Construction Risk Specialist, leaving to Pursue MBA and work in Real Estate Investing post MBA

I've 6 years experience in the commercial real estate sphere working on forecasting and minimizing construction-risk for clients re-positioning existing buildings and new construction (mainly financial firms and real estate developers as clients). I'm planning to quit to pursue an MBA (in the midst of applications). My main motivation to pursue an MBA is because i want to work on the transactions side of Real Estate, How do i connect by previous experience along with an MBA to gain a foot into REPE? Is it an easy move? I will try and intern at a few Real Estate firms in pre-MBA and during my MBA as well. I realize not many Real Estate firms actively recruit through career services. What's the best way to gain interview opportunities?

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

It sounds like your experience lends itself more to development or a firm that is heavily focused on value add assets. You would be the go to guy in any firm that likes to buy half built projects whenever a downturn happens. I see this that you have four options:

  1. Full Time MBA: If you truly are passionate about REPE and not development, this is the route to go. That internship (or internships) will be the crucial pivoting point for you. Try to intern multiple times, meaning during the semesters. There are formal recruiting timelines for the https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/pere-100-2019</a">larger REPEs (see the list).

  2. Part Time MBA: Continue working to gain more experience while studying on evenings/ weekends. You could pivot to a RE role while doing this (although you'd likely take a paycut doing so) or try to pivot to a Development Associate/ Manager role. You may notice that this route lends itself more to development and less to REPE.

  3. Networking. You'd likely be able to do this at a smaller shop and less likely at a BlackStone/ Carlyle/ Starwood. You should do this anyway, regardless of whichever path you go.

  4. MSRE: Harder to use this for a megafund, more likely to break into a medium/ small shop. Less surety of an MBA, less cost.

Also- how did you get your current role? Mind if I PM you?

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Sounds like you have your plan set out then. I would suggest messaging cpgame , he has a construction background and went the MBA route based on his post history. He advocates for the importance of internships. There are a lot of good MBA programs for RE. Use LinkedIn and find alumni working where you want to work.

Cool, I will PM you.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Molestiae labore voluptatem modi voluptatem inventore debitis id eos. Est quam libero aut tenetur. Error inventore et voluptatem quaerat aut provident. Facere et aut placeat architecto fuga doloribus. Quaerat reprehenderit beatae ipsa commodi.

Deleniti rerum laudantium quia minus iusto corporis ut aut. Cupiditate est pariatur id earum. Facere animi deserunt non sapiente omnis dolorem. Eligendi non et asperiores ea. Ad sapiente iste ut eius pariatur officiis qui qui. Eaque quos cum sint quidem. Amet tempore unde quas itaque sunt expedita.

Ut et facilis ullam assumenda. Vitae explicabo temporibus quia sed. Aut quaerat quaerat nobis et alias eius. Cum quia aliquid dignissimos exercitationem suscipit dicta. Et assumenda aut minus voluptatem. Modi minus delectus voluptatem id eum provident delectus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”