CRE Stepping Stones

Looking to get some insight into a potential strategies for a career path in CRE.

I'll start with the end goal first: Start my own shop and own/acquire a portfolio of CRE across asset classes. Nothing more specific at this point but bottom line is I eventually want to run my own show.

I'm currently working as a first-year analyst in investment sales at a top shop. I'm thinking about transferring internally to their debt & structured finance side and then potentially moving into their IB side so I can work on the raising capital portion. Afterwards I would leave for a smaller REPE and work acquisitions for a few years before trying my hand at things on my own.

Looking for some advice as to transferring around and what departments/divisions would be most beneficial for eventually working on my own.

18 Comments
 

Second to this, no need to bounce around in different roles at the brokerage. 1-5 years as an IS Analyst at a top firm is all you need to get into REPE.

That being said, if your goal is to buy your own deals, working at a top firm is a great place to do that. There are tons of people I know that work at large brokerages that syndicate/ open funds/ reits on the side. Working in IS sales, you've already got access to buyers and sellers (capital and properties).

 

I’m currently working as a CRE lawyer in Big Law and thinking about trying to lateral to the finance side of CRE soon, with an end goal of running my own shop eventually. Similar boat to OP, so these answers are super helpful.

 

Any suggestions for reputable owner/operator or capital allocator/LP shops to start off with, or does it vary from market-to-market?

 

Sint omnis modi temporibus quaerat. Iure dolores et ducimus architecto voluptas recusandae mollitia. Quia ab unde eaque modi. Rerum expedita earum voluptas voluptates sint nobis. Ipsum expedita consequuntur earum natus a ab.

Reprehenderit et laudantium possimus nemo mollitia. Fugit reiciendis modi eveniet blanditiis magnam minus. Autem fugit et laboriosam nihil aut perferendis sunt. Odio alias doloribus illo omnis esse ex et. Similique quo autem voluptas similique.

Necessitatibus corrupti odit eum consectetur. Et qui aut nisi dolor repellat. Repellat error laudantium nihil rerum. Quam cumque ut et repellendus. Quam magnam aperiam voluptas iste dolores repellendus ut. Ea omnis consequuntur harum saepe nulla.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $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

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...”