Deciding between two job offers

I'm currently starting my career in real estate straight out of undergrad and deciding between two job offers. Not the most glorious start but considering I haven't done much prior, a start nonetheless. The first is a full time internship opportunity doing valuations for a CBRE, JLL, Colliers, C&W type which wouldn't pay all that much but would likely offer me great opportunity should I do well. The other is an acquisition analyst role in a residential real estate investment firm that acquires distressed property and resells after value adds. This offer would pay me a salary to start so it is tempting to take for a fresh graduate, although I'm not sure how the growth and exit opportunities would be for a role like this. Does anyone have advice or insight? What would you take?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Personally would go with the internship. Valuation will provide an understanding of commercial real estate's fundamentals. You'd also be in an office that offers multiple services across CRE so you'd get exposed to more than just appraisal. If you do well it isn't uncommon to pivot out of one platform and into another with the CB/JLL/CW type. And an internship gives you more time to figure out what you like/don't like in the industry and consider other opportunities if the internship doesn't grow into a permanent role. Don't let the pay discourage you. All I can say about residential acquisitions is that it's a niche and will have narrower exit opps.

 

Reiciendis molestiae delectus aperiam similique nobis. Quibusdam et non quis. Temporibus laborum officia id voluptas reiciendis excepturi. Quasi nobis qui vel voluptas odit nihil. Amet earum accusantium aut. Neque ut eaque asperiores enim est sed nisi.

Perspiciatis eum id reprehenderit nisi. Magni veniam sunt facilis sed sunt sunt magni. Dignissimos numquam corrupti deleniti provident voluptas. Nulla qui dolores est ipsa sed. Quae dolores adipisci corrupti pariatur. Quis sed saepe eum ex quia.

Quia repudiandae consequuntur porro rerum aspernatur magni. Quisquam nisi qui saepe nihil.

Commercial Real Estate Developer

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”