Development region importance

Does working in a regional-focused development shop prohibit you from pivoting to other markets down the road? 
 

ie if you work in a tri-state focused shop but want to move to the west coast or a smaller secondary market in 3-5 years are you screwed because all of your experience is in the tri-state area?

4 Comments
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 
Most Helpful

So, tons of "it depends" in this type of question....

If your development experience becomes very market/region specific... then yes, it will be harder to translate that to other markets (like if you work a lot with zoning, community engagement, or even leasing/tenant engagement in some cases). 

If your dev exp. is more task/project specific... like finance, const. mngt, etc. then easier to make it portable. 

Still, getting hired by another firm in a different market can be difficult. I've recommended people for jobs at my firm in various markets who were from outside markets, many do get past initial screen and even into second rounds..... but.... they always get beat by a candidate in the local market with same type of experience. This is just an example, and our firm gets tons of applicants given repute in markets we operate. But, yeah, it is not super easy to move markets in development, but def not impossible. 

Certain property types (like multifamily) can be more "portable", and if you work for large, multi-market developer then internal transfer maybe an easier option. It is also easier to move from large markets (NYC/LA) to smaller markets than it is to do the reverse. NYC to Florida is probably easy because all the NY firms are doing it anyway. So, I wouldn't generalize or suggest you are "screwed", but moving market to market in development can feel more like a "jump" than regular career moves. 

 

Consequuntur mollitia voluptas libero aut est est unde qui. Mollitia ad ad aliquam consequatur totam. Reiciendis officiis perspiciatis ratione inventore est dolorem quod. Et provident molestiae incidunt quo esse voluptates sequi error.

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 (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”