Hospitality major trying to break into real estate finance — am I at a disadvantage?
How do you guys feel about having a hospitality major with a concentration in real estate?
I’m wondering if this background makes me less competitive when applying for real estate finance roles. Would big firms filter me out early during the first resume screening?
I’m also trying to figure out what direction to take from here — any advice or perspective would be really appreciated.
I'd say the answer is yes and no. If the goal is real estate finance, why get a degree in hospitality instead of finance? A hospitality degree, to me at least, is essentially hotel management. Finance is kind of the standard "base" degree for entering the field. I'd personally rather see a finance degree with a concentration in either real estate or hospitality.
Thank you so much for your comment! That reminds me of the day I accepted the offer from my program. I also applied to a finance program, but in the end, the school with hospitality is better than the others, I mean in reputation. But, my interest in real estate finance has always remained, and during the program, I also attended some finance courses in the business school. I think my knowledge already meets the requirements for entry-level roles, but my concern is whether HR will directly kick off my application when they see I am a hospitality major on my resume
At this stage, the part of the process you have the most control over is your conversation with the recruiter. Without misrepresenting anything, emphasize the finance components of your coursework and experience. You can frame it to highlight your exposure and interest in a way that it reads as a meaningful part of your academic background.
You could also maybe add a “Relevant Coursework” section to your resume. Listing specific finance-related classes can provide additional context and may help your resume make it past automated screening systems.
Not impossible. You may find luck recruiting as business development analyst at a hotel management company or analyst at a hospitality investment advisory shop. I’d still spend time learning to model, understand the intricacies of asset valuation,and master finance terms as you network to secure interviews. Look up company’s that interest you and find away to get your foot in the door.
That makes sense! Thank you
If you are majoring at cornell - then no, elsewhere i would say yes, unless strictly hospitality finance, even then I think it would be an uphill battle.
OMG! I can tell this, Cornell really has a fantastic real estate program, and many of their alumni are in real estate finance. But that's why others can't.
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