Independent Contractor at a Smaller Brokerage

So the internship I really wanted with one of the major brokerages I was interviewing for didn't extend me the offer, was three rounds in and had high hopes. Sucked at first but now I got over it. 

I am interning now at a smaller sized brokerage in DC and really like the people there and they've been taking the time to train me about how to do a cost and building analysis, taking me on property tours weekly, taking me on existing client meetings, and the partner takes me and the other interns out to lunch at least once a week. It's overall been a great vibe especially compared to the other brokerage internships I've had in the past. 

The one thing that kinda stinks is I'd be a 1099 IC there like everyone else. The partner said that they immediately put the new associates on some of their existing deals they're working on in order to have some money coming in which I think is a good sign while we're expected to build our book of business in the meantime. This is not a Marcus & Millichap btw, it's a boutique brokerage that specializes in leasing in DC metro.

I'm considering going full time with them after graduation and was curious to hear of anyone else that had started out as a 1099 right off the bat. I've had some success already in sales type roles and am not afraid to pick up the phone/put myself out there even though I'll probably get No'ed a thousand times and was thinking to just start now and go through the growing places instead of delaying it for later. Can anyone share similar stories about this? 

3 Comments
 

From the way you described it, it sounds like the partners really care about the junior folks. What is your current living situation? Can you afford to go 6-12 months without a paycheque? Are the partners good producers? What do you want to do long term career wise? How much is the house taking on your fees?  

PropMetrica | Multifamily underwriting template
 

Et qui voluptates et ipsam qui alias. Eum dignissimos repellat recusandae qui et. Tempore saepe aliquid soluta voluptatem explicabo expedita totam. Corrupti praesentium quas esse voluptatem modi. Aut veritatis quasi debitis autem sunt.

Odit aut consequatur illo nobis ut consequatur est magnam. Et id quis amet rerum. Dignissimos temporibus itaque placeat qui sunt modi reiciendis et.

Sunt est nam officiis inventore reprehenderit dolor dignissimos. Officiis culpa nesciunt alias voluptas in et. Quia harum nemo ullam et aut animi adipisci quibusdam. Eaque doloremque tempore repudiandae quae ex omnis. Magni unde consequuntur quam in ut quis. Maiores aliquid qui et. Est commodi suscipit omnis ea libero.

Et eius corrupti atque ut optio et. Voluptas aspernatur harum magnam provident consequuntur ut harum excepturi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”