Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the WSO community. Just wanted to post this and get some perspective from people who are in the same industry
I previously I worked in a small CRE brokerage firm where I worked across major asset classes focusing on off-market transactions. However, after the slow-down around 2022 from high interest rates I was running low on money and had to fall back on a teaching job in mid 2024. I don't really care for it, but it puts food on the table. My thinking was I could still work in CRE part time.
Since then, I've decided to learn how to model so that I can pursue a position as an analyst. It's not as lucrative as brokerage, but as I see it, working in CRE is better than not working in it. And, I can slowly but surely sharpen my acquisition skills as an analyst and one day work my way towards raising funds for my own deals.
So, I've taken the REFM course, and finished WSP Real Estate modeling course, and now I'm just practicing my skills analyzing new deals. My goal is to secure an analyst position in this summer (2026). I figured I'd wait until April or May before applying as I continue to polish my modeling abilities.
While I lack a college degree and formal work experience as an analyst, I feel like I make up for it in self-education, willingness to learn and improve in the industry, strong excel skills, experience as a broker, and informal work experience in the capital markets. With all this I feel like I'd be a really good candidate.
Would be very interested to hear what the members of the WSO community think
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown of your situation and actionable advice:
Your Background and Transition:
Your Current Efforts:
Networking and Timing:
Positioning Yourself as a Candidate:
Additional Tips:
Your plan is solid, and with continued effort in networking, skill-building, and positioning yourself effectively, you’re on the right track to securing an analyst role this summer. Keep pushing forward!
Sources: Thoughts on CRI (Chartered Realty Investor) designation?, Switching from Big 4 to Acquisitions: My Story, Best way to break into CRE coming from a computer science background?, CRE Credit Analyst Career Path, Finally Landed a Role!!!!
Bump, good luck!
The market is tough out there, I wouldn't wait to start applying, it's very unlikely you'll be able to time it the way you want. I'd start applying and networking asap. The lack of bachelors might be a hindrance, plenty of places use it as a simple filter of who to hire, something to be aware of and to ask about on coffee chats during your networking.
Thanks, appreciate the feedback
In this market, good luck.
Agreed with others, get out there and start applying. I don't think your resume will stand out so you will NEED to network, hard likely, to land a spot. You need to be able to show/communicate to people in person that you have the chops. Best bet will be a small shop. As well, you should start calling all your old connections from your brokerage days and keep those warm.
Makes sense. I had similar thoughts in regards to looking for a smaller shop to work with.
Like others have said it’s going to be an uphill battle. The demand/supply gap is massive for jobs right now in any industry, especially in CRE. I’ve heard plenty of anecdotal stories about firms preparing to run leaner in the coming years due in part to market conditions but also AI advancement.
To be really honest, you’re not that competitive of a candidate (on paper) in relation to your competition. Any legit Analyst/Associate job now has 100+ of applications and probably 25% of those candidates are applying from competitors already doing the same job but either don’t have a clear runway to advancing, got screwed on their year end bonus, are at firms that have run into liquidity/CF issues, etc.
Your best bet is finding a smaller, entrepreneurial shop and pitching your ability to work hard and learn and lean into your previous experience. You’ll be underpaid but you’ll also learn the most that way and can ideally take on a lot of responsibility to reposition yourself for a higher paying job either at a more institutional firm or a move up in title in 2-3 years, which will hopefully coincide with the market turning for the better.
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