Looking to break into CRE but need some advice regarding certificates!
I've been reading about CRE recently which sparked my interest. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I graduated from CCSU, with a B.S. in Management Info. Systems, and virtually have 0 experience in this industry. However, I've recently accepted a role as an IT Associate Business Solutions Analyst at a F500 energy company. I already know that it's not something I would like to do.I stumbled upon these potential certificates and wanted to hear your input:1) eCornell - Commercial Real Estate Cert.2) GetREFM - REFAI Cert.3) UCLA - Using ARGUS Enterprise CourseThanks in advance!
If you have no CRE experience and are trying to get some exposure I would recommend the REFAI course. It's pretty broad and relatively affordable. The Cornell certificate is aimed at people that already have some CRE experience and ARGUS is more of a specific skill within CRE.
Thank you for your input. I was actually interested in the following after doing a bit more research:
1) ACRE - Accelerator (REFM)
2) GetREFM - REFAI Cert.
As you mentioned ARGUS can be learned on the job, but if I have no exp. or a RE degree, wouldn’t it be better to get it somehow?
Also, what type of positions should I be targeting? I’m looking for an Analyst positions, but get rejected lol. Preferably would like to get into Acquisitions/Development/Capital Markets.
A.CRE is not the same as REFM. Two different courses. I took A.CRE a year ago and it was extremely well done, but a very long time commitment.
I highly recommend following Break into CRE on YouTube. Guys name is Justin Kivel he makes videos on all things you need to know for a career in CRE. He taught me just about everything I know about CRE, which granted isn’t much. He also offers super affordable modeling courses. I went from knowing nothing about excel to being pretty proficient and confident using his courses
I actually just started watching his videos. He definitely knows his stuff and part of the reason I want to pursue a career in CRE, I just don’t know where to begin. I’m literally stuck lol.
What about real estate makes you interested in it? Need to know the answer to that in order to know what you want to do within the industry. It’s tough to answer, I’m still trying to find it for myself. And why do you feel stuck?
I want to like your comment. But you have exactly 69 bananas...
Get out to networking events hosted by NAIOP and ULI to start meeting people and become more known in the industry. It's a tight-knit industry and important to get talking to people in it to gain some credibility.
I spent 3 years trying to break into those exact same positions and did those same courses. It never happened, despite having a Finance degree and tangential experience in urban planning. I would cold walk into random developer offices with a suit and resume just to talk with people (people remember that and respect the hustle, FYI). Hell, I refused to take any other salaried job in a non-related field and worked as a delivery driver downtown because I figured I'd at least get to deliver to the CRE firms in the area (kept a resume on hand). It can be a bitch and a half to break into this industry, but once you are in, you are in.
Ultimately, I only broke in because I was willing to accept a brokerage position, on draw, at some tiny (but ambitious and growing) local boutique, to work on a new line of business that they hadn't done before. Risky, but it's turned out incredibly well so far. Hustle and gumption go a long way in this business.
I just checked the NAIOP & ULI events and there’s none located nearby. NAIOP is hosting one in Chicago, IL and ULI in Miami, FL lol. I don’t want to sound embarrassed or unenthusiastic, but I never attended events like these before, and wouldn’t know what to expect or who to approach.
I’ll try to keep networking, but would you ever recommend getting LinkedIn premium since it offers the ability to send messages? I cannot connect with certain people due to lack of a solid network.
At one point, I’ll go to NYC and/or Boston and try to do what you did by walking in and leaving my resume.
If you are in a market with a metro population bigger than 1m then there is very likely a ULI and NAIOP chapter near you. Other groups to get your foot in smaller markets would be your local chamber of commerce, downtown development groups, economic development organizations, NAR, or anything else to get you connected with the big players in your city's real estate game. They don't hold events constantly, but when they do, you should go to them. These events are super easy to navigate as you simply go up to someone, introduce yourself, and ask them what they do. Simple as that. The conversation will flow from there since everyone loves talking about themselves, so just listen and learn from them. Say you are exploring transitioning into CRE and wanting to learn more about everything.
Linkedin premium hasn't ever been helpful or beneficial for me, so no probably not. Not very helpful in applying for jobs and of dubious/no value to connecting with other people. It's like paying for premium on a dating site. If you're ugly you're ugly and paying for premium ain't changing that. Pick up the phone and call people, be present, invite people out for coffee and drinks to pick their brain, genuinely connect with people. That is how this business works as it is almost entirely about the relationship, especially if you want to move up and add value to your firm. Badges, certificates, premium, etc don't meam much in this business. All they care about is that you can model and think critically through the deal. Chances are that 95% of the people making these hiring decisions have never heard of these courses and getting certified means very little to them. It was that way in my case.
I got hired because I spent 3 years going to every event that I could, inviting anyone I could out for drinks and coffees, and making genuine connections with people. This built up a stable of highly reputable references that backed me up in interviews. This is called the real-ationship business for a reason.
Also, this isn't something you can do part-time or "on a weekend". You have to move to your target market and fully immerse yourself in the pursuit. No half-measures.
Hey Bobias, I love this story and the hustle to getting into the field without the grad school route. Mind if I dm you and get some thoughts? I've been looking to break in since last December, worked at a top bank for the past 5 years, and recently got laid off, but have my own portfolio of resy assets. After a few months, I'm starting to get a little anxious when I can make this career pivot.
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