Master of Real Estate Development Student - Can't Find Jobs Anywhere

Hi All,

I'll be graduating from an MRED program in Summer 2026 and well... I can't find a job anywhere.

For some brief context, I'm a younger professional and got my real estate license in 2021 and finished my undergraduate degree in 2023. I have 2 years of experience with a top residential home-builder where I managed the company's acquisitions, refinances (bridge and construction loans), and dispositions across 3 states. 

Sadly, I ended up leaving this position because the company specialized in single-family residential products only and I felt that if I wanted to gain maximum exposure to the industry prior to obtaining my Master's degree-- I needed to shift into commercial real estate.

I landed a role at a firm that specialized in commercial acquisitions and while it was great at the time, I unfortunately had to resign due to the daily commute to LA from Orange County. I stuck it out for 6 months, but eventually the 3 hour drive home everyday is not feasible.

Upon my departure from that role, I landed a quick temporary role at a prop tech start up although my contract is expiring next month and my passion doesn't lie in prop tech so I'm looking for a new role.

I get that I'm not the most outstanding professional on paper due to my real estate experience starting in 2021, and not holding any of my previous roles past 3 years. But I can't even get a first interview with roles requiring minimum 2 years experience in the field.

Anyone on this forum have similar experiences? I'd love to get advice on how to push through this difficult period and other methods to find jobs (aside from LinkedIn/Indeed/Job Recruiters-- because trust me, I'm trying everyday).

Thanks all for reading this long note, appreciate your time and thoughts here.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

It has a lot less to do with your degree or you personally and just the job market right now. It is utter dogshit. Try not to take it as an indictment on your capabilities and just do what you can do to survive (mentally and financially) in the interim, even if it is in something completely unrelated. 

Building resilience is an incredibly important skillset to craft in commercial real estate, right up there with developing buildings. And I don't blame you for ditching the LA to OC commute. I almost did that commute myself but decided I didn't want to ring in 2028 swinging from a rope. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Bad news:

  • As you said, your work history is a bit spotty, so craft a narrative that doesn't make you look like someone who makes bad decisions
  • The job market is terrible right now

Good news:

  • Hiring / recruiting for a summer 2026 grad won't actually happen until the spring
  • Your MSRED (whose value can be argued many different ways) is a license to network, network, network, network, so use it to do so now, because after you graduate you'll get desperate and employers don't like desperate (just my opinion)

Godspeed

 

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