Moving Internally at BB in Regional Office

Hope everyone is having a good day. I will be starting at a BB in their fixed income trading MO team soon. I've always wanted to pursue a career in real estate and have solid internship and school involvement experience (part of that selective club/society). 

Now, even though it is a MO job at a regional office, the BB I am at is very open with moving internally, and at this regional office, there is a real estate investing team. Although a small team, it makes principal investments on behalf of the bank. They do hire analysts, and a lot of the time, it is not out of their traditional analyst program. 

After graduating undergrad I worked in MO ops on this team for a year, tried to go to a one year program (grad school) to have a shot at recruiting again, realized the market is worse off as an entry level kid and when I was offered my previous fixed income MO job again due to my positive performance from last time, I accepted the position and pay hike. 

I do see this as a great opportunity to transition internally and would like to do it in a year and 4-6 months after starting my current job. That real estate team also has offices in NY, LA and a couple of other large cities.  

I am very worried that transitioning into a real estate role from a non-real estate role could be a major problem for me, and I am worried. I would rather have my health bar at 0% than work this MO job for more than 2 years, I have never been more miserable in my life. It is a sad job and I do not know if I will be able to live with myself with said job. 

I need some advice from the community, especially people who have laterally internally at a large bank, even better if it is from a non-real estate role to a real estate one. How should I approach networking? What courses should I take to show that I can model and start the job on day 1? How does the transition internally at a firm work? Interviewing? ARGUS? Maybe the RE courses the firm has? Should I reach out to HR for access to these courses? Any guidance would be very helpful, as I'm very scared I will pigeonhole myself into a role that will kill my career. 


I would really appreciate any advice from the RE community here on WSO

Thank you, everyone!!

2 Comments
 

To transition internally from a middle office (MO) role to a real estate investing team at your BB, here’s a structured approach based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. Networking Strategically

  • Leverage Internal Networks: Start by building relationships with members of the real estate investing team. Since they are in the same firm, it’s easier to connect through internal events, coffee chats, or even informal introductions.
  • Find a Mentor: Identify someone in the real estate team who can guide you. A mentor can provide insights into the team’s needs and hiring process.
  • Show Interest Early: Attend any internal real estate-related events or training sessions. This demonstrates your commitment to the field.
  • Utilize Alumni Networks: If any alumni from your school are in the real estate team, reach out to them for advice and guidance.

2. Skill Development

  • Real Estate Modeling: Take a real estate financial modeling course. WSO’s Real Estate Modeling Course or similar programs like Training the Street can help you build the necessary skills.
  • ARGUS Certification: Since ARGUS is widely used in real estate, getting certified will make you stand out. It’s a clear signal that you’re serious about transitioning into real estate.
  • Internal Courses: If your firm offers real estate-related courses, reach out to HR to gain access. These courses can also help you network with others interested in real estate.
  • CFA or RE-Specific Credentials: If you’re already pursuing the CFA, continue with it, as it’s respected in finance. However, if you want to focus more on real estate, consider certifications like CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member).

3. Internal Transition Process

  • Timing: Your plan to transition after 1.5 years is reasonable. Use this time to build relationships, develop skills, and demonstrate your value in your current role.
  • Performance: Excel in your current MO role. A strong performance review will make it easier to justify your internal move.
  • Express Interest: When the time is right, have a conversation with your manager about your career aspirations. Frame it positively, emphasizing your interest in real estate rather than dissatisfaction with your current role.
  • HR Involvement: Reach out to HR to understand the internal transfer process. They can provide guidance on openings, required qualifications, and the application process.

4. Interview Preparation

  • Technical Skills: Be ready to showcase your real estate modeling skills, knowledge of ARGUS, and understanding of the real estate market.
  • Behavioral Questions: Prepare a strong narrative about why you’re passionate about real estate and how your current role has prepared you for the transition.
  • Case Studies: Practice real estate case studies, as these are often part of the interview process.

5. Avoiding Career Pigeonholing

  • Proactive Steps: By networking, gaining relevant skills, and expressing your interest early, you’re already taking steps to avoid being stuck in MO.
  • Short-Term Sacrifice: Use your current role as a stepping stone. The skills and relationships you build now will help you transition to a more fulfilling role.

6. Mental Health and Motivation

  • Perspective: Remember, this MO role is temporary. Focus on the long-term goal of transitioning to real estate.
  • Support System: Lean on friends, family, or mentors for support during this challenging time.

By following these steps, you can position yourself for a successful transition to the real estate investing team. Keep pushing forward—your determination and proactive approach will pay off!

Sources: A Guide for Switching From Commercial Banking to Investment Banking, Career Paths/Exit Opportunities, Switching from Big 4 to Acquisitions: My Story, Move from back office to middle office to front office, Career Path in Commercial Real Estate

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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