What additional experience/credentials can I get to set myself apart?
Graduating from undergrad in the next year, have a solid list of internships under my belt which I know tends to be the most stressed thing people lean on. As I’m looking at my career long-term, specifically within real estate, I’m trying to see what I can do now to set myself apart from other applicants. Would investing the time into a CFA/CAIA be worthwhile for real estate in particular? What else can I do to make myself a solid candidate for post graduation and even 10 years from now if I decide to switch jobs/careers? I know an MBA/MSRE/MRED is an option, but looking to see if there’s anything else as well.
I am in a similar situation. I moved into RE 'officially' two years ago as a M&A Associate through my network (this took me 9+ years to achieve). I work in a niche part of RE and I am now looking to lateral. However, I am finding it difficult to get any traction, presumably because of my background/age vs my peers.
So, while I can't tell you what will help, I can tell you that CFA (I have passed CFA level I) and being a qualified accountant won't really help. This is not to say they're not valuable qualifications. In M&A I find myself 'running circles around' my peers based on my broader/deeper knowledge of both accounting and the financial markets. However, you can't write this on a CV or a cover letter without looking terrible so it ultimately doesn't help that much. CFA specifically can help if you want to move into fund/asset management (I started CFA while working in an investment team at a Pension Fund) however this is quite a specific goal and it sounds like you're unsure where you want to end up.
From what I have seen, an MBA would be the ideal way to move forward, especially as it seems you're unsure on whether RE is where you want to end up. However, I would do the MBA when you've made this decision as it is easier to make the move during the MBA rather than after (this is from what I have read rather than experienced). What I mean is, do a few years in a RE and see if you like it or not and then decide. This will also make your CV more competitive when it comes to applying so it would be win win.
For now I would say focus on the modelling side of things and get a recognised modelling course on your CV (for example: A.CRE Financial Modelling Accelerator: https://www.adventuresincre.com/accelerator-intro… or Mergers & Inquisitions The Ultimate Real Estate Financial Modelling Course: https://breakingintowallstreet.com/real-estate-mo…). Do you research into modelling courses yourself and see which one you prefer the sound of. Having a deep understanding on modelling from day 1 is incredibly beneficial as 1) you can actually be value add to your team immediately 2) the model really is the 'business case' and understanding it can really help you get to grips with why this deal is sitting on your desk vs others (this also helps when building out commentary for any IC/investor requirements/comments).
The short answer is no. Any potential employer is going to care about your track record and demonstrable skills, not some "qualification" which has little to no meaning or application to your day to day job. That's more of a banking thing, where candidates tend to be more or less indistinguishable from one another.
I would encourage you to think like an owner when you're doing your job. Ask why things are done the way they are, how the process got to that point, etc. Consider possible risk or fracture points in an underwriting and think about how to solve them proactively instead of reactively. That kind of thinking will impress employers more than having spent 20 hours in a modeling course, because most real estate is about risk mitigation. Modeling is meaningless compared to that, and yet most junior folks think being able to underwrite a deal is the be all and end all of their job. Showing that you understand that it is the execution that matters will set you apart by itself
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