Working for RE Developer -trying to transition to NYC

Hey guys,

I am currently working for a RE Developer in a smaller market in New York State. Our company is involved in all forms of developing around the area as well as some deals outside of New York State. We do some great work from multifamily, office, residential, retail, etc. I previously interned for a RE PE firm out of Chicago for a few summers as well as with Cantor Fitzgerald in their Equity research department. I graduated in three years (from non target small school- went for division 1 sports) with a Finance degree while also playing a Division I sport.

Enough with the background, long story short is my goal was to work in NYC on the buy side - continue in development or do something on an acquisitions team. I have been at my current job for about 5-6 months and this is my first full time position.

I am curious what advice or things I should do to try to get to NYC. I have an idea of what it takes, and I am networking as much as I can out there. I understand brokerage is a great business to be in, but the opposite side of the business interests me more. Will I have to step back from development and get into brokerage to break into NYC? Any advice or pointers would be helpful.

Thanks guys.

8 Comments
 

Wow.....I couldn't mirror this scenario any harder if I tried. I'm in a VERY similar position: first full time job started 5 months ago, went to big school for finance, know that I probably could get a good job in nyc cause of my connections but the current one I have is almost too great to leave. I'm also working for a developer and I have a lot of responsibilities and am learning a ton. I love my boss, work very closely with the owner/principals of the company, and am getting compensated fairly well. From a career path point of view, the dumbest thing I should do is to just jump ship for a job I might hate. Unfortunately though....I too want to go work in NYC, the finance side of me is burning to go to wall st. All my RE background before accepting this job was on the strictly financial side but I thought it'd be fun to get exposure to the construction aspect of it. I do like everything about it so far but I still can't stop thinking about making the jump. I just finished reading 'King of Capital' about Blackstone's story and it goes in depth about Jon Gray and the EOP deal. Basically just god teasing me with cool REPE stories...I have an old lead for a cap mkts role with a big broker that is supposed to surface in ~8 months so I already know my out if I choose to go this route. I'm beside myself though and I'm curious what the rest of the forum thinks. I've gotten the best career advice on here in the past.

 

Like yourself, I am in the same position haha. However, I am located in a Midwest secondary market with goals of heading to NYC in the next 2-3 years. About to start working at a top CRE brokerage firm in their debt team but know NYC is the destination and have several contacts/family out there.

Let's hope someone can provide some quality info on how to transition!

 
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