Advice for Becoming a Luxe Real Estate Analyst as Philosophy Major Top 3 Public School

Hello,

I'm a rising senior at a Top 3 public university majoring in philosophy with, effectively, a minor in econ (3.7 GPA). I've always been interested in luxury real estate/architecture/the idea of making money by building aesthetically beautiful things. I originally planned to go into the luxury fashion business, working at a company like Ralph Lauren, LVMH, or Richemont, and have some experience in that area. However, towards the end of last semester, I discovered the craft of development, more specifically luxury development.

I will now be pursuing a development/acquisitions analyst position at a firm in the Northeast focused on luxury condominiums/apartments. Related is my top choice. This summer, I interned as a project manager at a small developer in the NY/Metro area that has recently completed a collection of luxury townhouses and a renovation of luxury office space. Earlier in the summer, I was pursuing a startup venture which my team and I ultimately abandoned due to new regulations which rendered the project financially infeasible for as a new market entry.

I plan to join my school's real estate organization this fall where they teach us mostly about modeling and connect us with industry professionals. I will also be pursuing my REFM certifications throughout this year.

I understand most developers are looking for a formal finance/real estate educational background, which I do not have. I have seen some people who've gotten jobs at places like JBG Smith with a poli sci background for instance. I feel I bring a unique perspective as a real estate professional who has worked in and planned to enter the fashion industry. Additionally, I think my robust liberal arts foundation coupled with the modeling skills I will acquire this year could contribute to a positively atypical perspective. My question: does this sound like a sound framing of my formal educational background? If not, do you have suggestions for alternative framings?

Any other advice for a humanities/liberal arts major planning to break in would be greatly appreciated. Also, liberal arts/humanities majors who've successfully broken in, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Thank you in advance.

P.S.

Two companies I've targeted so far are Related and Hines. I understand these are top players. Are there any other high quality, less competitive luxe condo shops in the Northeast I should be looking at?

2 Comments
 

In fugiat quia suscipit dolor necessitatibus vel nemo. Explicabo consequatur ratione sed est ut ad enim incidunt. Eligendi excepturi officiis qui eos et deserunt dolor. Ipsum nihil itaque incidunt et sit et.

barnum

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”