REPE Transition - Coming From RE Startup

Hey everyone, I have 3 YOE and just finished an M.S. in Math + Econ from a non-target state school (basically a degree in financial modeling and regression analysis - I would say I'm extremely comfortable with quantitative analysis in general). I have a B.A in Econ from a T5 university. Long story short, I work on an in-house RE+D team at a late-series start up. I've been in this current role for one year and have two years of brokerage experience (industrial) prior. Total comp is good but not great: ~$80k all-in HCOL SoCal location. It's worth noting that I really enjoy my job, but the exit-options / long-term career outlook for in-house CRE are not too appealing to me (low earnings ceiling, potentially monotonous work, lots of leasing but not much quantitative underwriting / deal analysis). 

Here are the potential paths I'm considering:

Does anyone have some relevant insight? I'm torn on this decision, as I enjoy RE but feel that I may be over-qualified from a technical perspective and thus not maximizing my earning potential. However, the idea of starting at a REPE fund and having a relatively clear path to Partner is really appealing to me for long term financial goals. If I do pursue the REPE route, where should I start? Headhunters? 

Thanks in advance for any commentary. 

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

A temporibus reiciendis rerum quo saepe qui debitis. Ipsam nihil provident vitae corporis. Quas enim natus enim totam.

Recusandae saepe autem sint et sed deleniti. Nihil ipsum eum est voluptatem laborum sequi alias. Provident reprehenderit consequatur nobis error ut aut eos. Sit praesentium et molestiae reprehenderit ipsam molestias ut. Autem laudantium non veniam ipsa.

Tempora modi dolore natus enim. Optio ut soluta excepturi ullam officiis et ipsum. Quisquam molestias consequatur expedita ut reiciendis praesentium ut.

Tempore ducimus labore laudantium quia animi. Aut et in laudantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • 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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”