How hard is it to work up from the bottom in CRE?

I have a tentative offer to work at a boutique Real Estate Development and Property Management firm (8m sq. ft.) for a summer internship but the title isn't that lucrative and the work would be due diligence and paperwork mostly. I'm more than willing to start at the bottom and grind my way up to the top of the field, but I want to know how possible that is in commercial real estate.

My ambition is to work in asset management or development full time. I graduate from a target school in a year so this is my last chance at a summer internship. I also have no prior RE experience.

 

If you want to work in development, then starting in a development internship sounds quite suitable. Even if they’re not investing in you, you can learn a lot independently through due diligence and seriously examining the paperwork that crosses your desk. You may have reservations since it’s not a big name corporate firm, but the boutique structure means that every employee wears more hats and positions are less compartamentalized. If you embrace the eclecticism and leverage it to gain exposure into the other areas of the company, it’ll be a serious learning advtange. It’s all in your own hands what you make of the experience.

 

This is like asking how hard is being successful. When you really enjoy what you’re doing the hard parts still suck but are at least interesting. Legalized gambling makes for an unbelievable job.

 

Of course it’s possible. It can be hard, confusing, demoralizing, frustrating, and painful but literally everyone’s experience will vary.

My path was more painful than it needed to be. Others luck into a good role right away. Many are simply born into it because their dad did it.

Doesn’t really matter though. If you want it badly enough, and you are capable enough, you can make it happen.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Veritatis incidunt aspernatur sapiente voluptatem repellendus illo. Voluptatibus esse facilis aut temporibus. Excepturi earum veritatis corporis deleniti. Est amet natus quasi fugiat vel ducimus nisi. Quas a dolor soluta magni fugit suscipit esse. Ipsum ratione occaecati possimus et vitae voluptatibus minima. Sit illum minus voluptatem architecto.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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

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...”