Master Thesis?- Should I just DM Spencer Levy at CBRE?
Hi, I am completing a Master of Finance degree and I have to write a thesis. I want to work in either CRE or more on the debt side with credit securities when I graduate. Does anyone have any suggestions for a topic that might be considered "innovative"? or interesting.
I was going originally write about something right out of PRIMIA, about FIRPTA's impact on transactions, RIETs performance measures or go annoy the head of CBRE's research for ideas.
BTW I have the contact info to various principals, MDs, and portfolio managers in San Francisco. I, a 22-year-old student, can probably get away with asking stupid questions.
Thanks in advance.
So, if you are going to do a master's thesis, I would strongly suggest you be hyper-tactical with it, it is a major league power weapon in getting a super cool job and building a heavy-hitter network at a young age. Hence why I quoted your work ambition, if it doesn't relate to the above, why spend anytime on it?
You get to have the ultimate calling card to contact power players, ask them about your project, follow-up, show them the final product (hence, it better be awesome). This is way better than traditional job networking or asking for informational interviews.
I did this via an independent study elective in my MBA, I got face to face meetings with MDs at large institutional shops and even a REIT CEO using my paper/project as the basis for reaching out. Ended up taking a boutique real estate i-banking job that was absolutely killer compared to all other options, this project was crucial in getting the shot and it impressed the hell out of one of the partners who decided to hire me.
If you are really deft, you could even get this published in an industry-oriented academic journal. Bottom line, these are big time opportunities, and a shit ton of work, so make it really really worthwhile.
Feel free to PM me if you like.
I've hung with Spencer over drinks - he's not a deal guy and is so far removed from that part of the business. He runs the research arm which is effectively just a marketing tool for the company to look polished in front of clients. Not to say he couldn't help but he isn't close to the D&SF vertical so has less pull.
Go the D&SF leadership (I think it's Brian Stoffers or Ludeman). They manage and oversee the producers and could be pretty helpful in hooking you up with someone if they like you.
Emphasizing this. I've successfully reached out to Chris Ludeman before from a mutual contact and was able to talk with him via phone for 30 min asking whatever I felt. May not hurt to just DM his LinkedIn and see what happens - worked for me
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