I've done my research but haven't found too much data on this. I joined an extremely lean team as an acquisitions associate just over a year ago. I had some work experience prior to this (4yrs of sales at a top BB, then a year working on a much smaller banks structured products portfolio). Since I joined this team we've done just over $1bn in transactions and this summer I am starting the NYU master's program for RE Finance and Investment. Is ending up at a large institutional firm possible (thinking Brookfiled/KKR)? Mainly questioning this due to being an older associate and not coming straight from banking/brokerage/etc. will this degree with my work experience allow me to get on these firms radar with networking through school and alumni? I want to do the program because I want to learn and be able to brand myself as a more focused/specialist candidate, I also went to a non target so the NYU name is definitely helpful.
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I would consider waiting until you have a few years of experience at your current firm (assuming all stays well with it) and then look to move to next job with actual promotion, increase in role (not just pay). You could 'lateral' into a larger firm, and maybe you should if given the offer, but I'm sure the overall strategy of the move.
In short, I wouldn't rush it, your current role actually sounds good. I'd be leery about 'jumping' too soon. I'm assuming your going to go part time to NYU, so you can stretch that to like 3 years if you want to use the graduation bump. The alum network will def be a major play in any future moves you make.
I don’t think NYU MSRE would help you get to Brookfield or another megafund. Some mega funds take MBA grads but MSRE isn’t the same degree and it’s not viewed in the same light
Solid advice already given above.. I would suggest you look into MBA programs and dont discount the experience you already have, You will do just fine with a real estate focused program under your belt but in my opinion you will have more long term upside with MBA.
Agree with the above - would recommend you check out UNC's MBA program
I know a person who graduated from NYU Schack who started working at Brookfield a few months ago, someone else who went to Related last Fall. I know they also have alum at BX, Cerberus, PGIM, Silverstein, RXR, and tons others. It's a huge program, just law of big numbers.
I'm not going to disagree that a lot of the campus recruiting is going after MBA programs, but I wouldn't discount the NYU MSRE alumni base. Frankly, getting hired at those places is just very tough, period. No offense, but an UNC MBA (which is a great degree) is not a direct ticket to one of those jobs, not even HBS could really guarantee that.
You're doing all of the right things. I don't think it would hurt to actively pursue any and all opportunities that interest you, and I think you should be in the running for large institutional shops, of which there are a lot more than the two you mentioned.
You don't want to lateral if you're 3-4 years in your current role, especially if you have to start the promotion clock all over again. With 1+ years of experience in your current gig and prior experience, you should start looking for associate roles now. If you don't land one in the near term, it may make sense to wait it out at your current gig and see if you can get a title / pay bump there before accepting elsewhere.
All that said, if you don't think your current company is the right long term home for you, you should start looking for new roles, networking to find the right fit, and see what opportunities come your way. It's easier to evaluate offers in hand / late stage interviews vs your current gig than hypotheticals. Good luck!
Appreciate all of the feedback. Although I know it is extremely difficult to get one of those jobs, throughout all of my research about the best way to go about this I've repeatedly heard that an MBA wont give you any RE knowledge. Now I know this is where they recruit from but that process seems backwards. I also fully understand that an MBA holds a different weight compared to a Masters. I am going to hope that sticking with the MSRE from NYU, my experience which upon graduation would be 2-3 yrs of transaction experience, and networking my ass off as well as leveraging any personal connections I have can help me get there.
I honestly think you have a decent shot if you have all of the above going for you. This is coming from a NYU MSRE grad. I would say most of my classmates went on to small to medium sized firms or family businesses, but a handful go on to large institutions. It depends on your background and your network, as you mention. Good luck!
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