BiggerPockets

Hi BP,

I am trying to find a way get involved with real estate, utilizing my school and education. Ideally, I would like to work for a development company, but are they hiring now?

I am not that educated on real estate, but I will do whatever it takes to learn.

Coming from a good business school, in a big city (Twin Cities) I want to find out how to get involved in this niche. I also wouldnt mind interning in NYC or Chicago. Thus far, I have attained a list of people in the industry from our alumni network and also found some companies that are affiliated with the school.

I was wondering if they know of anybody hiring in this economy for summer internships and what is the best way to approach them? What do they look for on a resume? What is a good way to get started (join clubs/associations, any good certifications to get, etc.)

If anybody has any insight on how you got a job/what an introductory real estate job entails PLEASE share it, any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Kyle

I am also trying to get hired by a commercial real estate company in Dallas in a financial anlalyst position. Although I haven't yet tried going to places and handing my resume instead of just applying online, I have noticed a few things. Most places, in addition to wanting you to have advanced Excel skills, are looking for competant Argus users as well.

I have not been able to find any help on learning Argus DCF anywhere online except for their site, and the training is all expensive. I have downloaded the trial version and played around with it a bit, but every one says the software is not very intuitive, even though it is the industry standard, and my first impression is the same. Anyone have any tips on learning the software?

I'm not sure if this helps Kyle, but I thought I would post my experience, or lack of, as well. :)

If you're looking for a real estate job in order to learn more about investing, don't bother. There'smore than enough info online and in courses for you to learn how, and still do whatever you love for a living.

If you just love real estate, realtors, lenders, etc, and and want to be around them all day long, then I'd look for a job for one of them.

Look around your local want ads, etc, to find out if any of them are hiring. Most jobs in real estate mean becoming an agent or loan officer, which pretty much means startin your own business.

Yes, if you don't love real estate, you probably shouldn't get a job in it. However, while there is tons of information floating around the web, including much of it on this site, and there are courses to be taken, I still think that the experience and knowledge of working first hand on a deal with an established commercial real estate company would be the best education possible. You get to see first hand exactly how things are done, and if you are a little hesitant before hand, that may just be what you need to jump start your own investing. However, you are obviously the only one that can make that decision for yourself, that is just how I see it.

Derek