Newbie College Grad moving to Florida

[Andrew Dietz]

Hello, and good afternoon!

I've literally just graduated from Iowa State University with a professional degree in Architecture and a minor in Economics. After 6 years of college, I'm very anxious to enter the "real" world and found BP to be an indispensable resource.

While currently under a lot of pressure to find my first official job, I'm planning on moving to South/Central Florida as soon as possible to pursue an entrepreneurial career in real estate and investing. My unique educational background has given me extensive insight into both design and economics, with an emphasis on city planning. I believe this perspective can become a valuable niche for future investments. Now I'm ready to take the plunge and learn the financial aspects (deliberately) not taught in my courses. (I've read Rich Dad - Poor Dad)

I've got long-term ambitions to develop a portfolio of residential rental units in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America. I've developed a set of macro strategies for economically sustainable neighborhood development that I'd like to put to the test. (I'm surrounded in suburbia by vacant strip malls and box-stores)

Architects make pennies, and very few people are willing to hire them. It's a bureaucratic nightmare; I don't want anything to do with it. Instead, I feel that my education makes me particularly suited for property scouting. I'm seeking a mentor, and ideally I'd work as their assistant/shadow/intern to learn the ropes.

I'm free of any college debt, and I've got a small pool of savings. However, it's not enough to last more than a couple months in Florida without solid income. I'd like to get out there and start attending REI meetings asap. Can more experienced members make a recommendation?

I'm very excited to join the BP community!

-Andy