April 12, 2026 | Connect CRE
Daniel Ceniceros – Connect Media
Every year around this time, I hear the same request from friends and colleagues: “Can you help my son, daughter, niece, or nephew get a summer internship in commercial real estate?”
And every year, my first question is the same: “Do they have a resume?”
Summer internship season has become one of the most competitive entry points into CRE, and too many students—and parents—underestimate what it takes to break in.
Today’s candidates are hustling harder than ever. I’ve seen it firsthand. Two students from Berkeley once drove hours to attend a Connect event, slept in their car overnight, and showed up ready to network. Another student from Northwestern was online at midnight on January 1, submitting his information for Blackstone’s internship program. That’s the level of determination entering this industry.
There are more resources than ever for aspiring professionals, and several organizations provide strong starting points:
- The CCIM Institute offers introductory CRE courses, financial analysis training, and certification programs widely respected across the industry.
- NAIOP provides education courses, certificate programs, and networking opportunities for development, investment, and operations professionals.
- BOMA International is ideal for those interested in property and asset management careers.
- RETS Associates offers practical career-entry resources, including its “Breaking Into Commercial Real Estate” guides and Resume Tips Video Series, designed specifically to help students and early-career professionals understand the industry and prepare for internships.
Beyond formal education, students should also be reading industry publications, tracking deals in their markets, attending events, and learning how different sectors of CRE operate.
Before asking someone to help secure an internship, every candidate should come prepared with:
- A polished resume
- A basic understanding of CRE fundamentals
- Awareness of current market trends
- A willingness to network
- And most importantly, the drive to compete
The bar is high, and that’s a good thing. The students willing to put in the work now are the ones who will build the future of this industry.
