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Breaking Into Commercial Real Estate

Updated February 24, 2026

If you’re reading this page, we’re assuming you’re an undergrad or grad student hoping to break into CRE. The spring semester is flying by, and graduation in May or June suddenly feels very real. Maybe you’re back on campus after winter break, maybe you’re counting down the weeks, and maybe the questions are starting to feel louder: What are you doing after school? Do you have something lined up? Are you applying? Of course you have great answers to all of these…right?

Here’s the good news. With graduation a few months away, you still have time, but what you do right now matters. Internships, part time roles, project work, and real world exposure are the fastest way to build credibility and experience. Take time to talk to anyone who will chat with you: your crazy uncle, your dad’s business partner, your mom’s friend, or your high school teammate’s dad. You never know what you might learn from them, or who could become a connection, a resource, or the person who makes a key introduction. Update your resume, start networking consistently, and apply early. Every step you take this spring will make it easier to land a strong role when you graduate in 2026 or shortly after.

New to CRE? Welcome!

Breaking Into CRE: The Challenge and the Opportunity

Breaking into the commercial real estate (CRE) industry can feel like a classic “chicken or the egg” scenario: how do you land a job without experience, and how do you gain experience without a job? Whether you’re a recent college graduate or a seasoned professional, everyone in CRE has faced this hurdle at some point.

Starting out in CRE can evoke a mix of emotions—excitement, frustration, and everything in between. Since 2003, RETS has focused exclusively on recruiting and executive search in the CRE industry. If you’re thinking, Finally! A firm to help me break in!—well, not so fast. Our clients, the employers in the CRE space, rely on us to find experienced professionals. Unfortunately, internships, while valuable, typically don’t meet the experience requirements for our searches.

As someone with three college-aged children (currently at Tulane and UCLA), I understand the struggle firsthand. I often receive emails, texts, and LinkedIn messages from friends, acquaintances, and industry contacts asking for advice or assistance in helping their children or referrals get started in CRE. We genuinely want to help, but balancing those requests with the demands of our clients means we have to be selective with our time.

That’s why, after 24 years in CRE executive search, we created this resource guide to support students and young professionals eager to enter the industry. It’s your go-to hub for actionable tips, industry insights, and practical advice. We’ve already posted 3 new articles this month alone, with more on the way. Whether you’re a college student, recent grad, young professional, or a parent helping your child navigate next steps, this section is here to make your CRE journey a little less overwhelming and a lot more possible.

Now’s the time to get started. Graduation is just around the corner!

-Kent Elliott, RETS Principal 

kent@retsusa.com

Now, It’s Your Turn!

If you’ve gotten this far, connect with me on LinkedIn and the rest of the RETS team. Be sure to follow our LinkedIn page for industry updates, job postings, and insights.

Shoot me a message and mention that you’ve read this—we’d love to hear your thoughts and know if this has been helpful!