March 2026 | RETS Associates
Breaking into commercial real estate can feel like a moving target, and there’s no single path that guarantees success.
As part of our ongoing advice series, we spoke with more young professionals about how they positioned themselves to break into the industry and what they’d do differently if they were starting over today. We’ll continue sharing insights from professionals across CRE.
Investment Analyst | Western National Properties
“When I was positioning myself to enter commercial real estate, I focused heavily on building a strong financial foundation and understanding key performance metrics used in the industry. Early on, I prioritized roles that gave me exposure to financial analysis, operations, and market research. That combination helped me learn the language of CRE which positioned me well to sharpen hard skills needed to perform in banking and investment roles.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to focus on learning the fundamentals as early as possible — particularly financial modeling, underwriting, and how to conduct market research. More so, CRE is a relationship-driven industry, and I would encourage my younger self to engage in conversations as early and as often as possible with industry professionals. This will help develop confidence and a network that will continue to pay dividends for the remainder of a career in CRE.
I would also encourage students entering the industry to be proactive about job searching and asking questions. Many people in CRE are willing to share insights and guidance if you show genuine interest and initiative.”
The Takeaway:
A strong technical foundation matters, but it’s only part of the equation. Building skills in financial modeling, underwriting, and market research helps establish credibility, while being proactive, asking questions, and developing relationships early is what really helps you gain traction.
Development Associate | Menlo Equities
“Looking back on my early career/college days, I realized your most valuable asset isn’t your financial modeling ability, it’s your energy. Genuine passion for the commercial real estate realm creates a natural bridge between you and industry veterans. It makes people want to mentor you.
View every opportunity as a gift and treat every interaction as a chance to learn. When you show up with a visible spark, the industry opens its doors in ways skills alone cannot.”
The Takeaway:
Technical skills can get your foot in the door, but energy and attitude are what set you apart.
Showing genuine interest, curiosity, and enthusiasm makes people more willing to invest time in you and can open doors that skills alone won’t.
⭐Stay tuned for more direct insights from CRE professionals!
