February & March 2026 | RETS Associates
Breaking into CRE can feel competitive, especially early in your career. To offer practical, real world guidance, we asked four current CRE professionals to share the advice they believe best positions students and early career talent for long term success in the industry.
This is an ongoing series, and we will continue adding insights from professionals across the CRE landscape.
Associate | Arc Capital Partners
“For undergrads or folks in early career looking to transition, the sooner you can start immersing yourself in the world of CRE, the better. That means subscribing to real estate publications, reading weekly articles, keeping up with transaction activity, etc, regardless of if you even understand what it all means.
Ultimately, this ties directly into the concept of learning through absorption. From reading about the industry, talking about the industry, and studying real estate concepts, you will pick up the lingo in no time. That “lingo” and ability to “speak the language” is a key differentiator between someone with 2+ years experience and a Junior in college, so even more impressive if you can do this while still in undergrad.
Piggybacking off that point, one of the most valuable things you can do is lean on your network and take advantage of every opportunity to “pick the brain” of someone who is in the industry, as frequently as you can. I don’t think this advice really ever gets old. Whether you’re in undergrad, early in your career, or have 20 years of experience, you never know what you may learn from just having conversations.
Don’t hyperfixate on what everyone else is doing. Focus on you.
Advice to my younger self: Ask More Questions.”
The takeaway:
You don’t have to understand everything right away, just start paying attention.
Read the articles, track deals, and listen to how people talk about the business. Over time, you’ll pick up the terminology and concepts.
Focus on building your own knowledge and relationships, don’t get distracted by what your peers are doing, and ask questions. The people who grow fastest are the ones willing to admit they don’t know everything.
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. Skills in financial modeling, underwriting, and market research help build credibility, while being proactive, asking questions, and developing relationships early is what 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 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.
Associate | Menlo Equities
“I think my biggest advice would be to build your network as soon as possible. Grab coffee, lunch, drinks, etc. and keep in touch with people.
People in our industry love connecting and networking, and are especially generous with their time when it comes to mentoring the next generation of Commercial Real Estate professionals.
Take advantage of being young and curious and get to know as many people as you can!”
The takeaway:
CRE is a relationship-driven business. The earlier you build genuine connections, the better positioned you’ll be.
Reach out, follow up, and stay in touch. Most professionals remember starting out and are willing to help if you show real interest.
⭐Stay tuned for more perspectives from CRE professionals!
