April 2026 | RETS Associates
For many students and recent grads, the challenge isn’t just getting into CRE, it’s figuring out how to actually position yourself in a way that resonates with employers.
For our ongoing series, we spoke with two professionals who have recently made that transition to understand what helped them stand out and what they’ve learned looking back.
Financial Analyst | Rockefeller Group International, Inc.
“The biggest challenge for soon-to-be or recent graduates is bridging the gap between the classroom and real-world CRE settings. The good news is that professionals in this industry are genuinely inclined to connect with students – so the earlier you start building relationships and learning about the different corners of the ecosystem, the better positioned you’ll be when it matters.
My own path took me from a brokerage internship to the principal side for my first full-time role, and I’m now working in development. That progression wasn’t perfectly planned, but looking back, the exposure to different functions was invaluable – it gave me a much clearer picture of where my interests actually lived. If I could give my younger self one tactical piece of advice, it would be to seek that breadth intentionally rather than defaulting to whatever opportunity comes first.
Even post-grad, the best way to position yourself is to show up prepared enough to engage as a peer. That doesn’t mean pretending to know everything – it means doing enough groundwork that you can hold your own in a conversation about the fundamentals and ask smart questions from there. Which brings me to the last thing I’d tell my younger self: stay humble. Admitting what you don’t know or aren’t confident in is what gives other people the opening to point you in the right direction – that kind of intellectual honesty goes a long way.”
The Takeaway:
What stands out here is the value of exploration early on. Getting exposure to different roles helps clarify direction in a way that no amount of planning can. At the same time, credibility doesn’t come from having all the answers, it comes from being thoughtful, prepared, and willing to learn in real time.
Associate | Transwestern Investment Group
“For college students trying to break into commercial real estate, the easiest way to separate yourself early is technical skill.
Get exposure to ARGUS Enterprise. Ideally take a course or get certified. On top of that, a modeling program like Adventures in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) is a big plus.
When we’re hiring analysts or interns, we’re looking for people who can actually contribute right away. If you can build a model, understand what’s driving returns, and speak to your assumptions, you’re immediately more useful than most candidates.
The other piece people overlook is preparation. You should know what deals the firm has done recently and be ready to ask real questions about them. Not just what the asset is, but why they did it, how they capitalized it, and what risks they were underwriting.
At a minimum, you want to come across as someone who understands how deals actually work and is ready to learn quickly once you’re in the seat.”
The Takeaway:
This highlights how quickly expectations shift once you’re in the hiring process. It’s not just about interest in real estate, it’s about showing that you can contribute. Candidates who can connect technical knowledge to real deal activity tend to stand out immediately, especially when they demonstrate that they’ve done their homework.
⭐More to come as we continue sharing perspectives from across the CRE industry.
