For Young Professionals
Career Advice
This is the advice I regularly share with students and young professionals.
Career. It is a big word that is used regularly. What does it really mean? Let's start with a "job". A job is anything that you do in exchange for some benefit, usually a paycheck. You may love it. You may hate it. It might be similar to the job you had before, or it might be totally different.
A "career" is one or more jobs that tie together in a cohesive theme that is meaningful to you. It is something that you care about; that you feel is a progression. You nurture a career. You direct it. It has purpose. For example, my career has focused on operations, people and culture. It has crossed multiple industries from sporting goods manufacturing to technology to commercial real estate to education. The common theme is operations, people and culture. I didn't plan it this way when I was in my early 20's. Instead, I followed what I was good at and enjoyed. The theme emerged over time.
Someone else's career might be entirely in a single industry spanning multiple roles. Most commonly it builds on a specific skill set: sales, engineering, project management, etc. It doesn't necessarily have to provide you income but is arguably a hobby if it doesn't make you money (this article provides a good visual).
Phase I
Understanding the industry
Before you jump right into the CRE industry, it helps to understand how it works and the role within the industry.
CRE industry overview
An overview of the entire industry from asset classes to understanding the players involved and what each of them does.
Roles in the CRE Industry
How to understand the types of companies that make up the industry and the entry level positions available.
Phase II
Breaking into the industry
Once you have a sense that the industry is right for you, follow these techniques to expand your network, get advice, and land a position at a company.
Internships
Internship allow you and a company to test each other out without a long-term commitment.
The Job Search
The power of “warm” connections, and how to create them, to lead you to the right opportuntiy.
Networking
Let me demystify the fear of networking. But first, why should you network in the first place?
Mentors
A mentor is willing to share what they know to help you grow and succeed. They want to pay it forward.
The Interview
How to nail the interview, from preparation, to making a good first impression, to the interview, to sending a thank you email, to being persistent while waiting for a response.
Phase II
Being successful once you are in the door
Finding a job is just the first step. Once you are there, you need to learn, contribute, and grow.
Adding Value as an Employee
Once you have landed a job and are beginning the next phase of your career, how can you be successful? Here are my top 10 tips.
Culture
It can help you develop your career or it can be a huge distraction that doesn't allow you to see clearly. Learn how to figure out a company’s culture.
Habits
Habits are critical to success. The book Atomic Habits by James Clear talks about this in detail, as do many other authors. These are habits that have worked for me.