Real Estate: a sector with vast opportunities for career advancement

Careers in corporate real estate, advisory services, cross-industry careers and brokerage have vast opportunities for advancement. Work in a fast-paced environment, shape where and how work gets done, provide special knowledge and expertise, and learn something new every day.



There’s more to real estate than selling homes
When most people think of real estate, they think of agents who specialize in buying and selling homes. In reality, the industries involved in real estate are wide ranging and varied, including everything from agents to architects to brokers. 
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5 Things Top CRE Brokers Do Every Day
It’s no secret that commercial real estate is a competitive business. Brokers must be willing to work hard if they want to succeed, and even then there are no guarantees. Top brokers, those seemingly flooded with opportunities and referrals, cracked the code by applying a mix of hard work and smart tactics that ultimately lead to success.
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Spaces matter.
Corporate real estate professionals have strategic responsibility for billions of square feet of property globally from acquisition through development and disposition.
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Places matter.
Every corporation needs a place to conduct its business. Places for employees to work. Places for research and development. Places for manufacturing or distribution.
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Experiences matter.
The physical spaces and places where work gets done are a vital part of a corporate brand, company culture - and the employee experience.
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Realty/Brokerage

Office and industrial realtors work in a fast-pace environment, with vast opportunities for career advancement and growth potential, and diverse career options.

A real estate broker is a person who acts as an intermediary between sellers and buyers of real estate. Brokers typically receive a payment called a commission for successfully matching a seller’s real estate with a buyer, resulting in a successful sales transaction. Brokers and their salespersons who assist in marketing, selling, or leasing properties are commonly called “listing brokers” or “listing agents.” Listing brokers and agents seek to market, sell, or lease the property for the highest available price under the best available terms.

Brokers who achieve the highest levels of success and adhere to rigorous professional standards belong to the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), representing the world’s elite in industrial and office brokerage.

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Corporate Real Estate

Corporate real estate professionals manage diverse real estate portfolios in multiple locations. They work in all classes of property, land and buildings, including offices, data centers, manufacturing facilities, logistics centers, corporate headquarters, distribution facilities, retail stores and hotels. Most corporate real estate professionals hold undergraduate or graduate degrees. Many have degrees other than real estate. Most training is provided after graduation by a professional association or hiring company.

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Cross-Industry Careers

A successful real estate team requires a wide variety of people with different expertise and backgrounds. People with diverse skills can discover a great career in real estate.  There is not one single career path that predicts success in this industry. For example, there are real estate companies that have their own general contracting firm which makes them capable of developing the project cost effectively while managing the project in house.  This means that people with construction, civil, mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering are involved in real estate companies. On the other side, on a development team there are architects, interior designers, financial analysts, data analysts and marketing specialists.  Real estate companies either self-manage their own assets or hire a third-party management company to provide services that meet the owner’s goals and objectives. Broadly, these job functions fall into the following categories: finance/accounting; talent development/human resources; legal/risk management/safety; sales/marketing and communication.

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Real Estate Advisory Services

A developer seeking to take a project through the entitlement process, a pension fund evaluating the performance of its real estate portfolio, or a company planning to sell an office building may turn to a consultant for advice and assistance. Real estate consultants may provide a full range of services including market analysis, feasibility analysis, real estate research, site selection, environmental impact studies, and so forth. A number specialize in a particular product category, such as apartments or retail. Clients value consultants because they maintain extensive market databases and provide special knowledge or expertise than can be used to develop more business, reduce costs, improve the performance of investment portfolios, or achieve other business and investment goals.

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Explore Career News & Insights

Realty/Brokerage, Corporate Real Estate, Cross-Industry Careers & Real Estate Advisory Services

Students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia recognize CRE
Students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia tell us what they value about working in corporate real estate (CRE).
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Exploring Careers in Commercial Real Estate
There are many exciting and diverse careers in commercial real estate (CRE), including architecture, brokerage, construction and development, law, property and asset management.
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CREW Up: Does Gen Z Want to Work in CRE?
They’re too demanding, they’re entitled, and they want it all—this is pretty much what we hear or read about Gen Z. But they’re also creative, tech-savvy and eager to learn.
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Why CRE?
Why CRE? There are many paths into, and stories of successful professional careers in Corporate Real Estate.
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CREW Network Foundation Awards 30 Scholarships to Commercial Real Estate Students
Scholarship program has granted nearly $1.3 million USD to female students pursuing commercial real estate careers
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Connect with Universities with Real Estate Programs
Connect with universities that offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in commercial real estate.
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UCREW: Consider a career in commercial real estate
UCREW introduces college students to the many diverse opportunities in commercial real estate.
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CRE Internship Connect
CoreNet Global has an entire website dedicated to connecting interns to internship opportunities in CRE.
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Commercial Real Estate Alliance for Tomorrow’s Employees (CREATE)
CREATE educates a diverse workforce and connects career-ready candidates to employers in the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry.
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The Daniel W. Chancey Leadership Academy
The Daniel W. Chancey Leadership Academy, hosted by the BOMA Fellows, is a mentoring program that provides guidance and support to BOMA members who are interested in leadership positions with BOMA International, whether as committee members, chairs or vice chairs; or even as potential Executive Committee members or Officers.
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Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Commercial Real Estate
Are you passionate about enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the commercial real estate industry? If so, consider joining BOMA International’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. 
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Careers in Real Estate Management
“What would a career in property management look like?” Read IREM’s booklet, Careers in Real Estate Management, for a quick overview of the many different career paths and opportunities open to you in property and asset management.
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Things You Can Do to Advance Your Career

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Things You Can Do to Advance Your Career

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