A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is a company that owns, operates or finances income-producing real estate. REITs provide all investors the chance to own valuable real estate, present the opportunity to access dividend-based income and total returns, and help communities grow, thrive and revitalize. These publicly traded companies offer diverse career opportunities and are constantly recruiting for high potential talent. These companies are members of an organization known as Nareit, which represents the interests of these member companies. Nareit represents a large and diverse industry that includes equity REITs, which own commercial properties, mortgage REITs (mREITs), which invest in mortgage securities, REITs traded on major stock exchanges, public non-listed REITs and private REITs. Together, they own nearly $3 trillion of real estate assets. By making investment in these assets easy and widely available through the purchase of stock, Nareit’s more than 200 REIT members enable all investors—importantly, small investors—to own income producing real estate—something that once was possible only for large institutions and the wealthy.

REITs invest in the majority of real estate property types, including offices, apartment buildings, warehouses, retail centers, medical facilities, data centers, cell towers, infrastructure and hotels. Most REITs focus on a particular property type, but some hold multiple types of properties in their portfolios.

As you explore career opportunities, you should consider what type of property interests you and then match your skills and interests to that segment of the real estate industry.

For more information on careers in REITs, visit: https://nareit.selectleaders.com/.