What first introduced you to a career in real estate?
I came into college thinking I wanted to work on Wall Street so I began taking finance classes at Wharton. Several of those classes are cross-listed with the Real Estate department and I realized I enjoyed learning about real estate. I still decided to continue to pursue a Finance concentration but looked to internships more specifically within real estate. What started as academic exposure to real estate led to an internship in real estate private equity during my junior year and then real estate jobs post-grad.
Can you walk us through your various job transitions?
I am currently in my third job since graduating so I have been able to experience several realms of real estate. I got my first job at Bellwether Asset Management, a small finance firm focused on asset management, through on-campus recruiting at Penn. There, I entered with an analyst class and learned a lot quickly. This job led me to realize I was interested in exploring a role more related to investing so I transitioned to Regent Properties, which was an acquisitions shop. After experiencing those two areas, I found myself interested in a combination of acquisitions and asset management, which led me to Artemis Real Estate Partners. Artemis is a cradle-to-grave shop, which means we touch all stages of an investment from the initial purchase and execution of the business plan through the sale. I was originally introduced to the firm through a Wharton SoCal Real Estate Group event in Los Angeles, and am going into my third year here at Artemis.
What kinds of activities in college best prepared you for your career?
My finance and real estate courses gave me the analytical skills and frameworks through which I could approach my jobs. In general, having a business background has given me a certain level of familiarity with most terms and concepts in real estate, which has been fruitful. Outside of my courses, I was mostly involved in activities outside of Wharton, including political organizations and a social fraternity. While I did not directly participate in pre-professional groups, my leadership within the clubs I was a part of helped develop my softer skills like working in teams and communication.
How has your perspective on careers changed after graduating?
Upon graduating, most Penn students are driven and focused on traditional avenues of success. As I continue to progress in my career, I have found that I tend to take into account fit and general happiness a bit more. This might mean considering how much time you want to spend with loved ones and whether your day-to-day work brings you joy and fulfillment. I have found it incredibly helpful to look to people above me in my jobs and ask myself whether I would want their job. This has helped lead me in directions that align both with professional and personal goals. Careers are a marathon, not a sprint so considering factors like wellness, impact, diversity, or whatever is important to you can help make each position more meaningful and fulfilling.
Loading...