What’s it really like studying for a career in property?

MAINLY FOR STUDENTS As the new academic term gets into full swing, EG asks current real estate undergraduates what it’s really like studying for a career in property. Be open minded, take a placement year and interact with tutors, fellow pupils and property professionals willing to share their experience. That’s just some of the advice for new real estate undergraduates from seven established students featured in EG. From distance learners to those on work placements, all share a passion for the industry and a vision for the varied pathways they hope to take into the profession. Here they share their motivations, role models and experience to date. The inspired pragmatist Alice Stephens, final year, BSc Real Estate, University of the West of England What motivated you to take a real estate course? My initial interest in property came from watching programmes such as Homes Under the Hammer and Grand Designs. After looking further into property courses, I realised how many opportunities there were. How are you finding the course? Well-structured and interesting. Each year I have covered an array of modules, including planning, law, property management and general building construction. I’ve enjoyed valuation the most. What will you do on completion? Get onto a graduate scheme in Bristol, complete my APC and become a RICS surveyor. My long-term ambition is to successfully progress up through a firm. Has your view of your longer-term career changed since starting the course? My career aspirations have become a lot clearer. My placement year at Colliers gave me great insight into the out-of-town retail and automotive and roadside sectors, confirming the commercial pathway will be my chosen route.  Advice for new real estate undergraduates: Undertake a placement year or relevant work experience. My placement year put everything I learnt in my first two years at university into context and gave me greater understanding of the property world. Who is your role model? Elena Marco, head of department for architecture and the built environment at UWE. She is a great inspiration by showing what can be achieved by females in this profession. The team player Olly Roberts, second year, BSc Real Estate, University of Reading What motivated you to take a real estate course? My first real interest in property came through playing Monopoly as a child. I learnt how buying property and building houses or hotels could make you more money and that the best locations have the best rental growth. Later on, work experience with my dad and then with DTZ and Savills opened my eyes to the possibilities of an interesting and varied career. How are you finding the course? I am really enjoying it. In my first year we had several modules: investment appraisal, planning and building, two law modules and, my favourite, the projects module. Working as a team, we studied the various tools, people and decisions that impacted on the development of Reading’s Oracle shopping centre. We also constructed a cash flow for a fictional multi-let office block to work out which option was best – do nothing, full refurb, rolling refurb or redevelopment. I found this fascinating. What will you do on completion? I would like to join one of the big agency firms and work on the lettings side or move into investment. I would like to take my APC and qualify as quickly as I can. Advice for new real estate undergraduates: Keep on top of your work and attend as many of the optional talks and insight days as you can – these tend to be beneficial for networking and learning new things from people who have industry experience. It is important to socialise with your course mates too; they are all potential future colleagues, clients or rivals. Who is your role model? My dad. I respect the graft he puts in to push a deal over the line with minimal protest, his ability to spot opportunities and work in a team. The global traveller Henry Wigzell, third year, BSc Real Estate, University of the West of England What motivated you to take a real estate course? I was introduced to surveying by family and friends, chief among them my father who is a surveyor and my role model. I started with work experience at QS and surveying firms and enjoyed the mix of skills needed. I wanted to study a vocational degree with a professional qualification. How are you finding the course? It’s going well and has put me in a strong position for my ongoing, third-year placement with JLL, London. In the first few months working in industry, I’ve learned a huge amount and enjoy applying my studies to real-life situations. What will you do on completion? I aim to join a graduate programme within a surveying firm, completing my APC. My long-term ambition is to spend some time working abroad, ideally in Asia. Advice for new real estate undergraduates: Take a four-year sandwich course, as it offers a much broader perspective of the profession. I’ve only been with JLL for a short time but the experience has been excellent.  The big thinker Joe Kemp, fourth year, BSc Real Estate, Nottingham Trent University What motivated you to take a real estate course? Real estate is an extremely interesting asset. My first exposure to the industry was during school – I spent a week working in a local estate agent on work experience. During sixth form I researched property careers and the different jobs available within the industry. I discovered that becoming a chartered surveyor would give me the best opportunities. How are you finding the course? The lecturers and staff are extremely helpful and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. The modules are structured well to fit with what is needed in the workplace and the competencies that are required for the APC. The course offers the opportunity to spend a year working in industry. I was able to spend 12 months at JLL and one month at Savills – both extremely valuable experiences. What will you do on completion? Join a successful real estate firm and complete my APC. I have ambitions to progress into a senior industry figure in the long term. Advice for new real estate undergraduates: Gain as much experience as possible. Practical experience is interesting and helps with university work, networking and job prospects. The skilful balancer Karen Skelhorn, third year, BSc Real Estate Management, University College of Estate Management What motivated you to take a real estate course? I secured employment with Ports of Jersey, initially starting as an administrator. POJ incorporated from a state department to a commercial entity and during this time I had lots of involvement with property. This is where my interest really began. I later transferred to the property department and was given the opportunity to develop my understanding of the role with a distance learning programme. How are you finding the course? As a mature student with a young family, organisation is key to ensuring deadlines are met. It can be challenging but not unachievable and the reward is extremely worthwhile. What will you do on completion? POJ is a maritime and aviation business and I am becoming more involved in the everyday estate management, turning learning into reality. I am due to complete my BSc in August 2020, and may consider a further period of study or APC. Has your view of your longer-term career changed since starting the course? I have been involved in various roles within the built environment but never considered it as a career. Since managing study commitments alongside work, I believe I have engaged in a long-term career in property, which I really enjoy. Advice for new real estate undergraduates: If you are interested in real estate and you like to be challenged, then a career in property is a great opportunity. My days are full of interesting learning opportunities, with no two days the same. The convention challenger Emily Funnell, third year, BSc Real Estate Management, University College of Estate Management What motivated you to take a real estate course? I started as an apprentice secretary for a consultant surveyor, Peter Banks. I liked the visibility of the work outside the office and wanted to be more involved in the industry. How are you finding the course? It allows me to study around a full time position at Banks Long & Co. I can apply the learning to my work and have experienced colleagues on hand for advice. Although balancing study, work and free time is a constant challenge. Has your view of your longer-term career changed since starting the course? This course has uncovered opportunities but I am excited to be on my current pathway. Landlord and tenant work has really piqued my interest. Advice for new real estate undergraduates: Go in with an open mind. The course is so diverse that there really is something for everyone.  Who is your role model? Those who have achieved success in spite of conventional thinking. Peter provided the main inspiration for my career but all my colleagues have been supportive of my unconventional path into surveying. The working wizard Thomas Shaw, fourth year, BSc Real Estate Management, University College of Estate Management What motivated you to take a real estate course? I was looking for a university degree course that could provide comprehensive tutoring, allow me to gain work experience and earn at the same time. I now have the ability to work full time as a trainee surveyor while distance learning for my degree. How are you finding the course? A variety of topics offer a well-rounded set of skills for a career in real estate. There is a lot of flexibility to maintain a work-life balance and there is a level of self-discipline needed to complete the assignments and exams. But the extra demands have not been too problematic. What will you do on completion? Complete my APC and become a RICS chartered surveyor. I am hopeful the accreditation will help me further progress my career in commercial property management. Has your view of your longer-term career changed since starting the course? My initial aspirations were focused on a valuation pathway. Undertaking valuation reports may still form part of my long-term career, though I am concentrating on commercial real estate and property management. Advice for new real estate undergraduates: Real estate courses provide a good alternative to conventional university degrees, and I would advise students to interact with the tutors, property professionals and fellow students willing to share their ideas, wealth of knowledge and experiences. Who is your role model? JK Rowling. She is a reminder that anyone can eventually succeed if you are passionate and work hard. How do you make sense of the opportunities available in real estate? Click below to listen Mainly for Students is edited by Paul Collins, a senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. He welcomes suggestions for the column and can be contacted at paul.collins@ntu.ac.uk