A word to the young: Don’t give up on us yet

EDITOR’S COMMENT: I received a number of emails last week in response to the words I wrote here about the fall of the RICS, and the need to build it back up – better. But there was one that really stood out. It stood out so much that the author agreed to let us print it (Why the RICS is failing graduates), albeit anonymously. The letter spells out why the leadership at the RICS should be ashamed of what they have let the institution become. This is a letter from a young person who has chosen real estate as a career, a young person who should be representing the future of our industry, a young person who is now wondering whether they are making the right decision. This is heartbreaking. And this, if we are not careful, is what will lead to the demise of real estate. If we cannot inspire, support, and enable the next generation to want to join the sector, real estate’s battle to do better is lost. The talent won’t come. There will be no diversity. Real estate will go backwards, and all those perceptions the general public has of the industry will be validated. Our author this week poured their heart and soul out in their letter. They can’t believe the double standards displayed by the RICS, and the irony of being asked to uphold certain ethics and codes of conduct by an institution that seemingly has none. On 9 September, the RICS said it would issue a public apology to the four non-executives it dismissed in 2019 as well as the governing council of that year. As of 1.45pm on 22 September, as I write these words, no public apology has been made. As we discussed around the EG table this morning, how long does it take to say the words “we’re sorry”? Well, I am sorry. I’m sorry for the author of the letter. And I’m sorry for every other graduate out there who is battling the same demons. Please don’t give up on real estate – it needs you.  As for whether you should give up on the RICS, I’m torn. I’ve had many discussions with many people who wonder exactly why they pay their fees, and the same number of discussions with people who see real value in being RICS accredited, of being chartered. For many, it is a badge of honour, a sign that you can be trusted to do the right thing, to give the right advice. For others it is meaningless and could easily be replaced by some other accreditation. What definitely shouldn’t be given up on, however, is ethics, rules of conduct and professionalism. These are the basic rules of being a decent human being and you do not need the RICS, RIBA, or any of the other bodies established across the built environment to govern those. You can be proud to stand up and say “I work in the built environment” because of how you behave, because of the work you do, because of the contribution that you are making. Yes, a governing body that is championing, challenging, and changing the industry would be nice. But we must all be individually responsible for those three Cs. So, to our author on p41, pondering how they will answer the question: “Why do you want to be a chartered surveyor?”, my suggestion would be to simply say, “Because I can be better”. You already are. If you want to see the very best of real estate, the second edition of the Future Female Leaders programme is finally back. Please do join us for what I guarantee will be the best event you’ve been to all year. It’s completely free – and in real life! You must register to help keep us Covid-compliant. No drop-ins on the night will be admitted. Full details can be found here. To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews