<p>Hi,
I am currently a junior in high school. I have not really thought about too many careers that I may want to go into; however, in the past I have thought about medicine, and law (partially because of family members being in those careers). Recently I have thought about a career in business that envolving either Real Estate or Stockbrocking. </p>
<p>If I were to choose one of these career paths I would probably major in Finance and minor in a language (for stockbrocking) or major in Finance and minor in marketing (for real estate). </p>
<p>Obviously with medicine and law you recieve a graduate degree (MD/DO, JD), but I am curious in careers like Stockbrocking or Real Estate do you see a lot of people with advanced degrees? What degree is most commonly pursued after undergraduate? (if any)</p>
<p>I'd like for you to tell me that I can be as sucessful with just a Bachelors in Finance. I know that for both careers I would have to pass a Licensing exam, but what's after that?
Thanks</p>
<p>If you want to go into residential Real Estate sales, no degree is required. Of course, many fantastic salespeople have degrees, but in residential it’s all about performance and degrees are unnecessary.</p>
<p>I’m not too familiar with commercial real estate sales, but I’m sure a finance degree would be preferred. Other areas of commercial real estate (REITs, development, etc) will require a finance degree (or a real estate degree). A real estate salesperson license is only necessary if you are selling real estate.</p>
<p>It’s impossible to predict whether you would need an advanced degree but many people in executive positions in Real Estate have MBAs (or comparable Masters in Real Estate degrees).</p>
<p>+1. Most business schools have real majors revolving around real estate investments. You will find people with MBA’s and Real Estate degrees but real estate people are all about connections. A big fat rolodex of solid contacts is essential to succeed in real estate.</p>
<p>Hi,
I have done some researching along with some thinking and this is what I have discovered. Like I said, I am a junior and I know there is about 4-5 years until this becomes a reality, and I may change but what’s wrong with researching? Anyway, here is what I have,
Real estate devolpment is normally practiced as a second career,
Using the money you make from your primary career you invest in properties.</p>
<p>So I was thinking what may I want to pursue as a primary career? I think Accounting is something I am interested in (CPA), or a Financial Advisor (CFP).</p>
<p>Obviously, to be an accountant, accounting would be a terrific major, but I am curious can I major in Finance and still apply and sit for the CPA exam? </p>
<p>After recieving my CPA or CFP I could work for 2-3 years and then apply for an MBA program in Real Estate Devolpment. Do you guys think a Real estate license is important at this point? Then I would beable to sell my own properties without having to go through a Real estate agent, correct?</p>
<p>Give me all your feedback because most of probably have more knowledge.
Thanks again</p>
<p>Hello Sac2009! You’re in the same boat I was in last year. I’m a HS senior, although I’m also a college freshman (I take all my classes in college and earn both HS and college credits). I too am very interested in becoming a stockbroker. But here’s some advice about pursuing a career in real estate. </p>
<p>DON’T. One, it’s very unstable, with a great deal of ups and downs. Second, the market is so saturated with real estate agents, that the competition can be overwhelming. Very few make big bucks in real estate. Most real estate agents only make an average living for themselves. </p>
<p>If you’re great with people, and feel confident entering a career in sales, coupled with an aptitude for finance, I think financial advising could be a great career for you, and it only requires a bachelor’s degree. Some financial advisors have an MBA, but sales experience is seen as more important than an MBA in this industry. </p>
<p>There’s about a 90% failure rate for stockbrokers, or financial advisors, or whatever you wanna call them, because you earn your living on pure commissions, and if you fail to establish a large enough client base, you won’t last long. Most people don’t last more than five years in the business, and then they move on to something else. The ones who stick around and make it through the initial lean period generally tend to make hefty sums of money. You often work rather independently, and can usually create your own hours, so you have the advantage of not feeling like a corporate slave in a cubicle on a 9-5 schedule. </p>
<p>Accountants make good money, but the career just doesn’t seem as dynamic to me. </p>
<p>BTW, I’m a finance major and I work at a stock brokerage firm.</p>
<p>LMAO @ that. Yeah, I’m sure the person heading up the development of the new world trade center buildings is just doing that on the side. By day he works as an accountant, dilligently checking numbers to ensure that generally accepted accounting principles are being followed. On the weekends he enjoys playing catch with his dogs, going to the movies, catching a good burger at a local joint, going to church, oh…and he also enjoys developing high rises and mixed use developments as his time permits.</p>
<p>VectorWega, I think there is a misunderstanding with how you interpruted what I said. </p>
<p>Real estate investment is something done as a second career using the money you earn from your primary career. (If devolpment should start because someone was able to invest in enough properties it may become a primary career) When I said devolpment I meant that you do it independently not working for a firm.</p>
<p>One can certainly do real estate investing part time. It obviously takes more time than stock investing but is quite doable if you are working a 40 hour work week. (less doable if you have a demanding job).</p>
<p>However, both real estate investing and development can be done as one’s career. Sure, there are guys that that fix up and flip houses on the side. However, most development (apartment complexes, low rises, mid rises, high rises, mixed use developments, schools, hospitals, land development, industrial, big block retail, single family home communities, golf courses, retirement communities, vacation communities, resorts, casinos, etc, etc, etc) is done by career professionals. Development companies are generally small in size and people do often start their own companies, but generally not before they have experience working for another development firm.</p>
<p>Double major/minor in Accounting and Finance. Get an audit internship your junior/senior year at a public accounting firm and tell them you’re interested in working on real estate and financial services clients. This will give you exposure to both industries and let you pick which one you like by the time you are full time. Work in audit for a few years at a big 4 firm and then transition into other fields after you’ve developed a solid understanding of these industries.</p>