real estate and engineering?

<p>Okay I have to admit, I HAVE MANY DREAMS (like owning the red soxs and becoming a billionaire, but those aren't realistic). The ones that are realistic don't seem to go that well. </p>

<p>I have been in love with engineering since freshman year of high school. However I have also been in love with real estate. I am going to study engineering in college, but minor in business. </p>

<p>Now a career that seems cool is real estate developer. Now my question is do you think this is possible to do with a mechanical engineering degree (I really don't like civil, but I guess I can try it) and minor or double major in business (also if the school I am appyling to doesn't offer real estate course, what should I do)? And after college, what should be my next step in terms of school and work? Also if you know anything about real estate development, please type it in?</p>

<p>THank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>First of all, one does not need an engineering background to become a developer. Obviously, a civil engineering degree would be quite pertinent to real estate, but a mechanic engineering degree is unrelated (but wouldn't preclude you from getting into real estate development)</p>

<p>While some may start their own development company right away, most will probably seek a career in real estate first (or a related field..ie. architecture, home building, mortgage banking, regional planning, etc). In order to land a job in real estate, one must do a lot of legwork and socializing with members of the real estate community. It is largely relationship based, so a non-traditional degree will not kill your chances, but you must show a passion for the industry.</p>

<p>The subject area most pertinent to real estate development is finance. If you were to work for a developer, it is likely that you would be running financial numbers (ie pro formas). Taking classes in finance will be far more beneficial than taking classes in real estate. If your school does not offer any "real estate finance" classes, I'd advise that you learn about real estate finance and real estate development by reading books (possibly even text books).</p>

<p>haha, my dad's a developer and studied mech eng undergrad but doesn't use it at all - he got an MBA which is what he uses.</p>