Breaking into Commercial/Development Real Estate

[Gavin G.]

Hello BP friends,

I want to set my career on a commercial/development real estate career trajectory. I know most members here started from scratch and overtime slowly built a real estate portfolio of their own--which is so cool. I definitely see the appeal of that and would like to do that in the near future too. However, at this early time in my life, I'd like to start at a commercial/development real estate investment firm that is established. Currently I work on the buy side of finance, and although a like it, I really see the appeal of potentially being in on deals through having equity in them (I know you have to work your way up to get in on that and don't expect that anytime right away). And with my current trajectory in my job, I don't see that potential for massive amount of growth (think big right?).  With that being said, I was wondering if anyone would have advice for someone young--23 years old--and how they might break into that?