Path to become a commercial real estate developer?

[Michael Kim]

I am currently a business student in University of Michigan, but even though this school is known to prepare students well for investment banking or consulting it seems like there really isn't a real estate program. I really want to get in commercial real estate developer field but I don't know any good companies to intern or work at to get my experience and what to prepare to get into that field as a college student. Does anyone have any advices?

[Geof Greeneisen]

Hi @Michael Kim, I got into commercial development via the commercial brokerage route after college. If I were going the direct route, I’d research the 20 largest developers in Michigan and approach them about an intern position. Most are located in the Southfield area, however there are several in Ann Arbor. Reach out to: Oxford, Promanus, Peter Allen, Wickfield, all in A2. Most of those will be smaller shops that provide brokerage and property management in addition to development.