The commercial real estate field encompasses many professions: attorneys, brokers, bankers, mediators and more. As real estate students meet professionals and learn more about what they do, they build connections in the field as well as an awareness of the variety of routes to career success.

This was the motivation behind Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Miami’s networking program. At a CREW Miami event sponsored by the College of Business’ Hollo School of Real Estate, held February 3 at FIU’s Frost Art Museum, 100 students and 20 CREW Miami mentors gathered for an evening of networking and career conversations.

Suzanne Hollander, CREW Miami Education Director, attorney and real estate broker who teaches in the Hollo School, organized the event and encouraged students to meet as many professionals as possible.

“It’s speed networking! We’ll ring the bell every 12 minutes, and you’ll move from table to table and have an opportunity talk to leaders from many real estate professions,” she told the group.

William Hardin, director of the Hollo School, encouraged students to take advantage of the knowledge being shared and thanked mentors for their participation.

CREW leaders champion mentoring efforts.

For real estate professionals at the event, sharing their knowledge with students was its own reward.

“I’m a committed mentor,” said Maruta (Marti) S. Mang, senior vice president at Totalbank and this year’s CREW Miami President. “There’s nothing more exhilarating than being able to help a young person get on the right path.”

Mitra Mollaie, a FIU Business student majoring in finance and marketing who attended the event, earned a CREW Miami scholarship of $2,000 and is now working in real estate with an investment firm. She appreciated the opportunity to engage with working professionals.

“Being here helps me go beyond what I learn in the classroom, see what’s really happening in the field, and understand more about the industry.”