{"id":27792,"date":"2017-01-31T07:25:36","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T12:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=27792"},"modified":"2020-02-28T13:58:36","modified_gmt":"2020-02-28T18:58:36","slug":"fiu-real-estate-speed-meet-where-every-match-is-a-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2017\/01\/fiu-real-estate-speed-meet-where-every-match-is-a-winner\/","title":{"rendered":"FIU real estate speed-meet: where every match is a winner."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FIU<\/p>\n

Florida International University (FIU) real estate students are often so caught up with classes and jobs that pondering the many career options within their industry often ends up on the back burner. But that changed at an event last fall, when professionals from nearly every nook and cranny of the real estate sector braved a driving rainstorm to participate in a round table networking event at FIU\u2019s College of Business Complex. The event brought together FIU students, Hollo School of Real Estate faculty, and top professionals from across the spectrum of real estate fields, including several commercial real estate associations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal was to make students aware that there are many different professions within the real estate field, and many real estate trade organizations that can support their professional growth,\u201d said Eileen Cardelle, admissions and operations manager for the Master of Science in International Real Estate<\/a> and an adjunct professor at the Hollo School. Cardelle also serves as faculty adviser to the Real Estate Student Association (RESA)<\/a> at FIU, which co-sponsored the event with the Jerome Bain Real Estate Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On hand to lend their expertise at the September 26, 2016 event were leaders from a full complement of real estate and related professions, including corporate real estate, development, design, construction, leasing and sales, investment practitioners, brokers, property and asset managers, surveyors and industrial real estate practitioners. William Hardin<\/a>, director of the Hollo School of Real Estate<\/a>, and professors George Wu<\/a> and Paul Black<\/a> joined students at the event.<\/p>\n

\"FIU<\/p>\n

The professional groups visit FIU each year, but this year\u2019s event featured a twist designed to maximize networking. Instead of the panel format, students had ten minutes to meet with each representative at his or her round table before moving on to the next.<\/p>\n

Cardelle sees student engagement in professional and trade organizations as an important first step in their careers. \u201cThe majority (of trade associations) have student membership opportunities,\u201d Cardelle said, adding that along with reduced or no membership fee, students can attend the groups\u2019 events. \u201cIt encourages them to get out and get involved, and get on committees which lead to internships, employment or business development.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evening connections.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A light dinner helped draw student attendees at the end of the workday, and, said Cardelle, despite the bad weather, 92 people showed up, including every speaker representative who had registered for the event.<\/p>\n

For Gabriel Amedee, vice president of RESA at FIU who is working on his bachelor\u2019s in real estate, the highlight was rekindling relationships with those he\u2019d encountered at other RESA events. \u201cSometimes you meet people who are really making a mark in the industry but you are hesitant to reach out to them because you know how busy they must be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Touching base in person inspires the confidence to later contact them for counsel or advice, added Amedee, who expects to graduate in 2017, then pursue his MSIRE at FIU<\/a>, while continuing to build his own company, Gold Homes LLC.<\/p>\n

For speaker representatives, it was a chance to give back, connect with possible future employees, and network with their own South Florida industry peers. The speakers hope to meet as a group before the event next year.<\/p>\n

\"FIU<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a trade organization, the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) is committed to supporting higher education in real estate,\u201d said Rod L. Castan, president, Leasing and Management Services at the Courtelis Company, a retail, multifamily development firm, and retail property leasing firm. He is also the past Southern Division operations chairman and Florida state director of the ICSC.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I like about FIU students is that they are very entrepreneurial, willing to try new things and take risks. That mentality will serve them well in real estate,\u201d he said. He should know. Castan is an FIU alumnus, having earned his BS in finance in 1985. \u201cI got into real estate through an internship I found at the FIU placement office,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

What also keeps Castan returning is the outreach from the Hollo School faculty and staff. \u201cThey do a great job of keeping things current and connecting with us in the industry,\u201d he said. \u201cThey have made a strong commitment to engage with the real estate industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cardelle said that as much fun as the event was, the key for the students is in following up. That message seems to have gotten through. Castan said that in the days following the event, he had already heard from several student attendees.<\/p>\n

Round table speakers:<\/p>\n