Ask a Housing Leader
From intern to leasing professional
January 17, 2020
- How did you begin your career in the housing industry?
My family has been in the multifamily housing industry — think apartment buildings — for several years, so I decided to work as a summer intern in leasing when I was in high school and in my first year of college. I enjoyed those internships and joined full time as a leasing professional immediately after graduating from college.
- Who was your greatest mentor in the industry, and what did you learn from them?
My greatest mentor in the industry was my supervisor during my leasing internship, who eventually became my boss as a full-time leasing professional. He taught me to be open-minded, pay close attention to detail, be flexible, and help others regardless of your job title and responsibilities. I also learned that you can learn from others, whether they are your peers, supervisors, or subordinates, so always be ready to listen and continue learning no matter how much you think you know.
- Why should college students consider a career in the housing industry?
Anyone that enjoys interacting with people and providing customer service should consider a career in the housing industry because it is multifaceted. You can start in one position and take your career path in any direction you choose. You also can learn so much from those that are seasoned, as well as those that are new to the industry, because everyone brings different ideas to the table.
- Where do you see the greatest opportunity in the housing industry, and how would you encourage young people to tap into it?
I believe the greatest opportunity is to bring more attention to careers in the housing industry as an exciting choice. Many people in the industry did not go to school for residential property management, but they have related backgrounds that could bring a wide variety of ideas to the industry. You can tap into the opportunity to make a career in this industry by understanding that it needs people with all backgrounds who are customer-service focused and sales and marketing driven.
- How would the housing industry be different if its workforce reflected more diverse backgrounds?
People bring different experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge with them. If the industry had more diverse backgrounds, new ideas would be brought to the table, and it would help the industry grow.