At Berkadia, our success is built upon the talent and hard work of a broad, diversely skilled team. From graphic designers to loan closing specialists to product designers, each of our people brings a unique background, perspective and expertise. Their work allows Berkadia to remain a leader in the commercial real estate industry.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on, Marykate James, Intern – Investment Sales Offices, who sits in the Boston office, to learn more about her role, how she discovered Berkadia, and how this internship has differed from her prior experience.
Describe your internship at Berkadia, what department you’re in and how you’re liking the program so far.
I work on the Investment Sales team in the Boston office. So far, the program has been a great experience. I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in the Investment Sales side of commercial real estate. I also feel highly supported by the members of my team.
If you’ve had other internships, how does Berkadia’s internship program differ?
Berkadia’s approach to internships is very different from the past experiences I’ve had. The culture here is one of the main reasons I chose to be a part of Berkadia. The people I’ve worked with this summer genuinely care about my success and want to help me learn. I’ve had the opportunity to meet clients, shadow different property tours and work alongside our senior analyst to learn about modeling. The work is meaningful and my time here has given me knowledge and skills that I can use in any future CRE job.
What is your major in school and how did you find out about Berkadia?
I majored in Finance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I did an internship with Project Destined during my first semester of senior year, which is an organization that Berkadia actually partners with. During that internship, I was mentored by employees of many different CRE companies throughout the US, one of them being Berkadia. Over the winter, one of my mentors told me about this internship, and I jumped at the opportunity.
Were you always interested in CRE? If not, how did you get into CRE?
In my junior year of college, I took a class on CRE and have been very interested in it ever since. One of the main things that drew me in was how outward facing commercial real estate is and the importance of networking and confidence in this field.
What stood out about Berkadia when you were interviewing for your internship role?
The culture. Berkadia is a company that cares about its employees and wants them to succeed. Berkadia is also an inclusive and diverse community of people, and it stood out to me over other companies.
What advice would you have for somebody looking to get involved in CRE?
The best advice I could give is to fully immerse yourself into your position. Talk to people, ask questions, ask to be involved in meetings and property tours, and most of all, listen and take notes.
How can other students prepare themselves to land an internship at Berkadia?
Be confident in your skills and knowledge. There will always be new things to learn, and you’re not expected to be an expert at everything. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people directly; it is one of the best forms of communication. If you know of someone who has done the internship before, reach out to them and ask about the opportunity so that you can go into the interview prepared.
What has your internship at Berkadia taught you about your future career or yourself?
I think it is so important, at any stage of your career, to assist others with the knowledge you have to offer. There is no need for intimidation in a work environment, and at Berkadia, I always felt supported and included. In the future, I want to pay that same respect back to everyone I work with. I also think this internship has taught me to be confident in myself and the work I produce.