Program in Real Estate Job Placement 2010

Continuing the tradition of a strong placement record, the Cornell Program in Real Estate Class of 2010 landed top jobs in a difficult economy. The caliber of the students, industry recognition and educational quality of the Program in Real Estate resulted in the highest average started salary for PRE graduates.
The average base salary for the Class of 2010 was $95,750. 

PRE graduates network and source career opportunities through postings the proprietary Cornell Job Board (which had over 2,000 listings in the last 12 months), career forums, conferences and special lectures. Students have the opportunity to make connections and conduct career research that is invaluable for their placement. Additionally, the PRE generates contacts and interviews with major employers in the real estate industry.

The 1,200-member Real Estate Council, composed of Cornell alumni and friends working in the real estate field, provides another resource for guidance, networking, and placement.

Examples of PRE 2010 students :

Joshua Ladle (MPS/RE ’10)
Acquisitions at Woolbright Development,
Boca Raton Corporate Headquarters
Joshua Ladle joined the acquisitions group at Woolbright Development.  Woolbright is an owner of retail open-air shopping centers in Florida. Ladle was offered this position by Duane Stiller, President at Woolbright Development, after getting to know him for a year and a half before. He had co-authored a paper on retail site selection with Stiller for the Cornell Real Estate Journal and stayed in touch with him after that. “Networking with the Cornell Real Estate Council and the Advisory Board is the most important thing you can do while at Cornell” says Ladle.

Robert Clark (MPS/RE ’10)
Bentall LP
Toronto, Ontario
Robert Clark began working in the Acquisitions Group at Bentall LP in Toronto, Canada in August 2010. Bentall is one of North America’s foremost real estate advisory and service organizations and currently has more than $17.6 billion in assets under management.
In this role, Clark is responsible for the preparation of financial analysis, market reports, and internal and external investment memoranda for various acquisition, sales and development proposals.  In addition, Clark works extensively with other members of the acquisition group, as well as with members of the asset management team. Clark works on project due diligence and the analysis of various property scenarios, including acquisitions structures, development options, financing alternatives and disposition strategies.

Brett Mendell (MPS/RE ’10)
Associate at Spring Bay Property Company,
New York City
Brett Mendell accepted a position with Spring Bay Property Company in New York City. Spring Bay is a start-up real estate investment company focusing on emerging market real estate funds.
Mendell secured his job after building a relationship with the company principal.  The principal taught a few lectures in one of the Cornell real estate courses.  Knowing the Mendell was interested in working the Southeast, Dr. David Funk, PRE Director, informed Mendell that the principal was pursuing a new venture and encouraged him to apply to the position.
Mendell sent the principal an e-mail and started helping him with one project at first.  That short-term working relationship grew into a long-term relationship.” Mendell advises students that “Cornell’s alumni network is extremely valuable.  Try to build and maintain relationships with them.  When I was job hunting, my most supportive contacts and best information came from Cornell alumni.  In the future, I hope to reciprocate that support.”

Myriam Gafarou MPS/RE ‘10
Senior - Advisory Services - Major Construction Projects
Ernst & Young, Calgary (Canada)
Myriam Gafarou accepted a position as a Senior in the Advisory Practice Risk for Major Construction Projects division at Ernst & Young, Canada.
Gafarou describes this job as a great opportunity because it utilizes her diverse experience acquired across three continents. Gafarou secured this role through a reference from PRE Alumnus Catherine von Seggern whom she first met at the 2008 Cornell Real Estate conference. Von Seggern is a Senior Manager with the Global Real Estate Group at Ernst & Young. After learning of Myriam’s aspiration, Von Seggern informed Gafarou about an exciting opportunity in the Calgary office of Ernst & Young. The hiring process was accelerated and Gafarou received an offer for the role she is currently working in. In her own words, “joining E&Y Canada seems to be natural. It is the best fit for me; it gives me the opportunity to remain in advisory and work on exciting projects.” She also adds that “the best thing you can do for your career is to reach out and connect with industry professionals, be genuinely interested in learning about their activities and keep in touch. I believe that building long-lasting relationships is your career path to success”

Robert Booth MPS/RE ‘10
Manager of Property Operations
Tri – Land Properties,Chicago
Robert Booth is working at Tri-Land on a rotational management program.  For the first few years Booth will manage operations and leasing departments.  He will then move into debt and equity financing for Tri – Land’s properties for 2 years. After working in financing he will spend time in an acquisitions role for a few years. The rotation will ultimately evolve into a permanent position.  Booth says he is excited about the rotational nature of his position and the depth of experience he will gain at each position.
Booth met Tri-Land Properties President and CEO, Rich Dube, at Cornell’s Annual Real Estate conference, and continued to build a relationship from that point on.  He says that he truly owes his job to Cornell’s Program in Real Estate. Tri-Land Properties is a development company specializing in the redevelopment of distressed and underperforming retail properties in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions.