In an increasingly competitive job market, college graduates with unique educational experiences and skill sets stand out in a crowd. That versatility is on display by students in Purdue’s Dean V. White Real Estate Finance Program, who are finding internships and securing full-time offers in a variety of disciplines.
Launched in April 2022 in response to the growing importance of real estate finance, the program spans the disciplines of finance, engineering, economics, management and more. It includes two 18-credit minors: a Real Estate Finance minor for students in business-related majors and a Real Estate minor for students in non-business majors.
“The Dean V. White Real Estate Finance program is not only benefitting Purdue students in opening new career paths, but is also benefitting local communities, the state of Indiana and the real estate industry in providing the next generation of real estate experts who will shape how we live and work,” says Mike Eriksen, a professor of economics and director of the program.
“It is increasingly difficult for students to differentiate themselves from other applicants for the nation’s top jobs,” he says. “A minor in real estate finance gives them a combination of practical knowledge and technical expertise that is lacking in most real estate graduates today that will make our students sought after by the world’s leading companies.”
Here, you’ll meet recent grads and current students who are adapting their new skills to careers both inside and outside the real estate industry.
You can help shape future Boilermaker talent within the rapidly evolving real estate industry by supporting the Dean V. White Real Estate Finance program. Give today
Andrew Kiama
BS Civil Engineering, 2023
Project Engineer, Skanska
“My experience completing the Real Estate minor at Purdue was nothing short of meaningful. As a civil engineering graduate, it was a welcome breath of fresh air to learn about all that goes into real estate development before any pencils touch engineering paper. Topics such as market trends, client requirements, underwriting techniques, legal hurdles and development steps were foreign to me, but they helped me understand the intricacies of the projects I build before they are built. I was able to graduate as a much more well-rounded engineer who understands both the financial and physical development of a construction project.”
Annabel Richard
BS Finance, 2024
Incoming Assistant Investment Analyst, HIMCO
“This past summer I completed a 10-week internship with Hartford Investment Management Co. (HIMCO). I was placed on the portfolio management team but networked heavily with the commercial real estate group. I learned a lot about multi-sector management and analysis and implemented the skills I learned in my real estate classes such as discounting cash flows and value proposition. The Real Estate Finance minor also aided my understanding of the time value of money, the value proposition of properties, and complex loan analysis. It really helped me refine and apply the skills I learned in other finance classes. This aided me in receiving a full-time offer from HIMCO following graduation. I hope to be placed on the commercial real estate team, where I would be able to participate in acquisitions, originations and management of commercial real estate deals.”
David Figueroa
BS Finance, 2024
Investment Banking Analyst, PwC Corporate Finance LLC
“By completing the Real Estate Finance minor, I learned to take advantage of opportunities like case competitions and networking events, as both of these will help you develop important communication and relationship building skills. Having a strong background in these areas will also open up tremendous opportunities for you in the working world. I also learned to build and maintain relationships with people who are in positions you strive to be in. Doing so will allow you to learn from someone who has a wealth of knowledge in that area who could also serve as a resource for future career opportunities.”
Jackson Thompson
BS Integrated Business & Engineering, 2025
Summer 2023 Intern, SVN by Northern Commercial
Incoming Summer 2024 Intern, Ambrose Property Group
“During my first internship with SVN, I assisted multiple brokers in their search for commercial properties, created market analysis reports, and maintained property databases. I mainly sat within the land development team where I worked with large developers in finding vacant land around Indianapolis. My main project was with a large developer of gas stations. I helped find leads on corner and vacant properties for the company. For my second internship, taking the Real Estate Finance major will help me tremendously, especially with underwriting. I was told by Ambrose that they haven't spoken to a student who knew more about development than me!”
Kaan Cankiri
BS Economics, 2024
Summer 2023 Intern, Keystone Group
Incoming Commercial Asset Manager, Prime Vacations
“The Real Estate Finance minor was a turning point in my educational journey because I was an economics major. I was worried about internships and careers because there wasn't a specific job that corresponded to economics. With the real estate minor, I was introduced to a whole new world, with so many opportunities that inspired me. I greatly enjoyed my time with Keystone over the summer, because I was able to apply many of the skills we developed in class while working on projects and analyzing finances. I also found that my networking skills were magnified with so many driven students sharing an interest in real estate.”
Bobby Hahn
BS Construction Engineering, 2026
Incoming Summer Analyst, Related Companies
“This summer will be my second year as an intern in Chicago with Related Companies. Working with a strong real estate development company provides me with the opportunity to further learn and apply the skills acquired through my Real Estate minor, widening my outlook on the industry as a whole. The minor helps to show industry recruiters my aspirations and direction, and it will certainly impact my post-grad career plans, as I aspire to work for a real estate development and investment company. The minor will also show demonstrated interest in real estate during my undergraduate degree, which will help me if I choose to pursue a master’s degree to further my knowledge in the industry.”
