What is the best piece of advice you have received that has helped you succeed in your industry? I worked as a bellman at a five-star hotel in college, and one day, I was driving the owner of the hotel to his room. He looked at me and said, "The key to success in life is momentum. Once you have momentum, no one can slow you down". I find this advice particularly fitting for the commercial real estate industry, and it has stuck with me ever since.

What is your advice for the next generation?

Reach out to anyone you know and ask their advice on what roles and companies they would recommend exploring. You never know what that person could teach you, or what that connection may lead to – whether a job offer or another introduction, networking and connecting with others is key.
If you do not already have contacts in the industry, I would recommend contacting bankers and brokers at the companies you are interested in applying to, and asking if they would have time for a fifteen-minute phone call or coffee. Not all bankers and brokers will respond or meet with you, but if they do, and you make a strong connection, it will almost always help you down the road.
Beyond that, I would encourage hard work and an understanding that the first couple of years may be a bit overwhelming, but this time and development of a new skill set is an investment in yourself. Also, I think it is very important to be respectful of everyone, regardless of job or title. Advice like that does not get shared enough, in my opinion.

How does this advice differ from what you may have received when you were starting out? I think that commercial real estate is a very rewarding career. There are many fields within the industry depending on the personality and skill set of the candidate. I have seen firsthand, at Walker & Dunlop, that many of the summer internship participants end up joining (and staying with) W&D upon graduation. So, I would recommend interning while in school and starting to make as many connections as possible while also researching the companies they are interested in. Understanding the different departments and envisioning yourself in the various roles will help candidates narrow down which internships they will apply to. It is better to spend this time upfront, rather than apply for an internship you later find out is something you are not at all interested in pursuing.

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Pay It Forward: "Once You Have Momentum, No One Can Slow You Down," Says Riley Manke

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