Our first student call out of the semester is Aidan Rowland. Aidan is a part of the GWU Class of 2023 graduating from the School of Business with a major in Business and a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He is a mentor for both the Real Estate and Finance Alliance and Business Leadership Development Program as well as part of the GW Rowing team. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I was recruited to row for the school. 

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I was exposed to it back home in Scottsdale, AZ with redevelopment in my neighborhood and wanted to understand what the lot splitting was allowed. That interest followed me to DC and after meeting with Rob Valero, he recommended me to apply for the REFA program. I am most interested in the adaptive reuse aspect, as well as sustainability. I want to crack the code on how to make sustainable development as profitable for the developers as it is for the tenants (who gain the energy saving benefits).

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

Right now, I am closely following the water crisis in the southwest. Being born and raised in AZ, it is concerning to see the historic lows of the water reserves. As the southwest continues to expand in population, it will put increasing stress on the already dangerously low water levels. I am very curious to see how this will impact the development industry.], and just the lifestyle of residents in the region. 

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

Ideally, I would like to continue my progression in the development industry. I greatly enjoyed my time at Dalian Development over the summer and am looking forward growing my knowledge base and getting more experience in the field. GW is helping provide connections to other industry professionals that are more than willing to talk about the industry and the trends that are happening. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

I would say just jump in. My GW experience has not been what I had in mind at the start of my freshman year, but I am proud to say that for the most part, I have tried to make the most of what was dealt to me. Be flexible and be adaptable. The ability to pivot is one of the most important life skills that you can learn. 

Our next student call out of the semester is Jessica Bennett. She is a part of the GWU Class of 2023 graduating from the School of Business with a major in Business and a concentration in Real Estate. Jessica is a Research Assistant at the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis.  

Why did you choose to attend GW?
I transferred to GW from the University of Maine after my sophomore year. I was already a business student, but was looking for a school with more options, which GW provided through their array of concentrations. It was also very attractive because of the location. 

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?
I initially became interested in real estate because I love buildings. I looked into the concentration more and saw the opportunity to take classes like American Architecture, which sounded fun to me. Now, I’m definitely interested in the process that goes into putting up buildings. I’ve also had a growing interest in nonprofits that are creating housing in other areas of the world where it is more needed. 

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?
I think we are in a really interesting time with COVID and all of the effects it’s had on the world. In some of my classes we’ve talked about how this had affected the industry, particularly in more people working from home. I think it’s really interesting to see how quickly things can change, like how useful office space is, and how people and the economy adapt to situations like a pandemic. 

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?
I’m still figuring them out. I’d like to stay in DC, but I’m still deciding between continuing my education or getting an internship or job right after graduation. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?
Get involved and build your connections. I’ve been told countless times in the business school that networking is everything, but this really is such a great time to do it. I came into GW at a weird time with online classes and a mask mandate in place. This made it very hard to connect with people, but since everything has been loosening up, there are more opportunities to get involved. I’ve met some wonderful friends and coworkers at GW. Also, keep in mind, the professors in your school really do want to help you, don’t be afraid to talk to them!

Our next student call out of the semester is Julian Daszkal. Julian is a part of the GWU Class of 2023 graduating from George Washington University with a double major in International Affairs and Finance. He is also a mentor in the Real Estate and Finance Alliance. He will be continuing on to Goldman Sachs Asset Management post-graduation. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I came in as an International Affairs major and originally wanted to pursue a career in international politics or foreign service. What drew me in the most to attend GW was the opportunity to live so close to major international institutions that I aspired to work for one day.

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I became interested in real estate through my cousin, Adam, who at the time just graduated and was pursuing a career in development and acquisitions. Within the industry I’m most interested in development and hope to incorporate this interest in my career path.

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

I’m currently interested and learning more about real estate opportunities in the transition to renewable energy, specifically solar and wind. As the effects of climate change become more evident, there will be greater demand to shift towards more sustainable forms of energy production and therefore new climate infrastructure development. 

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

I’ll be joining Goldman Sachs Asset Management in its impact investing group, which focuses on thematic investing across private equity and real assets. GW helped me cultivate a passion for sustainable finance through connecting with peers, alumni, and thought leaders in the space. Just recently, I attended a George Talks Business where the COO of the International Finance Corporation talked about the IFC’s efforts to invest in climate infrastructure in developing countries. Events like these are unique to GW and help to get students exposed to the foremost experts in super interesting fields.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

The idea of “networking” seems daunting to a lot of students, including me. College is a time to explore your passions, and what’s helped me the most has been to shift my perspective away from networking and towards learning what I’m passionate about. I’ve found that the relationships you build, especially when pursuing a career in finance, can be more authentic when viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a stepping stone to an interview.

Our next student call out of the semester is Jacqueline Abnos. Jacqueline is a part of the GWU Class of 2024 graduating from the School of Business with majors in Finance and Business with a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in organizational sciences. She is a mentor of the Real Estate and Finance Alliance, Vice President of the Commercial Real Estate Network, and Communications Assistant for CREUA. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I choose GW because of the opportunities of being in such a prominent real estate market as well as the opportunity to concentrate in real estate while still getting a well rounded business and finance education. 

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I became interested in real estate growing up on jobsites with my family as they ran their development and management company in my hometown Kansas City, MO. Over time, I became very interested in how important real estate is in the formation of communities and decided I wanted to study it in college and work in the industry post graduation.  

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

The current trend that interests me right now is what the industry will look like in the post-pandemic world. There are just so many aspects of life that have changed in recent years that many thought were temporary; however they are not going away anytime soon and it has effects throughout the industry that I think will change the future of the industry forever.

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

I am not absolutely sure what pathway I wish to take post graduation. I am currently looking into graduate programs including the 4+1 programs at GW, but I know I am interested in working within the industry when I graduate. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

My advice for current students at GW who are interested in real estate is to definitely take part in all of the real estate opportunities offered through CREUA and CREN because there are truly so many opportunities to meet with alumni and real estate professionals. By meeting with so many people in the industry, you are able to hear more about the paths you can take which can definitely help you create your own path.

Our next student call out of the semester is Kasey Choi. Kasey is a part of the GWU Class of 2025 graduating from the School of Business with a major in International Business and a concentration in Real Estate. She is a mentee in the REFA program and a part of the CREN E-Board. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

Being in an urban environment pretty much made the decision for me of where I wanted to go for school. GW is uniquely positioned in a city with countless opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. In many of my classes we discuss organizations and corporations right down the street from us, which gives me the ability to apply what I am learning in the classroom with the world around me. 

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I have always loved interior design and architecture and exploring career paths that were creatively stimulating; however, I also had interests in analytical fields. So, real estate really was that happy medium between the two where I could do both without sacrificing one for the other. Real estate also is interesting in that it challenges your perception of what is possible and requires problem solving and adapting quickly. While it can be challenging, the industry has a lot of power to do good in the world and that has always formed my underlying passion in pursuing real estate.

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

The current “bring people back to the office” dilemma is something that I have thought about a lot. It’s interesting because there are so many external factors at play besides things commonly known to impact real estate occupancy and vacancy. I look forward to seeing how office developers and owners strategize solutions to this problem and seeing the trends that unfold.

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

Post graduation is still 3 years down the road, so I am not sure where I will end up. However, I do know that I want to keep pursuing real estate and exploring different careers within the industry. GW has been incredibly helpful in providing resources and organizations that take me closer to this goal. Through Alpha Kappa Psi, I have gained a lot of professional development and mentorship; the new member education process taught me the fundamentals of professionalism and provided me the confidence to enter today’s workforce. I am also a part of the Commercial Real Estate Network and have recently joined the Real Estate Finance Alliance, and through these programs, I hope to dive further into real estate and learn as much as I can about the industry.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

Freshman year made me realize that a fear of failure was the one thing stopping me from pursuing certain opportunities, and when I let that fear go, I was able to get involved a lot more within GWSB and real estate at GW. So my advice would be to try everything, don’t let fear get in the way, and always put your best foot forward.

Our next student call out of the semester is Anand Behl. Anand is a part of the GWU Class of 2025 graduating from the School of Business with a major in International Business and a concentration in Real Estate. He is a part of the Real Estate and Finance Alliance. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I chose to attend GW because of their excellent International Business program that ranks #1  in the country, and because of their excellent alumni network. GW also has very motivated and driven students, which is the culture that I wanted to surround myself with.

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I had been interested in the real estate industry coming into GW, but my attendance at a real estate industry panel really drove me towards the industry. The industrial and multifamily sectors of commercial real estate interest me the most, and I am also very interested in the real estate loans side of the industry.

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

One trend that has been of great interest to me that I am following closely are the mortgage rates. At the time of writing this the mortgage rates have reached over 7%, the highest they have been since 2001. I have loved following this trend because it is interesting to see how the Fed’s interest rates have affected the markets. It is also a very interesting trend to follow because it leads to housing affordability.

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

Post-graduation I plan on entering the workforce and to potentially pursue an MBA. GW is helping me achieve these plans by providing me with many important skills through my coursework. GW is also a community that has provided me with many opportunities to join clubs and orgs where I am able to build my network and gain further skills outside of my coursework. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

My advice to students who want to make the most out of their experience here in GW is to get out and join clubs and orgs, as well as explore the city. Clubs and orgs provide unique experiences one may not get in classes to meet new people and to gain skills. GW’s campus being in DC provides students a great opportunity the explore a city, which typical college campuses do not offer.

Our next student call out of the semester is Bella Lilly. Bella is a part of the GWU Class of 2025 graduating from the School of Business with a major in Business and a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in French. She is a mentee in the REFA program and a member of CREN. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I chose to attend GW because of the amazing academic opportunities and also the location being right in the heart of D.C.

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I became interested in Real Estate at a very young age. Through watching my father manage his personal real estate company, I became interested in started my own firm and learning about other careers that are possible within the industry. 

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

A current trend in the industry that interests me is seeing how COVID-19 has affected different sectors of real estate and how they are recovering. It is very interesting to see employees getting back into the office and changing their office spaces to opt for more space between each employee in order for everyone to feel safe. 

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

My plans post-graduation are to start at a brokerage firm and eventually create my own brokerage. GW and especially REFA, has helped me learn how to network efficiently and also learn many technical skills that will be used in my career in the future. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

My advice to current students is to take every opportunity you have and to keep an open mind/attitude with everything you do. You never know who will help you next so it is always in your benefit to be professional and kind.

Our next student call out of the semester is Stephen Shaw. Stephen is a part of the GWU Class of 2025 graduating from the School of Business with a major in International Business and a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in French. He is a mentee in the REFA program and a member of CREN. 

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I chose to attend GW because I love DC and I really liked everything about GW’s Business school from the teachers and programs to the opportunities and connections. 

How did you become interested in real estate and what interests you most within the industry?

I have always been good with math/numbers and believe I am personable and outgoing which led me to the idea of real estate. Last summer, I had an internship for a coworking business renting out office spaces, however I first became interested in real estate after befriending an AirBnB host in Costa Rica who operated dozens of rental properties.

What current trend in the industry interests you and why?

Capital market risk is a current trend that has interested me due to the downturn of the economy and how it has and will affect the real estate industry. REITs and the equity market also spark my interest within the real estate industry.

What are your plans post graduation and how is GW helping you achieve them?

I want to work for a Commercial Real Estate firm and eventually start my own company. GW is helping me achieve these plans by providing me with incredible resources, opportunities and connections. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

Get involved in as much as you can on campus in order to meet new people and figure out what interests you the most!

Our first alumni call out of the semester is GWU Alumni Brandon Wendt. Brandon is a part of the Class of 2017 graduating from the School of Business with a Finance degree. While at GW, he was a part of the rugby team as well as a member of GW Dance Marathon. He is currently working at Balbec Capital LP in New York.

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I knew that I wanted to work in finance, but I was not exactly sure where within the discipline. GW structured business school classes as either Tuesday/ Thursday or Monday/ Wednesday. This was my selling point as it meant I could intern 2-3 days a week. When I left GW, I had several internships including positions in wealth management, corporate finance, banking, venture capital, and a few other areas.

What fuels your interest or passion in the real estate industry?

I like that it’s something tangible that I can see, feel, and touch. Also, I love the experience and interaction with the building. How we meet, where we live, and everything in between is really important so I like actually putting thought into those aspects of life.

What has your career path looked like and what plans do you have for the future?

I got really lucky out of college, I basically had a class with Professor Guerts that convinced me I wanted to go into real estate when I had a job at a PE shop specializing in healthcare in hand. That really messed things up. I basically downloaded a list of every private equity real estate shop and started calling them all. I convinced one to hire me in return for using some of my coding skills to build out their database and models. I ended up spending the first 5 years of my career working on thousands of transactions across the capital stack. I got really lucky. Recently, I transitioned to a smaller shop to help them build out their commercial real estate investment platform and I am really interested in seeing where we can go!

How has your education and other opportunities at GW prepared you for your current position?

Probably said a bit too much earlier, but it was really a mix of the classroom and the ability to intern prior to getting my first full time job.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

Work on seeing the opportunity around you, it’s a real skill that I am only learning later in life, and be aggressive when you find it, but don’t forget it’s got to be fun or else why are you doing it?

Feel free to reach out to Brandon and connect with him for any advice!

Our next alumni call out of the semester is GWU Alumni Omar Sobhy. He is a part of the Class of 2013 graduated with a degree in International Affairs and a minor International Economics. While at GW, he was a part of Varsity Squash. He is currently working at Ackman-Ziff.

Why did you choose to attend GW?

I really liked the people that I met when touring GW. I knew that I could learn a lot in the classroom as well as out of the classroom by leaning into all that DC had to offer, so I accepted my offer to get recruited to play squash at GW.

What fuels your interest or passion in the real estate industry?

My Dad sparked my initial interest in real estate as I watched him buy a rental property or two as I was growing up. Today it’s the interesting people that I get to work with and the challenge of structuring and closing successful deals that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

What has your career path looked like and what plans do you have for the future?

My career path has been anything but conventional. My first job after GW was working as the Squash Pro at the Metropolitan Club. I was reassured by my friends from the Club that I should double down in real estate and since then I’ve worked in acquisitions for a developer, as an investment sales broker, and now as a Capital Advisor with Ackman-Ziff.

How has your education and other opportunities at GW prepared you for your current position?

I’m lucky to have learned about macro and micro economics, which is especially helpful in volatile markets like the one we’re experiencing now. GW has helped me connect with some incredible mentors, colleagues, and mentees. Almost every semester while at GW, I interned with real estate and finance firms, which helped me learn the business fundamentals that I use today. 

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at GW?

Enjoy the camaraderie at GW and keep in touch with your friends and alumni network. Explore internships and all that CREUA has to offer while in school and try to get exposed to as much experience as possible. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with new people or ask for guidance – we’re here to help when you need us!