Careers in Real Estate For Students Interested In Property
Looking for a lavish life filled with visiting luxury properties, or looking to simply get onto the property ladder to grow your very own empire? The truth is that property is an extremely lucrative industry to get into. What makes this field so special is its resilience against changes within the economy. So, when interest rates are at an all-time high, demand may drop slightly, but this will never cease entirely, and property involves more than a simple asset for first-time homeowners. Think of property developers who build SKU scrapers, or housing providers who get paid by the government to house vulnerable people. Real estate is an ever-green field of opportunity, and for students looking to get a slice of the action, there are a handful of routes that are worth considering.
In this blog, we’ll break down career options within real estate worth exploring, especially if you’re a student in the U.S. ready to jump in early.
Trainee Lettings Agent (Leasing Agent)
If you’re personable, well-organized, and good at selling, working as a leasing agent could be your first step into the world of real estate. Many students start part-time or during summer breaks helping rental agencies show apartments, handle applications, and work with tenants. It’s a low-barrier entry role that builds your communication and negotiation skills fast, and lets you see how the rental market ticks in real time.
Bonus: Some companies cover the cost of your real estate license, which is required in most states.
Property Management Assistant
Property management is the behind the scenes of real estate, it’s flashy, solid and essential. As a property management assistant, you will help hundreds of landlords and property owners keep on top of the daily tasks that one average person would struggle to manage. You will be the expert they turn to when they need support finding the best tenants, ensuring rents are paid in a timely manner, repairs of the property, and much much more. If you’re detail-oriented and like logistics, this is a great fit.
Why it’s smart: It exposes you to the operational side of owning property, which is key if you plan to invest later.
Commercial Real Estate Intern
Commercial real estate (CRE) is where the big money plays happen. Office towers, shopping centers, warehouses, and industrial parks, this is the side of real estate most people don’t think about. Getting an internship or entry-level analyst position at a CRE firm can set you on the path to six-figure salaries in dealmaking, leasing, or development.
Tip: These roles often value strong research, Excel, and presentation skills. Business majors, this is your lane.
Property Sourcer (AKA Real Estate Wholesaler)
Don’t want to wait around? You don’t have to. Property sourcing, better known in the U.S. as real estate wholesaling, is a hustle-friendly way to get involved in the game with little capital. You find off-market and or BMV properties (often distressed or undervalued), negotiate with the seller, then pass the contract to an investor for a fee.
Heads up: It’s all about your network, your negotiation game, and how fast you can move. Not for the lazy.
Property Investor (Start Small, Think Big)
You don’t need to be rich to start investing, nor do you have to be an expert. If you have some money you’ve saved or inherited, you can start investing wit daily, or enlist the help of a property management agency. House hacking, REITs (real estate investment trusts), and creative financing have opened the door for students to start small. Live in one unit and rent out the others. Buy a fixer-upper with a partner. Invest $50 in a REIT and track your returns like it’s fantasy football.
Long-term play: The earlier you start investing, the sooner compound growth kicks in. Even owning a single cash-flowing property can set you apart in your 20s.
Tradesman (The Unsung Foundation of the Industry)
Let’s get real: No property exists without skilled labor. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, carpenters, these are the people who build, fix, and maintain the assets investors and managers profit from. Trade schools offer fast, affordable paths to high-paying, in-demand jobs with the option to run your own business.
No ceiling: Start as an apprentice, build a crew, and eventually run a contracting company or flip houses yourself.
Real Estate Photographer & Content Creator
This is the creative side of real estate that’s growing fast. With the rise of short-term rentals, high-end listings, and digital marketing, good visuals are gold. If you’re into photography, videography, or even drone work, there’s money to be made shooting real estate.
Side hustle potential: Start by offering free shoots to build a portfolio. Then scale up your rates as your brand grows.
Appraiser or Assessor Trainee
As an appraiser, you will be the person property investors hope to impress, especially if they want their properties value to reach what they hoped for. Real estate appraisers and tax assessors provide critical property valuations that lenders, buyers, and governments rely on. Within this lone of work, you will learn how to evaluate property values based on conditions, locations, and other factors. This work is geared toward those who have great analytical skills and an eye for detail.
Pro tip: There’s a growing shortage of appraisers nationwide, translation: job security.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a student with an interest in property, don’t wait until graduation to get involved. The U.S. real estate market is colossal, with a lot of room for hustlers, strategists, creatives, and builders. Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder or build your own empire, there’s a place for you within the industry. Start small. Stay curious. Stack your skills. And who knows, your side hustle today might become your main business tomorrow.
