Property careers
Discussion
I'll come back to this after about a year since I last posted.
I'm a non cognate graduate and I've been in the police for the last 5 years. I dont think it'll be something I will look to do a full 30 year stint in, and would still like to look towards a career in property.
As the places for conversion courses come up, I find myself once again glancing towards doing a RICS accredited course.
What is the current outlook for those in the industry? Is the situation looking bleak with a distinct lack of new opportunities or is it starting to open up again?
I'm a non cognate graduate and I've been in the police for the last 5 years. I dont think it'll be something I will look to do a full 30 year stint in, and would still like to look towards a career in property.
As the places for conversion courses come up, I find myself once again glancing towards doing a RICS accredited course.
What is the current outlook for those in the industry? Is the situation looking bleak with a distinct lack of new opportunities or is it starting to open up again?
I have been in property for 20 plus years after graduating. I do not have a property degree yet I am pretty close to the top of my profession. Having said that, the degree will open doors and generally unless a graduate really shines in terms of his/her attitude, approach and ability then I look for graduates with a Masters. It is rare that someone really shines as mentioned above, infact I can think of only 2 that I have emploiyed that fall into this category. One was very good and at the tender age of 28 has reached a Senior position. I paid him £55k at the age of 24. The other was good in a different way, was an excellent deal shaper and very driven - he bought his new 911 turbo at the age of 27.
The property industry is depressed at the moment, and opportunities are thin on the ground. If you spend 3-4 years studying for a degree then your timing may be right. You will also be cheaper than an experienced person.
If you want to make heaps of money, development is the way forward, if you want a steady income then land management or general surveying is what you want.
The development side is high risk and high reward.
Personally, I am a developer, I have earnt huge bonuses, I have been made redundant 3 years ago which cost me £100k in lost income and damage to savings, but the savings came from bonuses. Overall I think I have done ok out of development and wouldnt do anything else. The buzz of closing a deal, seeing the finished development and banking the cheque is hard hard to replace
The property industry is depressed at the moment, and opportunities are thin on the ground. If you spend 3-4 years studying for a degree then your timing may be right. You will also be cheaper than an experienced person.
If you want to make heaps of money, development is the way forward, if you want a steady income then land management or general surveying is what you want.
The development side is high risk and high reward.
Personally, I am a developer, I have earnt huge bonuses, I have been made redundant 3 years ago which cost me £100k in lost income and damage to savings, but the savings came from bonuses. Overall I think I have done ok out of development and wouldnt do anything else. The buzz of closing a deal, seeing the finished development and banking the cheque is hard hard to replace
Well I am currently studying for an MSc in Real Estate Management which is an RICS accredited course. The course is only 1 year and you can be a non-cognate which I am. I am curently looking for a graduate job, there seems to be a reasonable number of vacancies and I would say about 3/4 of the people on the course have got graduate positions.
I personally think graduate jobs within the property industry was at its lowest point last September, alot of the London firms have opened there graduate schemes this year where' as they didnt last year. So can only see things improving even more in a years time.
If you have any more questions about the course feel free to ask.
I personally think graduate jobs within the property industry was at its lowest point last September, alot of the London firms have opened there graduate schemes this year where' as they didnt last year. So can only see things improving even more in a years time.
If you have any more questions about the course feel free to ask.
I work as a consultant planner, essentially doing feasibility stuff for some private clients.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
Colonial said:
I work as a consultant planner, essentially doing feasibility stuff for some private clients.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
Sounds interesting - what requirements for that sort of job? How did you get into it?It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
What's the government role?
Edited by john_p on Saturday 15th May 12:46
john_p said:
Colonial said:
I work as a consultant planner, essentially doing feasibility stuff for some private clients.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
Sounds interesting - what requirements for that sort of job? How did you get into it?It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
What's the government role?
Edited by john_p on Saturday 15th May 12:46
For the record you dont do the work of the developer...wht you do is advise on the planning element. There is so much more to development than that! Its very rare to find a planner that is sufficiently commercially astute to maximise value without a developer holding his hand!
I did a BSc (Hons) Land Management course and went into general practice surveying straight out of uni on a graduate course with one of the top 5. The course was RICS accredited which is fairly important as you then need to spend a couple of years doing your APC in order to get chartered (MRICS).
It's certainly not easy to get into the big firms as a graduate with an RICS accredited degree or without having done a conversion course as without having the RICS accreditation then there is no way (AFAIK?) to do the APC.
You are certainly limited in regards to what you can do without being chartered, things such as valuation certainly - and the insurances that the RICS offer.
I'd suggest if you want to get into a decent firm, you need an RICS accredited degree.
Have done some development on a personal level as my Dad was a property developer for most of his life - not necessary really if you are working for yourself.
Forget 'grad schemes' without an RICS degree I think is the bottom line.
It's certainly not easy to get into the big firms as a graduate with an RICS accredited degree or without having done a conversion course as without having the RICS accreditation then there is no way (AFAIK?) to do the APC.
You are certainly limited in regards to what you can do without being chartered, things such as valuation certainly - and the insurances that the RICS offer.
I'd suggest if you want to get into a decent firm, you need an RICS accredited degree.
Have done some development on a personal level as my Dad was a property developer for most of his life - not necessary really if you are working for yourself.
Forget 'grad schemes' without an RICS degree I think is the bottom line.
Well,
Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
The idea is to work for these guys for a few years then eventually delve into the world of property as it seems everyone does it on the side.
I'd advise going this sort of route if you’re looking to get into property as you see what goes on, how it should go on, and get experience on how costly things are or shouldn’t be.
Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
The idea is to work for these guys for a few years then eventually delve into the world of property as it seems everyone does it on the side.
I'd advise going this sort of route if you’re looking to get into property as you see what goes on, how it should go on, and get experience on how costly things are or shouldn’t be.
blueg33 said:
john_p said:
Colonial said:
I work as a consultant planner, essentially doing feasibility stuff for some private clients.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
Sounds interesting - what requirements for that sort of job? How did you get into it?It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
What's the government role?
Edited by john_p on Saturday 15th May 12:46
For the record you dont do the work of the developer...wht you do is advise on the planning element. There is so much more to development than that! Its very rare to find a planner that is sufficiently commercially astute to maximise value without a developer holding his hand!
I have RTPI but now live in Australia and am going to work for the state government Department of Planning writing the legislation. Do that for 3 years then back to the private sector.
Colonial said:
blueg33 said:
john_p said:
Colonial said:
I work as a consultant planner, essentially doing feasibility stuff for some private clients.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
Sounds interesting - what requirements for that sort of job? How did you get into it?It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
What's the government role?
Edited by john_p on Saturday 15th May 12:46
For the record you dont do the work of the developer...wht you do is advise on the planning element. There is so much more to development than that! Its very rare to find a planner that is sufficiently commercially astute to maximise value without a developer holding his hand!
I have RTPI but now live in Australia and am going to work for the state government Department of Planning writing the legislation. Do that for 3 years then back to the private sector.
onefiatpunto said:
Well,
Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
Er - if you're a QS, wouldn't you want to do a QS course? If you're a CM then you'd do a CM course.Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
blueg33 said:
Colonial said:
blueg33 said:
john_p said:
Colonial said:
I work as a consultant planner, essentially doing feasibility stuff for some private clients.
It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
Sounds interesting - what requirements for that sort of job? How did you get into it?It's hard work (basically doing the work of the developer without the rewards, but also without the risk) but it pays ok (50k at 25) but I'm transferring to a government department instead for more money, shorter hours and less stress.
What's the government role?
Edited by john_p on Saturday 15th May 12:46
For the record you dont do the work of the developer...wht you do is advise on the planning element. There is so much more to development than that! Its very rare to find a planner that is sufficiently commercially astute to maximise value without a developer holding his hand!
I have RTPI but now live in Australia and am going to work for the state government Department of Planning writing the legislation. Do that for 3 years then back to the private sector.
The position I have just accepted is with the NSW state government writing the legislation to simplify the planning system and make more development not require the approval of the local Council.
Rob13 said:
Is yours a full time degree? I'd probably seek to do distance learning or part time study. It's been about a year since I last looked into it but thought there were elements of the course which required on the job experience? Is that for the APC?
Yes its one year full time. The on the job experience is for the APC to get your MRICS status but before you do this you need to have been on a RICS accredited course. This is the course that I am on: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/courses/postgrad...
Theres a whole load of information on the RICS website as well http://www.rics.org/site/scripts/documents_info.as...
Mattt said:
onefiatpunto said:
Well,
Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
Er - if you're a QS, wouldn't you want to do a QS course? If you're a CM then you'd do a CM course.Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
GT03ROB said:
Mattt said:
onefiatpunto said:
Well,
Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
Er - if you're a QS, wouldn't you want to do a QS course? If you're a CM then you'd do a CM course.Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
Mattt said:
GT03ROB said:
Mattt said:
onefiatpunto said:
Well,
Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
Er - if you're a QS, wouldn't you want to do a QS course? If you're a CM then you'd do a CM course.Currently I’m A Trainee Quantity surveyor. Joined at the tender age of 16 straight after my GCSE's to a local medium sized company to which I’m going to university part time (one day a week) undertaking a course in construction management.
Well with the system here we go to a local university for the first two years to gain the equivalent of our HNC then we move to Westminster to do commercial management or Quantity Surveying. (RICS and CIOB accredited.)
The difference at the University of Westminster between Quantity surveying and Commercial Management compared to the course at Hertfordshire in construction management is two units all in the last 3 years. Therefore it doesn’t matter where or which course you chose in your first two years. As long as you decide in your first two years you should be fine.
Both roles are similar depending which company you go to. We have dual roles who do CM and Qs roles as well as purely qs's and cm's
The difference at the University of Westminster between Quantity surveying and Commercial Management compared to the course at Hertfordshire in construction management is two units all in the last 3 years. Therefore it doesn’t matter where or which course you chose in your first two years. As long as you decide in your first two years you should be fine.
Both roles are similar depending which company you go to. We have dual roles who do CM and Qs roles as well as purely qs's and cm's
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff