Graduate Financial Analyst Review

I have enjoyed my experience at CBRE so far. My current position suits my interests well, and it is great to be on a program that allows you to gain hands-on experience whilst learning and sitting qualifications. The culture is one of community and collaboration, and I have seen the effects of cross-collaboration between different service lines. The office itself is modern and well-maintained, so I enjoy coming into work 5 days a week.

I have been in one team since the start of my graduate program. Here, the main responsibilities include producing pitch and marketing materials, client and lender engagement, cash flow modelling and expediting due diligence processes. I most enjoy the client and lender engagement part of the transactions I work on, as it allows me to build connections across all corners of the real estate debt and equity market, and enhance my communication skills. I also enjoy producing pitch and marketing materials, as these are foundational in understanding the niches of a transaction. This also gives you some creative freedom in terms of formatting and presentation, which you would not necessarily be able to do with a model.

Since I started in the team, I have felt there have been many opportunities to contribute meaningfully, either through being actively involved in transactions or being directly asked to share my ideas / thoughts. This has been challenging initially, but it has been paramount in expediting the learning process. My team are generally good at making me feel valued - they will make me aware of mistakes I have made, but be very vocal about things I have done well. I feel that this has motivated me to work harder in my day-to-day role.

I think CBRE provides a fair compensation package that covers different aspects of life, whether cycling and fitness, or eating / drinking, i.e. it caters to a wider audience. I also find the pension scheme at CBRE to be very valuable.

Given that I would like to pursue real estate debt as a career, the role I am currently in is a great place to continue developing my debt knowledge, through producing materials, speaking 1-1 with lenders and clients, and modelling debt. It enables me to build a good foundation in the real estate debt market, which would be valuable on both the lending and advisory side of the transaction.

The support I receive from my manager has been crucial in my development since I joined the team. They make sure that I am actively involved in meaningful work, allow me to ask all the questions I need, and ensure I am doing well both in and out of the workplace. On a broader level, the graduate program is also supportive - drop-in sessions are available on a frequent basis if we ever need advice, and many professional development and learning opportunities are made available to us.

I usually have a couple of hours in the evening and the entire weekend work-free. This means that, although I am in the office 5 days a week, there is time to recover and rest. My manager is good at making sure I do not over-work, encouraging me to take time for myself, and prioritise my health.

I think there is a strong sense of culture at CBRE, being a global business with many different service lines and people. I felt welcomed when I first joined as a graduate, and I find that everyone I have engaged with to be friendly and approachable. The general atmosphere feels like a large community, which is one of the reasons I enjoy coming into the office.

I think CBRE does well with its DEI and accessibility initiatives. There are many different business resource groups, from Women's Network to Faith Network, which cater to many members of CBRE. Personally, I am a part of the Women's Network, and it has been clear during my time in the group, that empowering women is highly important to the business. The company also organises several events to promote DEI, e.g. during Black History Month.

Yes

CBRE is a great place to start your career in real estate, given the variety of service lines and teams - there is something for everyone. The support network is strong, which helps to expedite one's personal and professional development.

The role matched my expectations based on the recruitment process. For example, I was aware that I was applying for a finance-based role, so was unsurprised that I was required to submit a modelling test. I think the job description was relatively accurate, and while I have not followed the conventional path, my peers on the same scheme have been able to get experience to the teams outlined in the description and we have had the opportunity to sit exams for our professional development.