graduate surveyor Review

I've had a really positive experience at CBRE so far. Being part of the Next Gen Graduate Scheme has given me exposure to different areas of the business while also allowing me to develop a strong understanding of the industrial and logistics capital markets sector.
The role has been challenging in a good way, as I've been trusted to get involved in live instructions, market research, underwriting and pitch work from an early stage. I've enjoyed working alongside experienced professionals who have been willing to invest time in my development and share their knowledge of the market. The combination of on-the-job learning, formal APC support and the wider graduate network has made it a great environment to start my career.

My role involves supporting the Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets team across a range of acquisition, disposal and investment instructions. This includes carrying out market research, analysing occupier and investment market data, assisting with financial modelling and underwriting, preparing marketing materials and presentations, and supporting the team on live transactions.
The aspect I enjoy most is the exposure to real deals and understanding what drives investor demand across different industrial and logistics assets. I particularly enjoy analysing investment opportunities, researching ownership structures and market activity, and seeing how wider market trends influence investment decisions. I also enjoy the variety that comes with the role, as no two instructions are exactly the same and there is always an opportunity to learn something new from colleagues and clients.

I feel that I am given genuine opportunities to contribute and that my work adds value to the wider team. From an early stage, I have been trusted with responsibilities that go beyond purely administrative tasks, including supporting underwriting, preparing market commentary, researching investment opportunities and contributing to client-facing material.
The team is approachable and encourages questions, which has helped build my confidence and accelerate my development. Feedback is provided regularly, and I feel my contributions are recognised and appreciated. As a graduate, it is motivating to know that the work I complete supports live projects and helps the team deliver for clients. Overall, the level of responsibility and support has made me feel like a valued member of the team rather than simply someone observing from the sidelines.

I feel the overall compensation package is competitive for a graduate role and reflects the level of responsibility and exposure that comes with being part of both the Next Gen scheme and the Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets team.
One thing I've learnt during my time at CBRE is that you generally get back what you put in. As a graduate, you're trusted with a significant amount of responsibility from an early stage and there are occasions where longer hours are required to meet deadlines and support live transactions. Whilst this can be demanding at times, I think it's beneficial in the long term as it accelerates your development, improves your technical skills and demonstrates your commitment and willingness to learn. The opportunities and exposure you receive are a direct result of that trust.
Beyond salary, there are several benefits that I have found particularly valuable. The private healthcare and pension scheme are both strong benefits, and the gym and wellbeing perks are a welcome addition. I've also appreciated the effort made by both the team and the wider business to recognise achievements and celebrate successes. Team lunches following major milestones, recognition for good work and a genuinely supportive culture all contribute positively to the overall experience.
The Next Gen programme also provides opportunities to build relationships beyond your immediate team. Events such as the summer social, graduate networking events and the work of the Next Gen Committee help bring graduates together across different service lines and offices, which has been a great way to expand my network and share experiences with others at a similar stage in their career.

I feel the role is preparing me very well for my future career. Working within Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets has given me exposure to a broad range of transactions, clients and industry professionals, which has helped me to further develop my technical knowledge and commercial awareness.
The combination of live deal exposure, market analysis, underwriting and client-facing work has accelerated my understanding of the sector and how investment decisions are made. Alongside this, the Next Gen scheme and APC programme provide a strong framework for professional development and support my progression towards qualification.
One of the biggest strengths of the role is the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues who are highly regarded within the market. This has given me a much better understanding of the industry and the skills required to build a successful career in real estate.

The support I've received throughout the Next Gen programme and within the Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets team has been excellent. From joining the business, I've always felt comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance from colleagues at all levels. CBRE is and has always been well regarded and recognised for its inclusive and welcoming culture, everyone is willing to help one another which I think is such a valuable quality to find in a corporate environment. My line manager and the wider team have been very supportive of my development, taking the time to explain not just what we're doing, but why we're doing it. This has helped me build both my technical knowledge and commercial understanding much more quickly than I expected. The team also strikes a good balance between providing support and giving me responsibility, which has been important in building my confidence.

Overall, I think the work-life balance is good, particularly considering the nature of Capital Markets. There are naturally busier periods around deadlines, pitches and live transactions where longer hours are sometimes required, but this is something I expected when joining the industry. As a graduate, I think it's important to recognise that the more exposure and responsibility you want, the more effort you need to be willing to put in. I've found that the additional time invested during busy periods has accelerated my learning and given me opportunities to work on projects that might otherwise have been beyond my experience level. Outside of busy periods, there is generally good flexibility and an understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy balance. The hybrid working model, wellbeing initiatives and social side of the business all contribute positively. For me, the benefits of the experience, responsibility and development gained outweigh the occasional periods of longer hours.

The culture at CBRE is one of the strongest aspects of the business. The environment is professional and high-performing, but also collaborative and supportive. People are approachable, willing to share knowledge and genuinely invested in helping others succeed. Within the Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets team, there is a strong team culture where hard work is recognised and successes are celebrated. Whether it's completing a transaction, winning new instructions or achieving personal milestones, there's a genuine effort to acknowledge contributions and celebrate achievements together. I've also enjoyed being part of the wider Next Gen network. Events such as the Summer Social, networking opportunities and activities organised by the Next Gen Committee have helped create connections across different service lines and offices. This has helped build a strong sense of community amongst graduates and made it easier to develop relationships beyond my immediate team.
The culture encourages people to take initiative and develop their careers, whilst still providing the support needed to succeed. As a graduate, I've felt trusted, valued and included, which has made for a very positive experience overall.

I believe CBRE places a genuine focus on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. Throughout my time on the Next Gen programme, I have worked alongside colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and disciplines, which has created a culture where different perspectives are valued and encouraged. One initiative that stands out is the REACH Committee, which plays an important role in promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across the business. Through events, discussions and awareness campaigns, REACH helps create a safe space where people feel comfortable being themselves, sharing their experiences and contributing openly. I think initiatives like this are important in ensuring that everyone feels supported and represented, regardless of their background. There are regular initiatives, events and discussions that help raise awareness around diversity and inclusion, and these topics feel embedded within the wider culture rather than treated as a box-ticking exercise. As a graduate, I've always felt welcomed, included and comfortable contributing within both my immediate team and the wider business.

Yes

I'd definitely recommend CBRE to a friend. Since joining, I've been given a lot more responsibility than I expected as a graduate, which has helped me develop quickly and gain exposure to live deals from an early stage.
Working in the Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets team has given me the chance to learn from some very experienced people, whilst the Next Gen programme has been a great way to build relationships across the wider business. The culture is supportive, there's a strong emphasis on development and if you're willing to put yourself forward and work hard, there are a lot of opportunities available.

The role has exceeded my expectations. While the recruitment process accurately reflected the level of responsibility, client exposure and development opportunities available, I've been trusted with responsibilities that I would typically associate with someone more experienced, which has been both challenging and rewarding. I feel that the team has recognised the value I can add, and that trust has allowed me to develop much more quickly than I anticipated. The combination of responsibility, support and exposure has made the experience even better than I expected when I first joined.