Employment Outlook and Opportunities

The Real Estate option offers a broad education in the economic, financial, legal, public policy and strategic aspects of real estate markets. Students who come out of the Real Estate option are well-equipped with the quantitative and qualitative skills necessary to work in the industry.

This option is a practical degree for a range of careers in real estate, such as:

  • Development
  • Leasing
  • Financing
  • Property management

Those wishing to pursue careers in planning would benefit from the Real Estate option as well. It is also a great stepping stone for careers outside the Real Estate industry in such areas as consulting, entrepreneurship, finance and marketing. One of the most notable benefits of this option is the smaller class sizes.

There is an international demand for real estate industry professionals. However, a key detriment to this career choice is the cyclical nature of the industry and the resulting employment outlook. Opportunities in the industry tend to correspond with ups and downs in the economy and housing market.

Skill Set Required

  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Political savvy
  • Entrepreneurial outlook
  • Negotiation skills
  • Self-motivation
  • Foreign language skills are an asset
  • Critical reasoning
  • Project management skills

Real Estate Co-op

Get Real Estate experience during your degree. Business Co-op students complete a total of 12 months of full-time, paid work with up to three different companies. Past Real Estate Co-op students have worked at agencies and companies including Public Works & Services Canada, Environment Canada, GWL Realty, and more.

Real Estate Internship & Mentorship Program

Before starting 4th year, selected third-year students participate in a paid internship over the summer in real estate brokerage development, finance, investment, consulting firms or government agencies. This program will provide you with experience and training in the real estate industry.

Participation in the Real Estate Internship & Mentorship Program requires the student to be enrolled in or have taken COMM 307. Students also have to be returning for at least one more semester at UBC Sauder and meet regularly with the program advisor. Contact Tsur Somerville (tsur.somerville@sauder.ubc.ca) to learn more.

Start a Career in Real Estate

Some potential positions and future career paths include working as an:

  • Acquisitions Analyst
  • Residential Appraiser
  • Credit Analyst
  • Community Relations Coordinator
  • Development Assistant
  • Leasing Coordinator
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Mortgage Officer

Additional education or certification may be required for some occupations (e.g. completion of association registration, a professional program, or specialized studies).

Who Hires BCom Real Estate Grads?

  • Avison Young
  • BC Assessment
  • BC Housing
  • BentallGreenOak
  • Bosa Properties
  • Colliers International
  • Grosvenor Canada Limited
  • Hungerford Properties
  • JLL
  • Ledcor Group of Companies
  • Lowtide Properties
  • Quadreal Property Group
  • PC Urban
  • PCI Construction Group
  • Public Works & Government Services Canada

What can I join?

How do I find jobs in Real Estate

You can find opportunities in many places, including:

  • COOL job postings
  • Company job postings
  • Career fairs and company info sessions
  • Connections made through Co-op work terms
  • UBC faculty leads
  • Business Career Centre staff leads
  • Self-networking

Other job sites:

Thinking about doing a Business Analytics concentration?

Read the Working in Business Analytics guide on COOL to explore different business analytics opportunities, salary info & more!


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