The Career Mentor Program is an excellent opportunity for Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center members and our real estate students to interact. In this program, every fall we pair real estate students with industry leaders who offer insights gained from their professional experience. Students face unique challenges and greatly benefit from the assistance of career mentors who counsel them on what it means and what it takes to be a real estate professional.
"Interacting with Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center mentors has enabled me to keep my finger on the pulse of the real estate industry and markets, and helped me feel I was more involved in the industry. The professionals with whom I have had the honor of meeting have been extremely generous with both their time and advice. My mentors helped me navigate through networking and recruitment in ways that only someone who has invested time in getting to know you can. I view my mentor relationships as some of the most formative connections made during my time at Wharton."
— Kathleen Betz, Wharton MBA Candidate 2015
"Everyone knows the Zell/Lurie Career Mentor Program is a phenomenal opportunity for students. What people might not know is that the hard-working staff at Zell/Lurie have opened up the Mentor Program to students outside of Wharton who are interested in real estate. As a law student, I had the chance to participate in the Mentor Program during my first year. My mentor gave me incredible career advice, and put me in touch with the lawyers I needed to know to help me land a summer position with the top real estate law firm in the country. More students should take advantage of this amazing program."
— Teo Victoria, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Class of 2017
"The Zell/Lurie Center's Mentorship Program is an extraordinary resource and a critical component of Wharton's unique real estate program. I have had the pleasure of interacting with professionals of varied backgrounds, all of whom have been exceedingly generous with their time and willingness to share networks and advice. Regular interactions with my mentors have helped me develop a strong understanding of the real estate industry from leading professionals, which has been invaluable in my career development."
— William Concannon, Wharton MBA Candidate 2015
"Through the Zell/Lurie Mentorship Program, I have the unique and invaluable opportunity to interact closely with a leader in the world of commercial real estate. My mentor is always eager to share his insights and help me develop my passion for real estate. I am most grateful for his career guidance, as he truly cares about "paying it forward" to students pursuing a career in commercial real estate. Despite his very busy schedule, my mentor meets with me a few times a year and is always available to communicate with me by email.
— Brendan Stone, Wharton Undergraduate, Class of 2017
"Zell/Lurie's mentor program is a structured way to connect students with industry leaders. It gives everyone involved an early opportunity to scout out both job prospects and candidates. Perhaps more important, the mentor/mentee relationship helps students think through their career plans with the benefit of both industry knowledge and career perspective. Linking the program with the Fall Members' Meeting makes it possible for participants to meet in person and get a meaningful head-start."
— Jeffrey A. Barclay, Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co.
"Through the Career Mentor program at the Zell/Lurie Center, mentors guide the next generation of leaders in real estate, meanwhile refreshing our own enthusiasm for the field. This immediate contact with students keeps us directly involved in shaping the future of the industry, lending an entirely new dimension to our professional involvement and development."
— Neil L. Rubler, Founder & CEO, Vessel Technologies
"I have very much enjoyed participating in the Zell Lurie Career Mentor program. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to meet a number of bright, fun, interesting individuals at a very exciting time in their lives. Many have been confident that they would like to pursue a career in real estate, but uncertain what specific area to pursue. Many are interested in hearing about my journey from Wharton to W. P. Carey. My goal as a mentor is to act as a resource and sounding board as the students explore opportunities in the real estate field. What has been most rewarding for me is being part of a program that provides the foundation for a strong relationship into the future as the students enter the professional workforce."
— Katie Barthmaier, Executive Director, W. P. Carey. Inc.
To become a Career Mentor or to find out more about our programs, please email Ron Smith or call 215.746.4709.