Vanessa Geich – Class of 2026 (Finance and Real Estate)
What was your role, company, and location?
I was an Investment Sales Agent Intern at Matthew REIS in El Segundo, California.
What essential skills did you gain during the internship?
I gained key skills in underwriting various property types, including Single-Tenant Net Lease (STNL), multifamily, and office buildings. I also developed a deeper understanding of market research, financial modeling, and property valuation. I was able to sharpen my communication skills by working directly with property owners and presenting deal insights.
What was your final project like, or what was your favorite part of the internship?
My final project involved working on a live deal where I underwrote a property, became an expert in the Los Angeles real estate market, and presented Offering Memorandums to property owners, including suggested pricing. My favorite part of the internship was learning how real estate regulations vary significantly between states, especially the unique aspects of the California market. I also built lasting friendships and a strong network that I’ll carry forward in my career!
Any tips for students looking to land an internship?
The most valuable advice I can offer is to network actively and ask thoughtful questions — engaging with colleagues will significantly enhance your learning experience. Don’t stress about knowing everything; internships are for learning through mistakes, so stay open to feedback. What sets successful interns apart is demonstrating genuine curiosity, taking initiative, and showing authentic interest in both the work and industry.
Charles Bennett – Class of 2026 (Finance & Real Estate)
What was your role, company, and location?
I was a Real Estate Equity Summer Analyst at Ares Management in Denver, CO.
What essential skills did you gain during the internship?
I learned how to underwrite many different types of real estate equity investments from ground-up development to core acquisitions. Additionally, my Excel and PowerPoint skills have significantly increased.
What was your final project like, or what was your favorite part of the internship?
My favorite part of the internship was the amount of responsibility I was given as a Summer Analyst. This past summer, I had the opportunity to be responsible for the entire underwrite of several core, value-add, and development live deals in different markets across the United States. Overall, the high level of responsibility I had at the internship allowed me to learn significantly more about real estate modeling and investing.
Any tips for students looking to land an internship?
I would recommend doing research on companies in cities you are interested in and then using LinkedIn to set up coffee chats to network with people at your target firms prior to applying. I am also always happy to speak with other students about my experience, so feel free to reach out to set up a chat.
Delaney Witko – Class of 2027 (Finance & Real Estate)
What was your role, company, and location?
I was an Asset Management and Secondary Markets Intern at Constructive Capital in Oakbrook, IL
What essential skills did you gain during the internship?
During my summer internship, I developed comprehensive skills across two critical areas of real estate finance. On the Asset Management team, I gained hands-on experience in loan performance tracking, borrower relationship management, and risk assessment through payment monitoring and covenant compliance analysis. In Secondary Markets, I contributed to note sales and loan pool valuations while conducting market research and pricing analysis for asset disposition. I also gained essential excel skills. These experiences allowed me to build both technical analytical skills and client-facing communication abilities essential for a successful career in commercial real estate finance.
What was your final project like, or what was your favorite part of the internship?
My final project was a capstone project to the C-Suite with the other interns presenting everything we did this summer and a SWOT analysis for the company based on projects we worked on. My favorite part of the internship was getting to know my fellow interns and the employees at the company. Everyone was so helpful and kind. I also enjoyed my daily tasks like running a pipeline sweep and major projects that had a direct impact on the company.
Any tips for students looking to land an internship?
Apply, apply, apply! Don’t ever give up and prepare–utilize the business school resources! Find companies you are most interested in and in those companies, find something unique you like about them and can talk about in an interview. Attending events and fieldtrips are also a great way to meet people and show interest in your career.
Charlie Wheeler – Class of 2026 (Finance)
What was your role, company, and location?
I was a Development Analyst Intern at Stotan Industrial in Chicago, IL.
What essential skills did you gain during the internship?
I gained experience in underwriting and modeling, building pitch decks, and doing market research. Being part of a small team meant I was able to jump in and contribute on almost every project, which gave me a wide range of exposure and lots of hands-on learning.
What was your final project like, or what was your favorite part of the internship?
One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was my Capstone project. I identified a 42-acre off-market parcel in Ohio, connected directly with the landowner, and kicked off negotiations by drafting and submitting a Letter of Intent. Watching that effort turn into a live pursuit for our company was exciting and gave me a real understanding of what it takes to bring a deal to life.
Any tips for students looking to land an internship?
Be involved and stay curious! In addition, attending Real Estate Club meetings, doing the field trips, and talking to your peers will open so many doors.
Carson Possedi – Class of 2026 (Finance & Real Estate)
What was your role, company, and location?
Last summer I interned at Invesco as a Real Estate Summer Analyst in San Francisco. I really enjoyed the exposure I gained to different areas of institutional real estate investing, including acquisitions, investment management, valuations, and how funds are structured to achieve their goals.
What essential skills did you gain during the internship?
Beyond those experiences, I worked on a variety of tasks, projects, and case studies. This gave me the chance to sharpen my underwriting and Excel skills, conduct market research, and perform ARGUS scenario analyses.
What was your final project like, or what was your favorite part of the internship?
My most notable project was my capstone, which was building a hypothetical $2 billion diversified fund. This involved market research, asset selection, property- and fund-level underwriting, and ultimately presenting recommendations to Invesco’s CIOC. The project was especially valuable because it tied together everything I had learned throughout the internship.
Any tips for students looking to land an internship?
For students looking to land an internship, my biggest advice is to apply broadly and stay persistent. Don’t get discouraged by rejections and focus on ways to stand out, whether through networking, sharing personal stories, or connecting over mutual interests. If a recruiter or team member genuinely likes you, they will often go the extra mile to advocate on your behalf!
Lorenzo Garcia – Class of 2026 (Finance & Real Estate)
What was your role, company, and location?
I was a Summer Analyst at Clarion Partners in New York, NY.
What essential skills did you gain during the internship?
This summer, I gained hands-on experience in acquisitions and asset management, including underwriting, the operational and strategic aspects of property management, and performance analysis. I strengthened my analytical and presentation skills by introducing prospective deals and developing performance reports. Additionally, through exposure to the investment committee, property tours, and more, I developed market knowledge and gained a deeper understanding of the real estate industry’s inner workings.
What was your final project like, or what was your favorite part of the internship?
The highlight of my time at Clarion was participating in Masterclasses, where individuals in senior and executive roles shared more about their careers and day-to-day. These Masterclasses expanded my knowledge beyond acquisitions and asset management, as I had the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals across the firm.
Any tips for students looking to land an internship?
I recommend that students looking to land an internship, research both the company they are applying to and the sectors in which it invests. Coming across as an expert can make all the difference. Also, I am always happy to share more about my experience, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.