https://projectdestined.com/

Project Destined

Commercial real estate intern

January - April 2023 • Los Angeles, CA

What I liked

I really enjoyed this experience. I learned so much and got to meet so many incredible individuals who work in the real estate industry. I truly feel much more prepared to pursue my career in real estate after this experience with Project Destined.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

Take advantage of the networking opportunities this experience provides!
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Internship

March - April 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

The direct lending program was an incredible opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge base in commercial real estate. Through this program, I had the privilege of connecting with professionals at ACRE and gaining valuable insights into the industry. I was thoroughly excited to be able to learn from their expertise and am now inspired to pursue a career in commercial real estate. As I continue my studies at the University of Chicago, I feel confident that the skills and knowledge I acquired through this program will serve me well in achieving my career goals.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

Apply today!
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Commercial Real Estate Intern

January - April 2023 • Irvine, CA

What I liked

I loved how engaging the program was and of the different programs available outside of the internship.

What I wish was different

That there was greater communication among my team.

Advice

All of Project Destined is an interview process. You’re creating your reputation by raising your hand and taking on more work. Be the hardest worker and be the most curious.
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Commercial Real Estate Intern

January 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I joined Project Destined as a freshman in late 2017. The program has been a life changing opportunity that equipped me with knowledge and confidence to pursue a career in commercial real estate. I served as a strategic corporate relations and division manager, providing a part-time CRE internship to hundreds of students across the nation and building corporate relations to expand the program nationally and internationally.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Affordable Housing Program Participant

March - April 2023 • New Brunswick, NJ

What I liked

I liked that Project Destined allows students the opportunity to learn more about the real estate world, whether it be commercial, affordable housing, residential, etc.

What I wish was different

I wish that there is more engagement, such as more in-person events.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share is to take full advantage of the opportunity to be apart of any Project Destined program. Ask questions, network, and do your research.
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Commercial Real Estate Fellow

February - April 2023 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The Affordable Housing Bridge Program powered by Project Destined was an incredible opportunity to connect with and learn from professionals in the affordable housing industry. This program was a great introduction to the affordable housing side of commercial real estate. Thank you to all the professionals who shared their career journeys and provided insight into the affordable housing industry. Thank you to Project Destined for organizing this opportunity, I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I gained from this program in my professional career.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Commercial Real Estate Intern

September 2021 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Great platform to get into Real Estate

What I wish was different

They're constantly changing so I feel that my experience was relevant and good for that moment.

Advice

Be open to all of the opportunities being offered in PD. You can see the many aspects of Commercial Real Estate, but once you find your calling, network like crazy (Network even if you don't know your calling), get those internships, and you'll be great.
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Program Manager

May 2022 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Having been a part of Project Destined for three internship seasons, I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences of my professional career. As a program manager twice over, I had the opportunity to dive deep into the program's curriculum and work closely with the team. The skills and knowledge I gained through Project Destined have been invaluable in my career, and I couldn't be more grateful. In addition to the tangible benefits, I also gained an incredible network of like-minded individuals through Project Destined. The connections I made will undoubtedly be useful throughout my career, and I know that I can rely on this network for advice, support, and guidance. The focus on developing an #ownership mindset is one of the program's standout features. Learning about real estate from this perspective has fundamentally changed the way I approach my work and has given me a newfound sense of confidence and motivation. Overall, I can't recommend Project Destined enough. If you're looking for a platform to learn about real estate and gain the skills and mindset necessary for success in the industry, this is it. The team is knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about what they do, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Intern

January - April 2023 • Knoxville, TN

What I liked

I loved how this was virtual so you could be more involved in all of the different facets of real estate that they had to offer.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more communication with the hiring for acceptance and rejection of different bridge programs. There were certain ones I never heard back from and didn't know if I was rejected or not because they were still recruiting interns.

Advice

I would say this was one of the best experiences I could have involved myself in. I loved participating in both internships I did through them and would not trade it! I can't wait to do more here.
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Commercial Real Estate Intern

January - April 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I loved how Project Destined felt like a sense of community: being able to meet other students within my college (Baruch College) plus other students who are in a similar finance/real estate careers/majors. I also loved being about to gain so much knowledge in real estate and on top of that also gain skills in like market analysis, financial modeling and enhance my skills in teamwork and public speaking.

What I wish was different

I wished there were more executive speaker series at different times throughout the day/week. I believe this would be more helpful in a way where if I had free time, I would be able to join more of these zoom meetings, network and gain even more valuable knowledge in real estate.

Advice

Network!! Don't be afraid to reach out to your peers or even connect with all the professionals that were speakers within the zoom meetings.
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Fellow

March - April 2023 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked the opportunities, networking, and ease of process Project Destined designed for the interns.

What I wish was different

It all went smoothly; I would not change anything.

Advice

Be active and take advantage of the opportunities they provide. The process is simple and very helpful.
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Commercial Real Estate Intern

September 2022 - April 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I liked gaining exposure to real estate.

What I wish was different

More real-life up-to-date deals.

Advice

Take advantage of the opportunities to meet important stakeholders.
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Real Estate Intern

January - June 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I learned tremendous aspects of commercial real estate and participate in an executive speaker series.

What I wish was different

I liked everything about it!

Advice

Be productive and eager to learn!
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Commercial Real Estate Intern

May - August 2022 • Washington, DC

What I liked

My experience as an Intern, current Ambassador, and Program Lead at Project Destined was monumental. It’s like Shark Tank, so our team (Brookfield Properties D.C.) of about 15 students pitched a fictional property to professionals in the real estate industry in order to get them to invest in it through competitions. My team was actually Division Champions, and we made it to 3rd place in the National Competition out of about 20 total sponsored teams. Because of Project Destined, I updated my resume, I used to barely have any experiences, but now I don’t have enough space on the page! I realized the power of LinkedIn, I connected with random professionals in all types of industries. I got experience in corporate outreach and market research, I would contact real estate executives from companies and organizations to partner with Project Destined. I did this because I wanted to grow and expand the program. I completed a master class on Financial Modeling, where we built a pro forma, and I’m doing many other Bridge Programs as well. Personally, before I did the internship, I knew absolutely nothing about real estate. Now, I am extremely interested in it, and will have a career in affordable housing. In 2022, I was a staff member as a Communications Manager. Moreover, I completed Project Destined's Affordable Housing Development Program, as well as the CBRE HBCU Bridge Program, among many others, all of which students receive stipends. Also, I became a Co-Lead for that same CBRE Program in 2023, where we led 40+ Fellows from 15+ HBCUs. We have had multiple Student Ambassador pep rallies, where we discuss the many methods of reaching out to students to apply for the upcoming cohorts. Project Destined started with 15 students in Detroit, led by CEO & Co-Founder, Cedric Bobo. Now, we have impacted over 5,000 students worldwide and still growing!

What I wish was different

Advice

Perseverance. Attention to detail. Do not give up. If the team does not get placed high in the competitions, you can still come back and end up winning Nationals.
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Program Manager

August 2022 • Detroit, MI

What I liked

Project Destined is an amazing commercial real estate program that provides students exposure to some of the top firms in the country! Project Destined executive series allows students to learn from top talent in different industries such as development, private equity, asset management, and many other areas within commercial real estate. I love that I got to interact with many people from all different parts of the country and world. And I love what Project Destined is building in Detroit, MI.

What I wish was different

I wish I had got involved with this program earlier, then I would have been able to take advantage of the opportunities that Project Destined provides and been exposed to the material earlier. Though I have been lucky to build great relationships and gain opportunities in a short period of time as a senior, getting as much exposure earlier, is always key!

Advice

One piece of advice I would share about this experience is stay engaged, and take advantage of all of the opportunities that are presented! Project Destined provides access to so many programs, scholarships, internships, full-time roles, financial modeling, etc and students should sign up and participate as much as possible. You can learn so much by asking questions, networking, and keeping your hands on the pulse of this program! Take advantage, there are so many people who are involved in this program that want to see students succeed!
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Program Manager

February - April 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

This was my third time participating in the program, and I was amazed by how it developed throughout the term. According to what I heard, site visits went more smoothly for teams, and the quality of the interns has undoubtedly improved. I appreciate how the staff was more helpful in relieving the PMs of some of the burdensome responsibilities, giving us more time to concentrate on the development of the intern.

What I wish was different

Although intern quality has improved, there are still numerous problems with the interns' commitment once accepted into the program, which causes many of them to drop out. I believe that these concerns need to be addressed first. Second, I believe that additional lectures, rather than speaker events, should be included to help interns broaden their understanding of the subject because, from what I've heard, most speaker events are just repetitions. Finally, there were sessions where program managers could pick up more real estate knowledge, whether through a required Coursera course or through lectures or training that we might attend.

Advice

The key to success is availability. If you can't be available or are working a full-time job, don't join because you won't be adding any value to the interns' experience. You should either do that or have good time management skills. And finally, make sure your team has a certain dynamic and chemistry that encourages interaction among members without your constant encouragement to find ways to establish a rapport right away.
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Program Manager

December 2022 - April 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Really enjoyable experience. You get the opportunity to not only develop as a leader when you are a PM, but you also get to understand new markets when you work with people in other schools. This opportunity has largely developed lots of the skills I have today.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be involved with your team, and make sure you leverage the partnerships.
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Real Estate Manager Intern

August - December 2022 • Minneapolis, MN

What I liked

One of the things I like most about my internship with Project Destined is the opportunity to learn about real estate investing in a hands-on and practical way. The program's emphasis on real-world experience has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and its nuances, as well as develop valuable skills that will be useful throughout my career. In addition to the focus on real estate, I also appreciate the wide range of resources and opportunities that Project Destined provides to help interns succeed. From financial modeling courses to boot camps and executive speaker series, the program offers a wealth of resources that can help interns develop their skills and build their professional networks. Ultimately, I believe that Project Destined has the potential to be a game-changer for anyone who is interested in real estate investing. If you take advantage of all the opportunities that the program provides, you can gain the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to achieve your goals and build a successful career in the industry.

What I wish was different

When reflecting on my internship experience with Project Destined, there is one thing that I wish had been different. Looking back, I regret not taking full advantage of the networking opportunities that were available through the program's executive speaker series. During my time with Project Destined, I had the chance to hear from a number of high-level executives who had achieved great success in the real estate industry. These speakers offered valuable insights and perspectives on the industry, and I know that connecting with them could have been a valuable way to expand my professional network and gain exposure to new opportunities.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would share with others is to take full advantage of all the opportunities that the program has to offer. Project Destined is a comprehensive internship program that is designed to provide interns with a wide range of resources and experiences to help them develop their skills and build their professional networks. From financial modeling courses to executive speaker series to real-world investment experience, the program offers a wealth of opportunities that can be incredibly valuable for interns who are looking to grow their careers in the real estate industry. In my own experience, I found that the more I engaged with the program and took advantage of the opportunities that were available, the more I was able to gain from my internship experience. Whether it was participating in case studies, attending networking events, or seeking out mentorship from experienced professionals, I found that every aspect of the program offered a chance to learn something new and connect with others who shared my passion for real estate. So, my advice to anyone who is considering an internship with Project Destined is to approach the experience with an open mind and a willingness to engage fully with the program. By taking advantage of all the opportunities that are available, you can gain valuable skills and insights that will help you build a successful career in real estate, while also making connections and building relationships that could benefit you for years to come.
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Program Manager

January 2022 - April 2023 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

I enjoyed the wide variety of opportunities created by Project Destined. As a program manager, I had the opportunity to help lead a team of interns. Because of this experience, I gained a vast professional network consisting of commercial real estate industry leaders and students from across the U.S. I appreciate how much though and effort is put into ensuring this program runs smoothly and how much effort is put into creating new opportunities for its interns and Program Managers.

What I wish was different

I wish Program Managers were given additional opportunities to learn more about commercial real estate after completing their internship.

Advice

Never be afraid to stand out and ask questions. Asking questions and learning is extremely important in commercial real estate.
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Commercial Real Estate Intern

January 2022 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Project Destined is the best internship any student looking to learn more about commercial real estate could have. Project Destined sets students up for success to decide if a path in the commercial real estate field is a right fit for them. Project Destined connects you with key leaders in the industry such as JLL, CBRE, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Northmarq, Walker & Dunlop and many more.

What I wish was different

I wouldn't change anything I wouldn't be where am today without Project Destined. They truly set you up for success and want to see you succeed.

Advice

Be a sponge to the program take in as much knowledge as possible so you are able to accurately decide if this is the career for you within commercial real estate . Project Destined will help you build your network and your network is your net worth I like to say.
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