Michael Benedict pitched an internship at Sotheby’s International Realty to expand his knowledge of residential real estate and build skills in marketing and interpersonal communication.
How did you get your internship and why did you choose it?
I got this internship through a family friend that my dad worked for many years ago. I had an interest in real estate and when I expressed my interest in real estate, my dad told me about someone he knew who became a very successful real estate agent. He stayed in contact with her and suggested that I should reach out to her to see if she would host an intern. It took a lot of courage to ask, but I took the chance and she loved the idea and agreed to take me on as an intern.
I chose this internship because I was interested in the field of real estate but did not know much about it. I took a real estate development course prior to the internship and after enjoying the class I wanted to intern and see if it was really something I would enjoy doing. After completing it, I am happy to report that it was exactly the career field I was looking for.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
My supervisor is a great real estate agent, and I was lucky to be able to shadow her through every client interaction. I went with her on listing appointments and took notes on the properties. I learned the computer systems that realtors use to find information about houses and how to post new listings on MLS. I also got the opportunity to do some marketing on a listing and learned what makes a house stand out and how to market it to potential buyers. I also was able to conference on her client calls and learned how to communicate with clients and how to close deals.
What new knowledge and skills did you gain in this internship?
I gained a lot of knowledge and transferable skills during my internship. I first learned all about the real estate market, specifically about market trends, market demand, as well as investment potential. A great transferable skill that I practiced was client communication. I had regular interactions with clients and fellow business associates. Being able to effectively communicate and remain professional is a great skill I can carry on into my career.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
One of my favorite parts of the internship was the opportunity to witness the emotions people experienced with each real estate transaction. For most people, buying or selling a house is one of the largest financial transactions they will participate in in their lifetime and there is a lot of emotion involved with that. I got to see the excitement of clients showing us their houses and how much they enjoyed it and how much effort they put in making it home. I also got to see the excitement of someone getting the keys to their new house and how happy they were for their next chapter in life. It was satisfying to know that while working in this industry I can make a difference in people's lives.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
While completing the internship I realized that working in residential real estate is what I want to continue to do for the foreseeable future. I decided to tell my site supervisor that I want to continue to work and learn for her. I am in the process of getting my real estate license and then I will continue to work and learn from some of the best in the business.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and/or begin their internship?
To be honest, as I was completing the Applied Humanities major, I was not looking forward to the process of getting an internship. However, after reaching out and making an internship for an internship that I was interested in, I am so grateful for the support I have received and the opportunities I now have. My best advice to every student is to reach out and take chances. The internship is an opportunity to learn about yourself and what you want to do in the future.