Mariel Figueroa interned at New York Habitat, conducting research on rental properties and gaining new knowledge of real estate laws and business processes.
How did you get your internship and why did you choose it?
I knew that I needed to search for something remote due to the lack of in-person internships near me, which led me to finding an internship that was based in New York City. I applied online and heard back from the company, and from there did an interview, and that is how I got my internship. I was extremely nervous for this interview, but was able to successfully secure an offer.
I chose this internship because the idea of working in real estate caught my eye, but I was still unsure of exactly what I wanted to do. I decided I was going to use the internship as an opportunity to discover what this career was like and gain skills that I could use for future jobs. Luckily, I ended up really enjoying it and had an amazing experience.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Throughout my internship I did a lot of training on the company operations and administrative processes as well as understanding real estate laws. The company I was working for does short-term rentals in different cities and I was working with the rentals in New York and gathering documents to ensure that the property details were accurate. I worked on updating the systems with documents, due diligence document gathering, and contacting property owners. It was also a remote internship, which was also a new experience for me.
What was the most satisfying part of your internship?
My favorite part of my internship was growing and improving past challenges that I had, and getting to learn so much about a new field. I had moments where I was struggling with my work, but I was able to overcome them and it is very satisfying to see yourself grow. I also have a lot of new knowledge about real estate laws in New York City, and it makes me interested in the field and possibly pursuing a career as a paralegal.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship experience made me want to continue learning about this field and opened me up to different possibilities that I didn’t even know existed. I like this field so much that I decided to do another internship in the summer for real estate law in Lisbon, Portugal. Due to this company I worked with also doing rentals internationally, it opened me up to more ideas and interests, and new goals to pursue.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for their internship?
I would advise other students to keep their search open to career fields and internships that will help them cultivate new skills and not just focus on the job title. I also would say to apply to any roles or organizations that sound interesting to you, because you never know where it will lead. Also, just stay hopeful because the search is not easy and is one of the more stressful parts of this experience. I wish everyone the best of luck with their internships and hope that they enjoy their experiences!