The Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate (FIRE) at the University of Notre Dame concluded the 2023-2024 academic year with an unprecedented class of graduates. The real estate minor, a partnership between FIRE and the Mendoza College of Business and Department of Finance, is a University-wide minor that will graduate 134 students in 2024, making it the largest minor on campus. The number of real estate graduates in 2024 is nearly double the size of the class from one year ago. Approximately one-third of the graduates will start their career in real estate jobs.
This year’s graduates will soon assume real estate roles with top firms such as Blackstone, ARES Management, EQT Exeter, AJ Capital, KKR, J.P. Morgan, Walton Street, Pennybacker Capital, JLL, Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs Real Estate, Focus Healthcare Partners, Bank of America, and Ocean West Capital Partners. Others plan to pursue opportunities in architecture, business, and engineering, as well as attend graduate school or law school.
“We are privileged to serve such an impressive group of students; they invest countless hours learning skills and concepts that will lead to success in the real estate industry. Their preparation and passion for critical issues, from affordable housing and sustainability to real estate private equity, energizes our team's efforts and is reflected in their successful career pursuits," said Eugenio Acosta, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Real Estate.
During this academic year, FIRE's students leveraged the extensive Notre Dame network, with 92 students participating on four different career treks to meet with employers in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Southwest Florida. In addition, the first two “Careers in Real Estate” events were held in September and April, providing students the opportunity to meet prospective employers. FIRE also hosted hundreds of alumni, parents, and other real estate professionals at its annual Fall Kickoff event and Coppola Family Real Estate Speaker Series, which is held in conjunction with the first home football home game each season. Supplementing these events, approximately 60 alumni and students paired up as part of a collaborative mentorship program between the Real Estate Notre Dame Club (REND) and FIRE.
FIRE asked three students pursuing differentiated opportunities in the real estate industry to describe their experience in FIRE and the real estate minor and how it has prepared them for their careers in real estate:
Carson Scott - Finance, Class of 2024
Real Estate Notre Dame Club Co-President
Firm: Cruachan Capital - Salt Lake City, UT
"My ultimate goal in coming to Notre Dame was to continuously push myself academically, socially, and spiritually. FIRE and its network provided me with these opportunities through numerous experiential learning classes, networking opportunities, and underlying religious initiatives. From the caring professors to the numerous experiential programs, FIRE has provided a profound program to cut my teeth on before entering the commercial real estate industry. Its interdisciplinary curriculum presented me with the proficiency, knowledge, and skills required to succeed in my endeavors and achieve my goals. The access to renowned industry practitioners provided an opportunity to learn from the best and brightest, lighting the fire I needed to illuminate my path into the industry.
I now graduate with a full-time job at a real estate private equity firm, a supportive network, and a desire to do good for the world through my work in real estate."
Sidney Whiting - Finance, Class of 2024
Notre Dame Women’s Swimming and Diving
Firm: RBC Capital Markets - Charlotte, NC
"Adding the real estate minor was pivotal in my academic journey at Notre Dame in finding the passion I wanted to pursue beyond college. The Real Estate Fundamentals course was my entry point into the minor, providing an overview of the industry and introducing me to industry terms. Initially, I viewed real estate as a niche area within finance, but I quickly learned about the diverse career paths it offers, which really excited me.
In my senior year, I took Economics of Housing, which deepened my understanding of the housing affordability crisis. This class showed me that I could apply my financial analysis skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those burdened by housing costs.
I am very grateful for the knowledge, opportunities, and mentorship the institute has provided, which have been instrumental in shaping my career path and experience at Notre Dame.
Thanks to the mentorship from professors and guidance from the career center including resume reviews and career fairs, I secured a position at RBC Capital Markets in Charlotte, NC. Here, within the Community Investments team, I will apply my skills in financial underwriting to facilitate affordable housing tax credit deals across the country."
Ida Addo - Economics, Class of 2024
Firm: PGIM - Newark, NJ
"The real estate minor has heightened my engagement with the built environment on both local and global scales. My focus lies in utilizing real estate as a catalyst for community revitalization and economic development within urban settings, which motivated my choice to pursue this minor. I have appreciated the diverse array of real estate courses offered, covering aspects such as law, finance, social justice, hospitality, and even religious institutions.
One of my favorite opportunities within the minor was my study abroad program in Thailand, where I delved into the development, design, and financing of hotels. This opportunity provided valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges faced by dynamic cities like Bangkok, spanning social, economic, and ecological dimensions.
Through FIRE, I have acquired the necessary skills and experiences to embark on my post-graduate journey as an Investment Analyst at PGIM Real Estate. PGIM Real Estate presents an exceptional learning environment within the commercial real estate industry, characterized by its client-focused approach, expansive global reach, and steadfast commitment to sustainable investment practices."
About the Institute
Notre Dame's Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate (FIRE) educates and inspires exceptional students, conducts world-class research, and engages with an unparalleled network of industry professionals to create places of lasting value. Through rigorous scholarship and collaborations across disciplinary lines, FIRE strives to be the top real estate program in the country, doing so in a way that promotes Notre Dame’s mission to be a force for good in our nation and world.
For questions about FIRE, please contact FIRE’s Senior Associate Director, Geno Acosta at eacosta2@nd.edu.
To support FIRE and real estate students at ND, click here.