FinArchives

1. In plain English, please describe your current role and function.

 

My title is Head of CMBS Securitization and I work for a company that lends money to commercial real estate owners.  Specifically, I help turn commercial real estate loans (like mortgages on office buildings, malls, or apartments) into investments that people can buy in bond/securities form called commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”). We bundle a number of these loans together, package them, and sell them to investors, which helps our company free up money to make more loans. My primary responsibility is to lead that whole process and make sure everything is structured, priced, and sold properly amongst other responsibilities.

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2. On average, how is your time divided across quantitative work (e.g., financial analysis), qualitative work (research and writing), presentations (to investors, management, etc), and other tasks? Please describe what falls into ‘other.’”

 

I would describe my role as a blend of analytical, qualitative, and execution-focused responsibilities. Approximately 30% of my time is spent on quantitative work, including credit analysis of commercial real estate loans and return analysis on financings. Another 30% is qualitative, focused on drafting marketing materials that clearly articulate the underlying real estate and investment thesis for investors.

Roughly 20% of my role involves marketing and presentation, where I present transactions to investors and address key risks and mitigants. The remaining 20% is dedicated to project management, coordinating across attorneys, accountants, internal teams, and external partners to ensure transactions are executed efficiently and on schedule.

 

3. Where did you attend college and what was your major/minor? Did you participate in any clubs in school or internships that you believe helped you decide what you wanted lol to pursue as your career?

 

I attended Barnard College, an all-women’s liberal arts college in New York, where I majored in Economics. While I was not involved in finance-focused clubs, I balanced part-time work during the academic year with several internships, primarily in IT, over the summers.

My interest in finance ultimately solidified through my experience at Goldman Sachs, where I worked in the Asset Management division during the summer of my junior year and continued through my senior year.

 

4. Do you have a graduate degree, and if so, what type? In your industry, is a graduate degree typically required or preferred for advancement, and do most professionals in your field have one?

 

I do not have a graduate degree.  I would say about 30% of the people in the industry have graduate degrees- usually a Masters in business administration or Masters in Real Estate Finance but typically not required to advance in the industry- at least not in my role.

 

5. What about certifications like as a chartered financial analyst, certified public accountant, or other similar certifications?   

 

I did obtain additional certifications when I was working at a bank (Citibank), I was series 7 and 63 certified.  Additional certifications (CFA) are not required for my role but for certain other roles in the industry like portfolio management, it might be required or highly preferred.

 

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6. what did you wish you had known in college that would have made your transition into the working world smoother.

 

Communication and presentation skills are essential if you want to advance in your career. It is also important to research different career paths, which is where your website could be especially helpful. Many people think of investment banking or consulting when they hear “finance,” but there are many other paths within the industry that one can take!

 

7. How will artificial intelligence (“AI”) impact your job and entry level jobs in your industry?

 

Our company has been exploring the use of AI in both our credit and securitization processes. The goal is to make certain tasks faster and more efficient, while also improving productivity and accuracy. At this stage, AI is not being used to replace entry-level hiring, but rather to help our existing team work more effectively and maintain current headcount while increasing output.  However, I foresee the use of AI to eliminate work that we have had to outsource.

 

8. What skills or qualities do you look for when hiring for an entry job level candidate?

 

I usually look for candidates with strong academic performance, as that is often a reflection of their work ethic, as well as a background in finance or real estate. I also value humility, eagerness to learn, and a personality that seems compatible with the company’s and team’s culture. During the interview, I look for strong communication skills and the ability to speak thoughtfully and in detail about something they have worked on, whether it is a school project or an internship experience. 

 

9. Is there any other information you would like to share that hasn’t been shared through the questions above?

 

Don’t let the size or name recognition of a firm turn you off too quickly. Some of the best learning happens at smaller firms, where there’s less red tape, more direct access to decision-makers, and a greater chance that your contributions will be noticed. In my experience, working at a smaller firm has been one of the best environments for growth because you can take on real responsibility faster, learn broadly, and see the impact of your work more clearly. A household name can be appealing, but a smaller platform can sometimes give you a much better foundation early in your career.