IREM recently launched an internship program that introduces newcomers to the field of real estate management. To mark the first phase of the program, which will be expanded over time, an internship section has been created on IREM's popular online job board, www.iremjobs.org. Here, employers can post internship openings at no cost, and students can search for positions, upload resumes and apply to postings directly through the site.
"This internship program will provide newcomers to the industry with the preparation they need to succeed in real estate management," said Regina Mullins, 2008 IREM president. "We are not only building a future for these individuals, we're building the future for the industry."
According to Mullins, IREM recognizes the many benefits students receive from internship experiences. Interns are given the opportunity to apply lessons from the classroom to real-world situations, learn new skills, and get a feel for the career they are about to enter. These students then return to the classroom with a better understanding of the big picture, and are better able to complete assignments and projects. Upon graduation, they will have an established network of contacts in the industry and a practical understanding of the field.
"Not only do students benefit from internships," Mullins said, "but employers are rewarded with a pipeline of future recruits and potential employees. In addition, interns may bring new viewpoints or creative solutions to existing problems."