Cushman & Wakefield Internship Programs: Launching Your Career in Commercial Real Estate

Cushman & Wakefield, a global commercial real estate services firm with a rich history spanning over a century, offers comprehensive internship programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for thriving careers in the industry. With 52,000 professionals across approximately 400 offices in 60 countries, Cushman & Wakefield provides a vast network and diverse range of opportunities for aspiring real estate professionals. These internships span across various business disciplines, welcoming candidates from all educational backgrounds and degree programs.

A Deep Dive into the Portfolio Services Center Summer Internship

One notable program is the Portfolio Services Center Summer Internship, an 8-10 week immersive experience that introduces students to the multifaceted world of commercial real estate. Interns gain real-world, hands-on experience through important assignments, problem-solving scenarios, and ownership of their work.

Key Responsibilities and Skill Development

As a Portfolio Services Center Intern, individuals gain practical experience in several key areas:

Research & Analysis: Gathering information, conducting research, and analyzing data to provide actionable insights and informed recommendations.
Operational Support: Assisting with daily business activities, ensuring smooth execution of tasks and timely responses to requests.
Client Service: Addressing day-to-day inquiries, offering accurate information and guidance while ensuring issues are resolved effectively.
Process Execution: Following established procedures and systems to meet quality standards and operational requirements.
Professional Development: Building expertise through on-the-job training, mentorship, and observation.
Issue Resolution: Reviewing, reconciling, and helping resolve client concerns with support from management.
Project Coordination: Tracking timelines and milestones to support project delivery.
Reporting: Preparing and distributing monthly reports to support business insights and decision-making.
Team Collaboration: Partnering with managers to support departmental goals and contribute to strategic initiatives.
Intern Cohort Engagement: Collaborating with fellow interns to explore the commercial real estate services industry and share learnings.
Special Projects: Taking ownership of assigned projects that align with individual interests and business needs.
Capstone Presentation: Delivering a final presentation to local leadership summarizing the internship experience, key learnings, and contributions.

Enhancing the Internship Experience

Cushman & Wakefield enriches the internship experience through several key initiatives:

Virtual Global Speaker Series: Interns participate in a Virtual Global Speaker Series, gaining insights into the commercial real estate industry and professional development topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the company culture and values.
Mentorship Program: Each intern is paired with a mentor for bi-weekly meetings, providing personalized guidance and support throughout the program.

Voices from the Field: Intern Testimonials

Former interns have lauded the program for its learning layout, supportive environment, and opportunities for growth. One intern highlighted the value of the initial training period, which focused on learning the basics and becoming familiar with the software before transitioning to property-related work. The availability of mentors and managers to answer questions was also praised.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

Another intern shared their experience supporting the Tenant Representation team, emphasizing the invaluable experience and strong mentorship they received. They chose Cushman & Wakefield for its prestige and found that the experience exceeded their expectations, significantly contributing to their growth as a young professional.

Another intern focused on a project mapping office buildings in ATLAS, focusing on vacant square footage to enhance team efficiency and strategic decision-making. This experience honed their analytical skills and taught them the importance of organized data for operational success. They were fortunate to be part of a collaborative and friendly workspace, where brokers from various teams were always willing to answer their questions and provide guidance, expanding their knowledge of the industry and making the experience enriching and enjoyable.

Beyond Portfolio Services: A Spectrum of Internship Opportunities

Cushman & Wakefield's commitment to early talent development extends beyond the Portfolio Services Center, offering a wide range of internship and full-time (co-op) programs across multiple areas, including:

Brokerage
Finance
Engineering
Accounting
Marketing
Client Accounting

These diverse opportunities cater to students with varied interests and skill sets, providing a comprehensive introduction to the commercial real estate industry.

Client Accounting Internships: A Deep Dive into Financial Operations

Client Accounting internships offer a unique opportunity to learn about full-cycle accounting practices for clients, gaining hands-on experience in maintaining departmental efficiency. These internships provide valuable insights into the financial operations that underpin the commercial real estate business.

Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide

The 7-Week Leadership Internship: A Fast Track to Success

For ambitious individuals seeking a fast track to leadership, Cushman & Wakefield offers an exclusive 7-week internship. This program provides a gateway to working alongside industry leaders and innovators, with exceptional interns having the opportunity to secure a full-time offer in the highly sought-after CLDP Rotation upon graduation. The CLDP Rotation focuses on operational assignments, analytical support, and project and CEO support, preparing individuals to drive impact and inspire success within the organization.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Cornerstones of the Cushman & Wakefield Culture

Cushman & Wakefield embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as fundamental values. The company fosters an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered, believing that diversity drives innovation. A dedicated DEI program, "Inspire," showcases individual diversity groups, and DEI events are organized throughout the year by employees. This commitment ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can thrive and contribute their unique talents.

Compensation and Benefits

Cushman & Wakefield provides eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The compensation offered to successful candidates depends on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

In addition to competitive pay, Cushman & Wakefield offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. The company does not tolerate discrimination of any type.

Read also: Internship Opportunities

Application Information

Cushman & Wakefield visits several campuses each year to recruit interns. The Summer internship programs are typically 8-10 weeks long. Due to the high volume of applications received, the company contacts candidates as soon as possible once a decision has been made. Applicants can log into their account at any point during the process to view the status of their application.

A Foundation for Future Leaders

Cushman & Wakefield's internship programs provide a solid foundation for future leaders in the commercial real estate industry. By combining hands-on experience, mentorship, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Cushman & Wakefield empowers interns to develop the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. The company's dedication to early talent development ensures a pipeline of skilled professionals who can drive innovation and shape the future of the industry.

Core Values: The Driving Force

Cushman & Wakefield's core values - ambitious, inclusive, intelligent, and kind - drive the business forward, create inspiration, and help deliver consistent services to the built environment every day. These values are integral to the internship experience, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

tags: #cushman #and #wakefield #internship #programs