Is Real Estate Investment Trusts a Good Career Path in 2023?

Choosing a career path is one of the most crucial decisions in life.

And it’s not always easy!

Because too many factors come into play when picking a career path. For instance, what’s your passion, what are you good at, and what income level are you targeting?

So, with so many career choices to pick from, is real estate investment trusts a good career path for you? And again, the answer varies depending on the angle you look at it.

Let’s dive in and see if the real estate investment trusts sector makes a good career path…

Real Estate Investment Trusts: a good career path?

In short: Yes, real estate investment trusts is a good career path to pursue.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a promising career path for those interested in finance, investment, and property management. With diverse opportunities for growth and development, REITs provide a stable, long-term investment platform. Skilled individuals with analytical and risk-assessment abilities can excel in this sector, benefitting from the potential for high financial returns and professional advancement.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of February 2023, there are 1.855 million people employed in the real estate industry. (source)

However, as with any career path, you have to research the specific industry and job you’re interested in to ensure it’s a good fit for your skills and interests.

Why is real estate investment trusts a good career path?

The followings are the factors that make this an ideal career path:

1. Networking opportunities: Working within a REIT helps establish connections with industry peers, expanding one’s professional network and opening up opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and career advancement.
2. Specialized expertise: A REIT career path enables individuals to develop niche expertise in finance, asset management, or property analysis, making them invaluable in the real estate investment sector.
3. Macroeconomic resilience: REITs typically fare better than other investments during economic downturns, ensuring a more stable and secure career choice for professionals in these companies.
4. Growing industry: REITs continue to expand as an investment option, providing ample opportunities for eager individuals looking to work in a rapidly developing sector.
5. Diversification possibilities: REITs expose professionals to various property types, including residential, commercial, and industrial, ensuring cross-disciplinary expertise and increased marketability.

Now, we can’t just not talk about the cons of the job and move ahead. Let’s take a look…

Cons of real estate investment trusts jobs

While the career in real estate investment trusts can be rewarding, it also has its downsides.

1. Limited entrepreneurial opportunities: Working within a REIT often lacks the flexibility and prospects for entrepreneurship commonly found in traditional real estate investments, which may deter individuals looking for a career where they can create and develop their projects.
2. Volatility and risk exposure: Although REITs may exhibit resilience during economic downturns, professionals must navigate potential volatility, considering the real estate market’s sensitivity to changing interest rates and macroeconomic factors.
3. Limited flexibility: REITs often focus on specific investment strategies or property types, which may limit professionals’ ability to explore and switch to varied asset classes within the industry.

Top skills required for the job

Here are some top skills that are commonly required for real estate investment trusts jobs:

1. Financial analysis
2. Property management
3. Risk assessment
4. Market research
5. Networking abilities

You can also learn more about all the essential skills for real estate investment trusts.

Best paying jobs in real estate investment trusts sector

Like any other job out there, the satisfactory level might depend on the type of real estate investment trusts job you choose. Here are some of the best-paying jobs in real estate investment trusts you can consider:

Job Role	Average Salary
Vice President of Asset Management	$266,600 per year (*)
Real Estate Developer	$115,000 per year (*)
Home Sales Consultant	$71,643 per year (*)

Keep in mind that the salary range can vary widely depending on the location, the size of the company, the specific role and responsibilities. And also, these are high-paying jobs that usually require a significant amount of experience and expertise.

Average annual salary of real estate investment trusts jobs

The average annual salary for real estate investment trusts jobs varies greatly depending on the role and industry.

The average annual salary of Energy jobs varies widely depending on the specific role and level of experience. Some common jobs in the Energy sector include engineers, technicians, project managers, and operations managers, with median salaries ranging from $60,000 to $100,000 per year in the United States. Senior positions such as energy traders, energy analysts, and directors can earn salaries upwards of $150,000 or more per year. — (source)

Companies like Prologis Inc, Realty Income Corporation, Welltower Inc and many more have multiple positions with some awesome remuneration.

Explore other interesting career paths:

• Is Energy a Good Career Path?
• Is Public Utilities a Good Career Path?
• Is Capital Goods a Good Career Path?

Final verdict

Whether or not real estate investment trusts is a good career path depends on your individual skills, interests, and goals. But as a broad field that encompasses many different industries and job opportunities, the path offers diverse options for those with Financial analysis and Property management skills.

Additionally, it can provide job stability, career progression, and the potential for growth and advancement. However, always keep in mind that real estate investment trusts jobs can also have some cons like Limited entrepreneurial opportunities, Volatility and risk exposure, and Limited flexibility as compared to other fields like Energy, Public Utilities, and Capital Goods.

Ultimately, it is important to do your research and carefully consider your own strengths and interests before pushing a career in real estate investment trusts.

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