The past three months at Wharton Gladden have provided an interactive look into real estate investment banking.  Through the program, I have gained a thorough understanding of the essential aspects of real estate investment banking.  When I look back on my experience with Wharton Gladden, I will remember three things: the gratifying challenge of real estate investment banking, the importance of relationships, and the reward of giving back.

Wharton Gladden’s Summer Associate Program challenged me in several ways; we grasped real estate-specific financial modeling, deal underwriting, discounted cash flow analysis and many other topics.  We even participated in case study competitions for multifamily and commercial properties.  My knowledge of the material covered in training was tested when I was tasked with valuating properties.

Completing a financial model for one particular multifamily property proved to be the most challenging and informative.  The property valuation forged the two components I faced this summer in real estate investment banking: relationships and numbers.  Having attended various client meetings and completed valuation training, the multifamily complex was my first opportunity to work with a client to value the property, form a recommendation, and ultimately contribute to helping the client.  It was rewarding to be given the responsibility of working directly with the client.

Another highlight of the program was the emphasis of effective relationships.  I had several occasions to building lasting relationships with peers, mentors, and the community.  Working with students from other schools was exciting, and I quickly found myself appreciative of the various backgrounds we all came from.  Training and other activities brought the interns together as a team and created a competitive yet supportive environment to work in.  To be surrounded by such intelligent positive peers was unique and motivating.

The mentorship component of the program also proved to be invaluable.  Meeting with seasoned professionals in the field and discussing career decisions, motivations, and obstacles clarified questions I had about a career in banking and provided me with insights I will carry with me for the rest of my career.

Finally, Mr. Cash, an experienced professional committed to Wharton Gladden’s mission and incredibly involved with the community, proved to be an effective leader and teacher to all of the interns.  I saw how real estate investment banking seeks to contribute to the community, and I found it gratifying to be able to see, firsthand, how Mr. Cash and members of the team at Wharton Gladden are able to work with and help the community through their work at the company.

I found that the program’s contribution to the Power of One Fund highlighted Wharton Gladden’s commitment to the community.  During our orientation, Mr. Cash emphasized the company’s mission to involve and help the community.  The interns volunteered at two events this summer: a ‘pig picking’ at the summer’s beginning in downtown Winston-Salem and a barbecue at the Bethesda Center for the Homeless in Winston-Salem.  The barbecue proved to be a gratifying experience – as a student at Wake Forest, I valued the opportunity to reach out of the Wake Forest ‘bubble’ that students often become caught up in.  To speak with and learn about the lives of members of our community reinforced the reasoning for Wharton Gladden’s corporate responsibility.  It complemented and reinforced the purpose of the work that the company does with the greater community.

I will take the knowledge I have gained at Wharton Gladden this summer with me for the rest of my career.  I give many thanks to my fellow interns, my mentors, the team at Wharton Gladden, and Mr. Cash for this invaluable experience.

Wake Forest University student, Katherine Green, authored this guest article about her experience in the Wharton Gladden Developing Excellence Summer Internship Program.