Several UCLA students and alumni have shared their motivations for pursuing careers in real estate, highlighting a range of personal and professional goals. Their stories come as the result of a recent agreement between the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) and the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate, which provides a more direct route for students to meet state education requirements for real estate licensure.
“I am thankful for the partnership between the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate and DRE, which helps remove barriers to licensure by providing UCLA students a clear path to become a salesperson or broker in California,” said DRE Commissioner Chika Sunquist. “We are happy to promote overall student success as they embark on their new career and encourage new generations into the real estate profession.”
UCLA students report that obtaining a real estate license has allowed them to gain practical experience, access data through multiple listing services, and build networks with industry professionals such as lenders and insurance providers. Many describe an initial sense of uncertainty about entering the field but say that licensure helped them find direction.
Jolie N., an MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson School of Management from Los Angeles, said her background in social services motivated her interest in understanding housing finance and development. “Once I received my real estate license, I was most excited to get hands-on with the properties,” she explained. Her work with residential buyers evolved into a focus on multifamily properties and ultimately led her to specialize in affordable housing development.
Sumer P., an undergraduate from Modesto majoring in Business Economics, was influenced by family members working in real estate as well as witnessing local challenges related to housing stability. After interning at a local firm and joining campus organizations focused on real estate training, Sumer plans to earn a license with hopes of contributing positively to communities similar to his own.
Andrew H., another MBA student at Anderson from Washington, DC, expressed appreciation for the DRE-Ziman Center partnership: “I’m grateful for the recent partnership between the DRE and the Ziman Center, which allows several of our core courses to count toward California salesperson and broker licensing requirements.” He aims to apply classroom knowledge directly through client advising and transaction management.
Mark Y., who holds both salesperson and broker licenses after four years in the field, views real estate as impactful work shaping where people live and interact. He intends to pursue opportunities in commercial real estate private equity.
Alumnus Gyasi E., who works on multifamily financing, values expertise gained through underwriting deals and building relationships with developers. Nick P., an undergraduate from Los Angeles, sees ongoing opportunity in his hometown’s dynamic market.
The collaboration between DRE and educational institutions like UCLA is designed to make it easier for students interested in real estate careers to fulfill licensing requirements within their academic programs. This initiative seeks not only to support individual career growth but also address broader workforce needs within California’s evolving property markets.
