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Sean, Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate: Advize Career Interview
From marketing student to Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, a career path began with a spark ignited by real estate's tangible impact.
This VP emphasizes the importance of tenant satisfaction, finding viable deals, and pitching to investors, all while managing a highly varied day with inbox management, operational duties, and strategic acquisitions.
For success, confidence and organizational ability are key. While initially drawn to interacting with industry leaders, the most satisfying aspect is now seeing developments come to life.
The biggest challenge is the constant need for organization and availability, demanding a 24/7 commitment.
This VP thrives on working with driven individuals and believes success requires a confident, energetic, and detail-oriented approach. A significant lesson learned is the value of asking questions and seeking guidance.
Entry-level professionals should consider property management or brokerage to build a well-rounded foundation.
Above all, proactive action is crucial in this fast-paced industry, and cultivating social skills to build strong relationships is just as important as having the right hard skills.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sean Willett
Vice President
Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
San Diego State University
Business Management & Admin, Marketing
Real Estate
Business Strategy
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
Sean's career path began at San Diego State University with an initial interest in marketing, which shifted after a real estate society meeting and an internship at Matthews Real Estate Investment Services; exposure to brokers and developers, coupled with the tangible nature of real estate projects, sparked a desire to "build something" and led to a full-time brokerage role involving intense cold calling and direct interaction with high-net-worth individuals. A desire to learn development led to a property management and investment firm role, focused on operational efficiency and on-site improvements, which in turn facilitated the connection with the founder of Catalyst Commercial Real Estate and ultimately led to the current role as Vice President.
Main Responsibilities of a Vice President at Catalyst
As Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, a large portion of responsibilities involve operating the existing portfolio by leading construction developments and ensuring properties are well-maintained, with an emphasis on tenant satisfaction because creating "a good experience for your residents" creates a competitive advantage. Responsibilities also include spending time underwriting new acquisitions, which involves a lot of work to find viable deals, and then pitching those promising deals to investors to raise capital.
A Day In The Life Of A Vice President At Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
A VP in commercial real estate experiences a highly varied day, starting with a focus on inbox management, aiming to "get email box to zero" to maintain organization and avoid falling behind. Operational duties, such as coordinating vendors for projects, reviewing financials for efficiency improvements, and ensuring market rent competitiveness, come first, followed by more strategic activities like cold outreach and acquisitions, which offer greater earning potential but require efficient operation first.
Most Important Skills For A Vice President At Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
For a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, the two most crucial skills are confidence and organizational ability; "you've gotta be confident" to handle the constant phone communication inherent in operations, and also must be extremely well-organized, as an unorganized approach can lead to significant financial losses.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Vice President At Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
Sean, a VP at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, initially enjoyed the role most due to the opportunity to converse with "extremely intelligent" and successful individuals in the field, experiencing the wealth inherent in commercial real estate; however, over time, the most satisfying aspect has become "seeing the fruits of development" and watching projects materialize into physical structures after months of work.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Vice President At Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
As a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, Sean's biggest challenge is "being constantly organized" and essentially always available, unlike in previous roles where there was a clear work-life separation; the current stage of company building necessitates a 24/7 commitment, where one must "answer any call" and "respond to any email," even while traveling.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Commercial Real Estate As A Vice President
As a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, Sean finds the most enjoyable aspect of the industry to be the constant interaction with "extremely driven people" who are fully dedicated to their work. This environment of like-minded individuals, who prioritize dedication over a 9-to-5 mentality, fosters inspiration and a sense of promise about the future.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Commercial Real Estate, According To A Vice President At Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
Sean believes that individuals who thrive in commercial real estate are "simple, confident, [and] energetic," but also detail-oriented, needing "concentrated, focused effort" and proper guidance to succeed. Although the industry is "simple but not easy," understanding the goal and putting in full effort are crucial for navigating its challenges.
What a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Commercial Real Estate
Sean wishes someone had told them early in their commercial real estate career that it's okay to ask questions and seek guidance, as "people love to explain and help others in this industry," and not everyone has all the answers. Leaning on others and asking questions of qualified professionals instead of trying to "sound like [one knows] everything" has significantly contributed to Sean's success.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Vice Presidents
Sean, a VP at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, suggests a controversial but insightful approach: aspiring investment professionals should start in property management or brokerage, rather than directly in investment. This allows one to understand property operations, learn from experienced brokers, and gain diverse perspectives on deals, ultimately creating a "hodgepodge of all of their experiences" that can be brought into an investment role.
Significant Career Lesson From a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate
Sean, a VP at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, emphasizes the importance of proactive action, stating that "doing no action is what will kill you" in the fast-paced commercial real estate industry, and that even if unsure of the right direction, it's better to "just always put one foot forward" rather than succumb to hesitation and inaction.
College Experiences Helping a Vice President at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate Succeed
In college, although obtaining a real estate license and ARGUS certification provided a resume boost, Catalyst Commercial Real Estate's VP of Sean said that the most beneficial preparation involved cultivating social skills and building relationships with diverse individuals, emphasizing that "people wanna do business with people they like" and that being a social human being is more important than being the strongest underwriter. He also noted that regardless of hard skills, professionals need to develop social skills as "being able to build strong relationships and relate to people from all different walks of life is the most important."
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