top of page
Sydney, Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia: Advize Career Interview
A Cal Poly graduate with a real estate finance concentration, this Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia offers a dynamic career journey.
Their path, marked by an internship at CBRE and a leasing agent role at Asset Living, ultimately led to a high-volume brokerage position where they support senior brokers in Northern California.
The role involves financial analysis, marketing, client communication, and underwriting large deals, demanding strong communication, time management, and adaptability.
This professional thrives in the fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, though acknowledges the challenges of managing client expectations in a volatile market and the demanding, always-on nature of the industry.
Success in this field, according to the Senior Financial Analyst, requires hard work, a long-term mindset, and careful communication, particularly for women in a male-dominated industry.
Advice to aspiring professionals includes pursuing entry-level roles at high-volume brokerages and actively engaging in college coursework and networking opportunities.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sydney Ladrech
Senior Financial Analyst
Berkadia
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obsipo
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Real Estate
Real Estate
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A Real Estate Broker At Berkadia
Sydney's career path began with a real estate finance concentration at Cal Poly, fueled by family influence and an internship at CBRE, a future competitor. After a leasing agent role at Asset Living and an unexpected rejection from Cushman & Wakefield's Prep Program, a fortuitous turn of events led to their current Senior Financial Analyst position at Berkadia, where they "got to dive right into the brokerage side."
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, describes their role as more of an "associate position," focusing on supporting senior brokers through "financial analysis, marketing, production, marketing materials, or client communication," essentially acting as a vital support system within a small, collaborative team. This involves managing workload distribution, allowing senior team members to focus on higher-level tasks.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia
A senior financial analyst at Berkadia spends their day heavily involved in "financial analysis," including underwriting "larger, more institutional deals," producing marketing materials like broker opinions of value (BOVs), and maintaining constant client communication and outreach. This involves detailed tracking, market research, and ensuring accuracy in all materials before release to clients.
Most Important Skills For a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, emphasizes the importance of strong communication skills—both written and verbal—alongside effective time management in juggling multiple deadlines and client needs. Adaptability is also key, as the work requires responsiveness to varied client expectations and priorities, with Sydney noting the need to "respond on the nose" for some while others require a more hands-off approach.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, thrives in the fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, describing their role as "your own book of business" with minimal red tape. The dynamic nature of covering all of Northern California, coupled with a competitive atmosphere ("a good driving motivational force"), fuels their enjoyment and career success.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, finds the biggest challenge in their role is managing client expectations, especially in the current interest rate environment where "we're way off" from initial valuations after a marketing period. This results in potentially two to three months of unpaid work, highlighting the importance of a strong pipeline and providing "very honest and realistic valuations" to mitigate this risk.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Commercial Real Estate Industry As A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, loves the social and passionate nature of the commercial real estate industry, describing it as a "small industry" filled with "fun people" who embody a "work hard, play hard mentality" and readily discuss their work outside of office hours. This enthusiasm, Sydney notes, is uncommon in other industries.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Real Estate Industry, According To A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, identifies "hardworking and driven" individuals with a "long-term mindset" as thriving in the real estate industry. The demanding nature of the field, with its "long hours" and steep learning curve, necessitates passion for the work to overcome challenges and achieve long-term career goals.
What A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Commercial Real Estate Industry
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, reveals a crucial, unanticipated aspect of the brokerage side of the industry: the persistent demand, even after several years of experience, meaning "deals are constantly on, on the clock," making it difficult to take time off, even during holidays, because "it determines your splits for the next year." This unrelenting pressure to remain engaged, even while on vacation, is a reality that should be better understood before entering this career path.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Financial Analysts
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, recommends entry-level financial analyst roles at high-volume brokerages as "the best place to start," emphasizing the accelerated learning from "a ton of properties" and diverse deal types. Alternatively, analyst positions on the principal (ownership) side offer more specialized experience, though typically with less volume and a narrower market focus, a contrast Sydney notes from their own high-volume, diverse experience.
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, learned early in her career the importance of carefully considering words, both spoken and written, "being careful about what you say," especially in a male-dominated industry. This lesson, reinforced by Berkadia's rigorous security training emphasizing the permanence of digital communication, highlights the significance of mindful communication in a professional setting.
College Experiences That Helped A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia Succeed
Sydney, a Senior Financial Analyst at Berkadia, emphasizes the importance of active class engagement and "not afraid to ask questions" during undergraduate studies to build a strong foundation for any career. Networking, such as participation in the Real Estate club, proved invaluable for establishing connections that ultimately benefited career prospects, highlighting the long-term value of proactive relationship building.
How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Financial Analyst At Berkadia's Career
Navigating a male-dominated industry, the Senior Financial Analyst found success by actively seeking out external support networks, including "networking events or certain clubs within real estate," to connect with other women. This proactive approach, combined with a resilient mindset focused on adaptability and hard work, allowed them to overcome the challenges of a limited pool of senior female role models in investment sales.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page