Building the Skills to Transform the Future of Real Estate

When Jennifer, a Building Engineer in our Property Management group, joined CBRE a little over a year ago on the recommendation of a friend, she knew little about the company or the commercial real estate industry. But she quickly came to find herself in an environment flush with resources to help her succeed in her new role.

In her first year, Jennifer has been immersed in hands-on learning experiences, obtaining various licenses and certifications necessary for her role, from HVAC systems to other essential areas in building management. “It’s been challenging in a really good way," she says.

Jennifer holds a broad range of responsibilities, from executing small tasks to managing large-scale projects. Her work focuses on maintaining and improving the core aspects of her building, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

For anyone aspiring to be a building engineer at CBRE, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of having a technical background, being detail-oriented, and possessing a troubleshooting mindset. "Everything else you can learn,” she says, highlighting the wealth of knowledge she has been exposed to since joining CBRE.

When joining the world’s largest commercial real estate services company, Jennifer was initially concerned about being able to find her place. However, she has been pleasantly surprised by the company’s inclusive and supportive culture, and emphasis on employee satisfaction and work-life balance that exceeds what she’s experienced before.

Access to her leaders also “makes a big difference,” she says. "They [leadership] want me to take on the challenges I’m comfortable with. They want me to gain knowledge and self-confidence in this role," she reflects.

This support has made her feel valued and helped her envision a long-term career with CBRE.

Jennifer has also discovered an inspiring network of peers at CBRE. She is a member of various CBRE employee business resource groups, which she says have granted her the opportunity to meet a wide range of people and gain new perspectives.

"Coming into this company, I’ve never been in a role before where I felt like I had longevity. I feel like I could stay with CBRE for my career, which is a very comforting thought," Jennifer shares.

Jennifer’s story is a testament to how CBRE provides the resources, tools and environment that empower our people to realize their potential and build fulfilling careers.