The International Center for Finance, in partnership with the Yale Alumni Real Estate Association, hosted the Yale Real Estate Conference 2025 on October 24th in Evans Hall. It was full of insights on the future of housing, credit markets, and operational real estate. I was at the conference and wanted to share my top career takeaways.
Beyond the market and credit discussions, a session on Real Estate Education sparked some key thoughts on the talent pipeline. Michael O’Malley, Executive Director, Notre Dame Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, emphasized that the next generation of real estate professionals is being prepared to meet a new standard:
- Future Leaders, Not Just Analysts: A focus on developing ethical future CEOs and CIOs through classical education integrated with career preparation.
- Real-World Adaptability: Expanding critical thinking through real-world analysis and deep industry interaction.
- AI as a Productivity Enhancer: Actively utilizing AI tools (e.g., for lease abstract analysis, property renderings, and financial visualization) as an enhancement, not a replacement, for critical thinking.
For students looking to break into the market, my key takeaway from the sessions is this: The future of real estate is not just about buildings, but about the intersection of technology (PropTech and AI) and climate change/sustainability in community development. Go beyond the headlines, focus on where the capital is flowing, and you will find your place in this dynamic and essential field.
