Student Perspectives: Asking the Right Questions and Intentional Networking Can Lead to Career Insights and Opportunities

MS Real Estate '25 student, Anna Koulaki, shared with the GCMC her experience as a Real Estate Analyst Intern at Allied Partners.


What has been one of the most important things you’ve learned at your internship?

One of the most important things I learned was not to be afraid to ask questions. I realized that asking the right questions not only helped me better understand the work but also showed initiative and genuine interest in what I was doing. It opened the door to deeper conversations, gave me more context behind certain tasks, and allowed me to see the bigger picture. Over time, it helped me build stronger relationships with my team, gain more confidence, and learn much faster than if I had tried to figure everything out on my own.


How have you approached networking at your internship? Share any one specific example that has been impactful for you.


I’ve been intentional about networking by volunteering to help different departments, which has allowed me to meet more people and learn about their roles. We also have fun office events like birthday celebrations and games, which are great for connecting in a more casual way. Sometimes, I’ll bring up interesting real estate articles to spark conversations and hear others’ thoughts on how trends might impact the company.


What has been your biggest contribution to your team at your internship? Why?


One of my biggest contributions was working on the financial proposal evaluation for a new development project. I helped analyze proposals from different companies, comparing costs, projected returns, and timelines. I also assisted in assessing potential profit margins and risks for each option. My work was essential in supporting the team’s decision on which company to choose, helping ensure we selected the most profitable and low-risk option.


After this experience, what would you like to learn next?


After this experience, I’d love to see how the decisions we’re making now actually get implemented on the ground. It’s one thing to run numbers or contribute to a strategy, but I’m really interested in understanding how those plans translate into real action, whether that’s through construction, leasing, or asset repositioning. I think seeing the full lifecycle of a project would help me connect the dots and grow both strategically and practically.


For students having a difficult time finding an internship, what is one piece of advice you would give them?


For students having a hard time finding an internship, my biggest piece of advice is to focus on networking. Go to industry events, career fairs, or school-hosted panels—and definitely use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field. A simple message asking to chat or learn more about their work can go a long way. Also, don’t get discouraged if you’re applying to several companies and either get rejected or don’t hear back at all. That’s completely normal. Just keep going, keep refining your approach, and keep showing up. Sometimes all it takes is one person to open the right door.

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