With commencement quickly approaching, USC real estate students are in the throes of their job search. In February, the Lusk Center hosted its Annual Real Estate Industry Night. Some 80 firms were attendance represented by 200 industry professionals. Over 180 USC real estate students, from both undergraduate and masters degree programs took part. This is the largest event of this type in the US.
The Lusk Center tracks salaries for recent graduates through the publication of its Real Estate Employment Report. Data on 2005 graduates is now available. Undergraduate student placements were predominantly in real estate finance, consulting, and brokerage. Their salaries averaged $62,500 (salary plus bonus). Opportunities in development and finance drew graduates from USC masters degrees – MBA real estate concentration and Master of Real Estate Development – where students commanded an average salary plus bonus of $109,000.
Key industry players have gotten a head start in hiring members of the 2006 class. Homebuilding continues to be the strongest sector. Toll Brothers, Shea Homes, The Olson Company, and Lewis Group of Companies have actively been recruiting USC students. The commercial sector is also represented with The CIM Group, The Macerich Company and Regency Centers. Both debt and equity placement hold a strong interest for students interested in real estate finance careers. Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, George Smith Partners, Wells Fargo Bank, Secured Eastdil Realty have large rosters of USC graduates at their firms.
The Lusk Center's centralized position on campus allows employers to access students from key real estate degree programs including the Master of Business Administration real estate concentration, the Master of Real Estate Development, and the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration real estate concentration. Firms are invited to recruit USC real estate students through numerous options described on the Employers pages of the Lusk Center website.