Careers

An important measure of a professional degree program’s success is the ability of its graduates to secure meaningful employment following graduation.

MRE graduates are prepared to assume a wide variety of positions in private for-profit, private not-for-profit, and public entities engaged in real estate endeavors around the world. Typical employers include developers, asset managers, private equity firms, project and construction managers, community development corporations, family offices, affordable housing developers and managers, governments and quasi-public agencies, real estate advisory and consulting firms, and anchor institutions such as universities and medical institutions. Some MRE graduates choose to set off on their own entrepreneurial path. Others return to the organizations where they worked prior to matriculation but with opportunities for promotion and new directions.

Now that the first class of MRE students from 2024 has graduated, the program can describe initial career outcomes. Thirty-two of the 35 have reported employment outcomes satisfactory to them. The remaining three are in active discussions with potential employers. The range of employment categories is broad and includes the following: Acquisitions 5%; Asset Management 10%; Development 34%; Planning and Design 6%; Private Equity/Investment Banking 29%; Real Estate Advisory 10%; Technology 6%. The program will regularly report on career outcomes going forward.

The MRE program makes significant efforts to assist students in achieving career satisfaction. Early in the academic year, the program advises students on resume preparation, interview techniques, and similar efforts. As the year progresses and students become more certain about what future they want in real estate, the program offers personalized advice. Students submit detailed information to MRE leadership and faculty with regard to their post-graduate career ideas, including names of potential employers, job categories, work locations, and desired salaries. MRE leadership and faculty subsequently engage individually with each student to help make a plan that includes connections with potential industry employers.

International students should be aware that they may be able to work in the United States for up to three years after graduating. The MRE degree has been designated a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Accordingly, international students holding F-1 visas may be eligible for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension on top of their initial OPT period of 12 months, for a total of 36 months, following graduation. For further information, go to the Harvard International Office’s information page. Each F-1 student must petition United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain approval for the 24-month STEM extension. Harvard does not represent or warrant that USCIS will grant any individual petition.

In addition to the MRE program-specific career assistance, MRE students may take advantage of the GSD-wide Office of Career Services that offers career counseling, a mentorship platform called Connect GSD, and the CREATE platform specifying post-graduation employment opportunities, programs, and events.

The University’s alumni network is vast and worldwide. The principal alumni organization is the Harvard Alumni Real Estate Board (HAREB), a member of the Harvard Real Estate Alumni Organization. Created in 2016 by members of Harvard’s real estate alumni community, HAREB has fall and spring on-campus meetings and assists MRE students through mentoring, professional training opportunities, and career treks.