Brittney Delgado’s dreams for a commercial real estate career now seem within reach. Thanks to a scholarship from an Orange County real estate professional group, Commercial Real Estate Women – Orange County (CREW), the Cal State Fullerton finance senior has received $5,000 toward tuition and books and professional networking opportunities.
“This scholarship will support me financially in attaining my MBA degree, which is most valuable to me since I can’t afford tuition on my own. This will aid me in paying for grad school,” says Delgado. “CREW is also helping me connect with successful real estate professionals. I now have more access to meet fellow women in the field, learn from them as mentors, take their advice, and support my career development.”
Once she earns her undergraduate degree at CSUF in May 2022, Delgado will apply to graduate programs at both University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and at her alma mater, but only after getting some applied experience in the real estate world.
“I want to further expand my knowledge and network in the real estate field. I have gotten my feet wet in commercial mortgage loans and private equity work,” she explains. “In grad school, I’ll learn about niche parts of real estate, such as development, and looking into potential opportunities of real estate law. Ever since I interned with the California State Teachers’ Pension Plan this past summer as a real estate investments intern, I have been fascinated by how buildings are structured, the process of financing new constructions, and what it takes to work with an architect to bring an idea to life.”
From Business Honors to the Real Estate Association: The Impact of College Involvement
Since arriving at CSUF in 2018, Delgado has been active on campus as a student assistant and as a member of both the CSUF Finance Association and Latino Business Students Association. But her most impactful Titan experiences were serving as president of Business Honors during the pandemic year of 2020-2021 and leading events for the Real Estate Association since August 2020.
“Business Honors shaped my college career and helped me gain professional development skills, including public speaking and working with deadlines. As the president of engagement, I oversaw two directors and discovered how important accountability is,” says Delgado.
“Business Honors also gave me a mentor, real estate agent Kevin Bui, who is my biggest supporter and guides my career-exploration process. He frequently checks in on me, and we discuss potential jobs or career paths I can take. Business Honors Director Lorenzo Bizzi is a big influence and supports what I want to achieve.”
The Real Estate Association also provides Delgado insights on the various career options in the field.
“I met the past Orange County chapter president of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute and past vice presidents of the Building Owners and Managers Association, received a scholarship, and met various brokers and occupational real estate executives. I am grateful for the program because I have learned about many real estate occupations and how to invest my own money in real estate, as well as having a mentor through the program,” she says.
Planning a Career in Real Estate
Looking ahead, Delgado’s goal is to become an analyst for an asset management or brokerage company. Multifamily real estate, such as apartments, is Delgado’s asset of choice, inspired by her apartment living during her college days.
“My goal in the future is to be able to manage, invest and own my own apartment buildings. I want to have the most comfortable, unique and affordable spaces anyone could ever live in,” she says.
