Can you tell us about yourself and your background, including your academic pursuits and any relevant extracurricular activities or experiences that relate to real estate?
I’m Michael Brobst. I’m a Sophomore Finance student with Real Estate and Economics minors. I am a Friends of Finance Scholar, Student Finance Association member, and Real Estate Club Vice President.
Where did you intern? Tell us a bit about the company you interned for.
I interned for Goldenrod Companies which works with commercial real estate development and investment management. In Tulsa, Goldenrod owns and operates One Warren and Two Warren Place which are two classy and large office spaces across from Saint Francis Hospital.
Discuss some main projects and tasks that you worked on.
Much of my work involved shadowing and Excel tasks, although I was able to learn a lot from it. I learned the ins and outs of the entire security system, the engineering that goes into keeping the power on and water flowing, and the amount of thought that goes into renovating a vacant floor. All of these I learned from shadowing Goldenrod’s daily work.
Who was someone you considered to be your mentor at the internship?
My mentor at Goldenrod was Jasmine Acord. Jasmine is the assistant property manager for both One Warren and Two Warren. Jasmine liked to balance work and play. Her coworkers were her family and customers were old friends. The biggest thing I learned from Jasmine is that work can be as fun as you make it.
What specific skills or knowledge did you gain or develop during your internship? Throughout my internship at Goldenrod, I was able to see what it takes to run two of the largest office buildings in Tulsa. Everything, from a dead lightbulb to redesigning the entire lobby of Two Warren, went to their desks. I also got the chance to experience the work environment in commercial real estate and property management. It was a very relaxed and stress-free atmosphere. They worked hard to ensure the offices were running smoothly, but they enjoyed their jobs and always made it home on time to their families.
What are some tips and advice you have for students who are looking for internships or are currently in one?
When looking for an internship, make sure to network. Start by becoming involved in a club related to your desired career field. I started attending the Real Estate Club meets which allowed me to network with the speakers, students, and professors. Because of my involvement, many opportunities have come my way, including this internship.