Careers

Graduates of the Nancy and Douglas Abbey MRED+D program may not don hard hats too often, but nothing is more thrilling than walking through a construction project whose completion will meet users’ needs while providing a legacy of financial performance and design excellence that makes the community a better place. The diverse career options for graduates allow them to contribute to our society, economy, and planet – whether by starting new, innovative companies, financing net-positive real estate projects, designing climate resilient developments, or helping cities craft more inclusive and affordable neighborhoods. Program graduates enjoy a dual edge, offering employers and clients, expertise in real estate finance and development along with a knowledge base in design and the built environment. 

An Abbey MRED+D degree opens the door to a host of exciting career opportunities. Our goal is to prepare graduates with professional education and training but also expand their vision for the future. That vision can include becoming an entrepreneur and starting a new firm, joining a start-up or established company, working in government, or serving a nonprofit organization that addresses urban challenges or seeks, improve quality of urban life, or protect the planet.

The Abbey MRED+D program readies its graduates for major careers in real estate development and related fields. The CED Office of Career Services and Abbey MRED+D's Career Specialist provide a wide range of resources tailored to Abbey MRED+D students. These include up-to-the-minute listings of internships, competitions, and employment opportunities, career counseling, career development workshops and industry panels, student-mentor mixers, career fairs, and recruiting events. In addition, the Berkeley Real Estate Club provides a chance to meet a wide range of other graduate students interested in real estate, and offers a variety of professional development opportunities including the Accelerated Careers in Real Estate (ACRE) program. Post-graduation, Abbey MRED+Ds will join the Berkeley Real Estate Alumni Association, an extensive network of Berkeley alumni in the Bay Area, across the country, and around the world who have graduated from CED, the Haas School of Business, Berkeley Law, and other related programs.

Abbey MRED+D students also benefit from the program’s respected Affiliated Professionals, experienced industry experts who play a vital role in course instruction. These industry leaders utilize the case method to teach students about real work development examples, enable students to understand the complexities of development practice, and provide connections to the broader professional community. Affiliates also participate in the Abbey MRED+D program as guest lecturers, studio critics, and competition mentors. These professional help build a wide network for students and help them launch their careers.