Writing Question

The essays are as good as possible, but they are 100% AI and don’t pass the AI checkers, so I will get a bad grade. Please revise, keeping the writing just as good if not better, but making sure it passes with at least 60% human writing in the website GPTZero for AI checking.

Question 1: In 500 words or less, please share how your participation inthe ICSC Foundation Mentorship Program has impacted you professionally and/orpersonally. :

Participating in the ICSC Foundation Mentorship Program has been one of the most valuable professional experiences I have had while preparing to enter the commercial real estate industry. As a student studying Real Estate and Urban Economics at the University of Connecticut, I have learned a strong foundation of industry concepts in the classroom. However, working with my mentor, Reginald Livingston, helped bridge the gap between academic knowledge and how the industry actually operates in the real world.

One of the most impactful aspects of the mentorship was gaining a clearer understanding of different career paths within commercial real estate. Through our conversations, I learned more about roles such as brokerage, investment analysis, and other positions within the industry. Hearing how these roles function from someone with years of experience helped me better understand what skills are most valuable and how different jobs contribute to the broader deal-making process.

Another major takeaway from the mentorship was learning how important relationships are in commercial real estate. My mentor shared practical advice about networking and maintaining professional connections. One suggestion that stuck with me was keeping an organized spreadsheet of contacts and noting the last time I spoke with them so I can stay in touch. This may seem simple, but it reinforced how relationship-driven the industry truly is and gave me a system to build and maintain my network over time.

I have always considered myself a self-starter with many ideas about my career path, but having an experienced professional to talk through those ideas with was extremely valuable. For example, I initially believed brokerage was not the right starting point for me, but my mentor explained that brokerage can actually be a great place to begin. He emphasized that it helps develop important skills such as underwriting deals and building relationships while also giving exposure to a wide range of transactions. That perspective helped me think about the early stages of my career in a more open and strategic way.

Beyond career advice, the mentorship also gave me insight into how industry professionals approach opportunities like ICSC events. My mentor has shared what he looks for when hiring and how professionals use conferences to strengthen relationships and meet new people. These conversations have helped me better understand how to approach networking with curiosity, respect, and appreciation.

Looking ahead, I hope to attend ICSC Las Vegas, and my mentor has already offered to spend time with me there. Having someone I know and respect within the industry makes the opportunity even more meaningful. This mentorship has not only helped me better understand the commercial real estate industry, but it has also given me confidence as I prepare to begin my career.

Question 2: In 500 words or less, please explain why you are interestedin attending ICSC LAS VEGAS and what you hope to gain from theexperience. :

My interest in attending ICSC Las Vegas comes largely from my experience last summer interning at Soundwater Properties, a commercial real estate investment firm focused primarily on grocery-anchored shopping centers. Because the company is a smaller and growing firm, I had the opportunity to work closely with the co-owner throughout the summer and see many different parts of the business.

During the internship, I was exposed to much more than just acquisitions. I saw how deals are sourced, analyzed, and negotiated, but I also learned about the operational side of shopping centers, including tenant relationships, management decisions, and long-term exit strategies. Seeing how these properties operate over time helped me understand the complexity of the asset class. I also saw firsthand how things can go wrong with a deal and how experienced professionals adapt and still find ways to make the investment successfulor sometimes recognize when it is better to walk away.

Before that internship, shopping centers were not an asset class I had seriously considered pursuing. I had always found multifamily real estate more interesting. However, after spending the summer learning about the intricacies of retail properties, tenant mixes, and grocery-anchored centers in particular, I began to develop a strong interest in this sector of commercial real estate.

Attending ICSC Las Vegas would be an incredible opportunity to continue exploring that interest and help me determine whether retail real estate is the path I want to pursue long term. While my coursework has provided an excellent academic foundation, hearing directly from industry professionals with real-world experience adds a level of insight that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

The educational sessions at the conference are extremely valuable, but I believe one of the most important aspects of the event is the ability to interact with the professionals attending it. Conversations with investors, brokers, developers, and other industry leaders can provide perspectives on current trends, career paths, and opportunities within the retail real estate sector.

I am also excited about the opportunity to meet other students and young professionals who are preparing to enter the industry. Building relationships early in our careers can lead to long-term professional connections that benefit everyone involved.

Ultimately, attending ICSC Las Vegas would allow me to continue learning from experienced professionals, expand my network within the industry, and further evaluate the career path I want to pursue within commercial real estate.


WRITE MY PAPER

Comments

Leave a Reply