/business/ en /business/news/2025/03/13/annual-real-estate-forum-shapes-careers <span>The Annual CU Real Estate Forum: Helping Shape Careers in Commercial Real Estate</span> <span><span>Jane Majkiewicz</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-11T21:15:31-06:00" title="Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 21:15">Tue, 03/11/2025 - 21:15</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-03/250305-cu-real-estate-forum-1413_A%20%281%29.jpg?h=4fd2c89b&amp;itok=7C1zt5Zg" width="1200" height="800" alt="Jonah Duran"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/1983" hreflang="en">Klump</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="hero"><em>Attendance at the Annual CU Real Estate Forum helps students unlock networking opportunities and gain important industry knowledge and connections.</em></p><hr> <div class="align-left image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-03/250305-cu-real-estate-forum-1413_A%20%281%29.jpg?itok=c6cOfATJ" width="750" height="499" alt="Jonah Duran"> </div> </div> <p>For senior real estate major Jonah Duran (left), attending the 28th Annual CU Real Estate Forum this March “provided ample networking opportunities between classmates and industry professionals.” That momentum is invaluable as he prepares to launch his career as a broker for Unique Properties in Denver, focusing on industrial, retail, and office investment sales and leasing.</p><p>“I’m excited about a career in commercial real estate brokerage because it combines relationship building, market expertise and deal-making in a dynamic, results-driven environment,” he said. “The ability to directly impact businesses and investors while navigating complex transactions is both challenging and rewarding.”</p><h3>The forum as a catalyst for career growth</h3><p>“We emphasize that students should engage early and often in experiential education opportunities,” said Erin Penberthy, a Leeds career coach for real estate. Career treks, internships, student organizations, and events like the Real Estate Forum provide valuable networking and learning opportunities, she said.</p><p>“Networking is key to the job and internship process, and students who invest in it and research companies before applying tend to have positive career outcomes,” she said. “The Real Estate Forum gives students a fantastic opportunity to not only hear about current industry trends but also meet future employers.”</p><h3>A premier industry event</h3><p>“This year’s forum took the event to another level,” said Julie Gibson, Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the real estate center. The event attracted “top national and local speakers, educating students, alumni and employers around top issues in the real estate industry.”</p><p>Among the 300 attendees, 72 were students eager to network and learn from industry leaders, including Willy Walker, CEO and chair of Walker &amp; Dunlop, and Michael Klump, whose 2024 gift established the newly named Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate.</p><h3>Key takeaways from industry leaders</h3><p>Duran echoed forum presenters’ insights about Denver’s growing market, seeing his role as having a prime opportunity to add value. Understanding emerging trends, such as water issues and AI in real estate, was another major draw.</p><p>He particularly valued Walker's keynote. As an executive who grew Walker &amp; Dunlop from 46 employees in 2003 to a public company with more than 1,400 employees and recognized as a best place to work over consecutive years, Walker shared key career lessons.</p><p>“His inspiring success story and well-spoken nature made listening to his conversation a treat,” said Duran. “Having a good mentor, working hard and trying different things were the main themes he spoke about, all of which I plan on implementing in my career.”</p> <div class="align-left image_style-small_square_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_square_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/small_square_image_style/public/2025-03/Kourtney-Stetler.jpg?h=6d3c0469&amp;itok=_ArmKMwk" width="375" height="375" alt="Kourtney Stetler"> </div> </div> <p>Leeds senior and real estate major Kourtney Stetler (left) agreed. “The Willy Walker presentation was incredibly insightful, especially as a soon-to-be graduate. He shared how, after finishing school, he had the choice between accepting a full-time job or traveling to Paraguay to work with a family friend. Taking a leap of faith, he chose to travel, learn a new language, and gain a broader perspective—an experience that shaped his future career.”</p><p>Walker also highlighted the highs and lows of commercial real estate. “There are real estate developers in here that have taken massive risks,” he said, encouraging the audience to accept that as part of the process. He discussed his own experience with layoffs and falling stock prices, citing them as competitive pressures that inspire him to drive new goals.&nbsp;</p><p>His advice to students: “Create a career that doesn’t feel like work.”</p><h3>The importance of mentors and internships</h3><p>Michael Klump, who spoke about his career and generous gift to the center, also emphasized taking risks—one being time and knowing how to protect it. His early passion for real estate led to his success in acquiring and developing shopping centers. He emphasized the value of internships and mentorships.</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><h3>Professional Mentors at Leeds</h3><p>In 2024, the <a href="/business/undergraduate-programs/enhance-your-experience/mentoring-programs/join-professional-mentorship" rel="nofollow">Leeds Professional Mentorship Program</a> for juniors and seniors experienced record growth, with 773 students taking advantage of the program—a 32 percent jump—and a total of 867 mentors. Learn more about the program and the <a href="/business/business-at-leeds/2024/mentoring-gen-z" rel="nofollow">impact of mentors</a>.</p></div></div></div><p>Internships played a significant role for Duran. “I interned at Northmarq on the Portfolio and Asset Management te