SKILLS AND VALUES
Communication
Demonstrate the ability to acquire and interpret knowledge, and then use appropriate technologies to present conclusions orally and in writing
Nearly nothing in real estate can get done if the person in charge can’t clearly demonstrate the ability to communicate what needs to be completed. This has always been an area that I feel the need for improvement in. I’m fortunate to have gone through the undergraduate program that I went through because Landscape Architecture was more of a project major than test major. I would have a few projects (group or individual) due every semester for the five-year program. This forced me to get better with collecting my thoughts and delivering them in front of my class, professors, or professionals confidently. This has been able to translate well into the MLPD program where communication through writing and speaking is key to get a point across. I still have ‘stage fright’ lingering in the back of my mind at all times, but I’ve already improved so much since entering college. This has helped me land internships I’ve had over the last few years and will definitely aid me once I’m in the professional world full time.
One of my bigger challenges since getting in the MLPD program was leading the first project in my FINC 676 (Commercial Real Estate Law) course. I knew very little about law before this course and had only heard about intimidating stories about the professor leading up to the presentation day. This project below was the writing intensive project for the semester about selecting an entity structure for a deal between a local developer and foreign investors. I got my group together a few times and assigned everyone their responsibility. Once the sections were filled, I went through and filled in the blanks and fixed any and all mistakes. I was the main presenter of my group and had to wait outside in the hall with the rest of the presenters until it was my group’s turn. The anticipation and nerves were building as we were the last group in the class to go and I had not seen a single group present. I made sure to deliver my opening and closing statements by memory to the best of my ability with a calm mind. My group did a great job at answering questions and we were all there to back each other up. There are always going to be those instances where I wish I had done some parts differently, but overall I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be and we got a solid grade in return.