Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Cruz.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a first-generation college student and a Latina of Mexican nationality. Growing up, I was heavily involved in STEM programs and attended a STEM magnet high school. I loved problem-solving and competed in research competitions with an engineering project. I won several awards and was recognized on an international scale for the work I did in sustainability. I made a pivot towards the end of my senior year when I realized I wanted to branch out of STEM and into business.
As a first-generation college student, I did not have much direction about what type of career I should pursue or how to navigate the business world. There was one thing I knew for certain, I wanted to be successful and make a positive impact on the world. When I first arrived at Georgia State, I immersed myself in as many programs as possible to learn about how I can make my mark at Robinson.
I started off in marketing & interned at a start-up that expanded educational STEM resources to underrepresented areas. Given my multicultural and multilingual background, I wanted an international experience and in my sophomore year, I interned at a Fortune 500 FinTech company, NCR. I had the opportunity to work with professionals across the globe. In my junior year, I interned with Porsche Cars North America on various teams such as Electric Vehicles, Strategy, FinTech (NFTs and Blockchain), and E-commerce.
This past summer, I interned in NYC at Wells Fargo within the Corporate and Investment Bank as an analyst in their Community Lending and Investment Group. We provided debt and equity capital to affordable housing projects across the nation. Out of these internships, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and skills that revolve around the three qualities I consistently contribute: positivity, innovation, and excellence.
As a student leader, I am committed to helping the next generation of students build their brand and successfully navigate the college-to-career journey. It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s about taking ownership of your future & taking a step toward your dreams. I currently serve as the President of The Commercial Real Estate Group, a student-run organization offering tools to students looking to break into the commercial real estate industry. I have also served as Captain of the Panthers on Wall Street in 2022. PWS is a very selective and one of the most prestigious programs at the Robinson College of Business.
I have always been passionate about helping others ever since I was young. Commercial Real Estate is a very influential industry because it directly impacts the way that people work, live, and play. I grew up in a low-income area and if it wasn’t for the STEM programs/magnet school, I wouldn’t be where I am. My long-term goal is to bring high-quality education, resources, & real estate to underserved/underinvested areas.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is not uncommon for me to walk into a room and be the only woman, Latina, or first-generation college student. However, this fuels me and makes me passionate to open up more doors for the incoming generations. I felt a lot of imposter syndrome in the beginning. I overcame this by building self-confidence and surrounding myself with supportive mentors, sponsors, and friends. I also mentor many students now so they can build their brand and have the confidence to walk into any room and ensure their voice is heard.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Commercial Real Estate Group at Georgia State?
The Commercial Real Estate Group at Georgia State (CREG) is a student-run organization focused on helping members learn about the Commercial Real Estate industry while building valuable skillsets through immersive industry engagement, property tours, personal development, internship, and full-time opportunities and so much more; we ensure that our members will be well-equipped to be competitive and succeed in their careers in the commercial real estate industry!
Many of our members have received and accepted offers to work with some of the top companies in the industry. This is a testament to the impact that our club has had and will continue to have on all of our 350+ members.
As a first-gen college student & the first in my family to pursue a career in this industry, I have found through my own personal journey that there is a gap in resources, knowledge, & social capital for those interested in pursuing a career in CRE that come from a similar background. I believe CREG is bridging this gap by bringing all of these drivers of success to Georgia State students and creating a community for ambitious people determined to reach their goals. Being housed in the heart of Atlanta allows us to be in the center of so many wonderful opportunities that the city has to offer.
I am the 4th President and the 1st Female President. The amount of growth we have experienced this past semester has been tremendous across the board. We had record-breaking attendance numbers (including increasing the number of women), almost every Friday we either had an office or property tour, we created WCREG, an initiative that promotes women’s advancement in CRE, and we launched “Building The Empire” a podcast that aims to interview some of the most successful real estate professionals in the Atlanta area. I am excited to see how this organization will continue to grow and evolve over time.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
LinkedIn is your best friend and you have to take ownership of your future. My biggest advice is to build your brand on social media, be personable, find common ground with others, and be proactive. Make sure that every aspect of your social media platforms is up to date.
I am also very intentional about reaching out to people. Make sure that prospective mentors/sponsors have experience in something you want to learn more about and be very clear in your outreach. It could be about public speaking, an area of the industry you are curious about, or something you want to hone in on. This ensures you are efficiently creating relationships.
I always reach out on LinkedIn for a 15-minute call. From there, I will keep in touch and update them on my progress.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: refinn.ej and cregatgsu
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercruz12/
