I can't comment on real-estate careers but wanted to challenge you on your comment about "I cant really transition into a mid level position as I might have if I was in a traditional field like insurance, banking, project mgmt, etc. ."
This is to all those that desire to change careers/jobs, especially to young people w/out a lot of experience that get handed down a lot of myths about what can't be done.
I remember Once, I let such a myth hold me back when I was going for a marketing role and J&J w/out a traditional marketing background. The recruiters and hiring managers of course stuck in the box mindset said that would not be possible unless I took an entry level job. Several years later after that rejection, I dug in my heals and started going for whatever I wanted to go for that I thought I could do. That led me from Ops to sales, then marketing, then finance, then chief of staff, then corporate strategy jobs working with ivy leagues with my state college degree from the 90's paid for all by myself. And every time I went for these jobs, yes I had to interview a lot, go back to the job I had and continue learning, but...I eventually got a great job at either a higher level or higher pay + bonus + relocation and basically have gotten to see the world on a corporate dime. I have worked for newspapers, industrial businesses, tech companies, etc.
I have worked for some of the finest execs in the world and would have never got there if I let such myths stop me. And where are all my friends I started with that held tight to the myths. They are still working back in the same co I started at, at mid level, complaining about the same things they were 20 years ago and will eventually age out having never "went for it." Sometimes just going for it just because you believe you really can do the job gains a lot of respect and opens doors to conversations with amazing people you would have never met if you did not go for more. In your young accumulation years, it is important to take some risks because you get far bigger gains and have more time to recover if one path does not work out. Especially in corporate tracks - they are a grid, they are mostly all the same with different pivots on products and services. That said, go for the ones that have products or services you like where you can get the best job for the most money. The tech grid if you have tech skills is a great place to wander around for while - again, if you hit the FAANG companies, they pay the most - Salary, Bonus, Stocks or Options, have the fastest paths to rise, and there are a ton of things to do. All should be targeting moving into a new role every 2 years or so anyway as this is the best way to learn and rise. As you do, you will accumulate, meet hopefully some interesting people - those you admire and can learn from and those you would never ever want to be like. All great learning. Then you will enough time and experience and money to set the tone for your next phase if that is ERE or something else. Don't listen to all the moaning and groaning beside you. Take action - go on linkedin every day and look for all the possibilities. Keep up your network and give thought to in a perfect world I would like to work at...doing...and then look for possibilities from there.
Best of luck!
