Most organizations in America today say they support our troops, but few do much beyond sharing empty platitudes on social media.
Johns Hopkins University wants to change that and is doing its part by launching an initiative to help more veterans land high-paying careers in the real estate industry. The university aims to do this with a multi pronged approach—or battle plan, if you will, that consists of a masters level real estate program, as well as a series of free events where attendees will have an opportunity to learn from and network with real estate professionals, meet recruiters and employers, and get access to specialized resources.
The first event, which can be attended virtually or in person, is coming up this June 25th, featuring a panel of real estate experts, including Kim Kiyosaki, Dr. David Phelps, Lori Greymont, and Jason Anderson, who will be sharing their insight on what it takes to succeed in today’s economy.
Program director, professor Seydina Fall, said Johns Hopkins chose to start an outreach program specifically for veterans as a way to give back to those who have already given so much for our nation while asking for so little in return.
This program will serve as a powerful conduit from military service to a financially rewarding career in real estate.
Kiyosaki said, “One of the most important things a real estate professional can do today is to get educated and to continue their education. So many factors in the world of real estate are changing at high speed, and in these changes, there will be winners and losers. I believe there will be a lot of opportunities for those who are prepared and can take advantage of them. Those who are more comfortable operating in chaotic and difficult environments like we’re seeing in today’s real estate market will thrive—and no one is better at that than our veterans. This mission is going to bring tremendous value to the real estate industry.”
Fall says the decision to focus on veterans wasn’t entirely altruistic, though.
“The other reason is because their skills, experience, and character traits are incredibly valuable to their future employers.”
He goes on to explain, saying, “We have a board of advisors made up of executives from some of the most successful companies in the world, so we get to hear first hand exactly what they’re looking for in their employees. And veterans have exactly what these employers are looking for.”
The reality is that veterans tend to have more developed leadership skills, and they’re typically placed in a position of authority much earlier than those in their peer group in the civilian world. Plus, most have been tested under far more austere conditions than we tend to encounter as civilians.
Dr. David Phelps says, “Veterans have a discipline and a work ethic already built in, which is missing out there in the workforce today, so I think real estate’s challenging environment is perfect for veterans. They have an affinity for it, they’re more mature, and they’ve already lived some life in some tough situations already. Ultimately, they get up every day and get after it. The character attributes veterans bring to the table are awesome assets for employers.”
Fall says, “Employers can leverage that to build more capable and dynamic teams.”
And that’s exactly what employers are looking for. They want employees who can think fast and adapt on the fly to rapidly changing conditions. They want leaders who are comfortable jumping out in front of the pack and taking initiative in the midst of chaos, adversity, and uncertainty. I believe veterans are the most qualified demographic in America to meet those needs, and many employers appear to agree.
Jason Anderson says, “Drastic changes in the real estate market over the last few years have presented new and dynamic challenges, however, with challenging times come new opportunities, and few demographics are as effective in environments like this as our veterans. I love that Johns Hopkins University is putting them at the forefront of that mission because I believe vets are uniquely qualified in so many ways.”
This is an incredibly important mission considering our recent troop drawdowns. With an influx of new veterans hitting the streets, coupled with job cuts, inflation, and other economic factors, it’s more important than ever to help them get reintegrated in civilian life and into a career that supports their family. This was a mission Anderson got excited about as soon as he heard about it.
“In the military, we have to depend on each other. It’s literally life or death. So that gets ingrained in us, and we tend to carry it into the civilian world. That was the same reason I created the referral network, VeteranPCS, to help service members move when they changed stations. So when I heard Johns Hopkins University wanted to create an infrastructure to help more veterans move into high paying real estate careers, I was onboard,” Anderson said.
The university’s inaugural event is June 25, 2024, featuring four of today’s top real estate experts sharing their insight on the state of today’s real estate market and what it takes to thrive.
There will also be networking opportunities and employers, recruiters, and education counselors will also be at the event.
Attendees can attend virtually or at the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business on its DC campus at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20001.
You can register via the university’s MeetUp page.
Lori Greymont said, “I have a special place in my heart for veterans, so I love what Johns Hopkins University is doing here, and I was excited to support this endeavor. I’ve worked with lots of different types of people, but the work ethic, adaptability, and commitment I see from veterans puts them in an entirely different class than most people. I’m also excited because of the positive impact that getting more vets into real estate will have on the industry as a whole.”
