Expert: Brian Bocchieri - 2/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I am thinking of becoming a loan officer, but the idea of working on commission only forever is not appealing. Are there other jobs in real estate finance or real estate in general that a loan officer can move up to? One of the things I find appealing about real estate is the ability to plan interiors or floorplans of apartment buildings and hotels, but I'm assuming that falls into development which probably takes a lot of money to get started in.

ANSWER: Hello Danielle;

There are many careers in real estate you may want to pursue.  If you like the finance part of real estate you can apply to a commercial bank in the loan department bank usually do not pay commission they pay salary plus bonuses.  

It seems like you are tending more towards the creative side of real estate therefore you may want to work for an architect or a space planner.  You may be able to intern with one of these companies or volunteer to work for free for a while to show them what you can do.  By doing this you get a feel for the business and experience the type of work you may be doing in the future.  

I don't know if you have the financial ability to work for free (not many people do) for a couple of months or so, but if you can I think most firms would welcome you.  

If these careers and not what your looking for, ask around ask people in the industry to find what may be a good fit for you.  

There are so many careers in the real estate profession just go out and follow your passion!!

Wishing you all the best

Brian Bocchieri

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I also have a question about architects. Do architects usually hang around construction sites, or is that more the job of the contractor?

ANSWER: Architects design the project to proper building standards and codes.  They do do site visits from time to time to check the progress and/or to resolve issue that may arise.

For the most part architects are not on the job every day.

The general contractor is responsible to carry out the architects plans on the particular project on a day to day basis should the "GC" (general contractor) find a situation not included on the plans, or an unexpected site condition the architect is called to make a change and to be sure the change will meet or exceed the building standards.

I hope this helps clear things up.

Wishing you all the best.

Brian Bocchieri

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What is the salary range for architects? Are they paid per project or do they receive a yearly salary? It also seems like a male dominated field. Are there many female architects? Is this a career that has longevity?

Answer
I do not know what the salary range is it would certainly depend upon experience.  

If you are in your own practice you would be paid by the project working for a firm you would be paid salary plus bonus depending on your abilities.

To become an architect you must have a college degree in architecture and then pass the state exam for each state in which you wish to practice.  

There are many outstanding female architects in practice.  

Yes the career has longevity the discipline has been around since the Romans built the Coliseum ( they may not have been called architects then).  As long as there is building there is a need for architects.

Wishing you all the best

Brian Bocchieri