Written by: Mack Schlembach
Mack is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in real estate. He interned with Colliers | Columbus this summer on the office brokerage team with Ross Lanford, Grant Hartman and Jake Nolan. Keep reading for insight into Mack’s intern experience.
What has been your favorite project to work on throughout your time at Colliers?
My favorite project that I have worked on is the interactive office development map. I have been working closely with Researchers Gracie Criger and Brooke Ferman to find what the office brokers want to see on the development map. We collaborated to determine the best way to organize the current, completed and shovel-ready projects within the map. It was a very interesting process because it gave me insight into what developments are in the pipeline and what may be shaping our city in the next few years. It was also beneficial for me to work with marketing and research to gain a better grasp on what truly happens behind the scenes to make all the wheels in this machine turn. This project has allowed me to become more knowledgeable on the current development state of Columbus and how it influences the market as a whole.
What has been the biggest lesson you will take away from this internship?
The biggest lesson that I will take away from this internship is to be attentive and ask questions. As an intern from an out-of-state school, I came in with minimal knowledge on the current office market in Columbus. It has been very beneficial for me to attend meetings to learn about the current market since we are in a time of high vacancy rates with uncertainty about the total return to the office after the pandemic. I’ve learned so much from just listening to conversations of the brokers combined with the experience I have gained from going on tours and showings. The brokerage team I work with have been nothing but helpful in explaining to me the different aspects that go into office brokerage. They have done a great job answering any questions I have whether they are simple or more thought-provoking. Paying attention to what they do on a daily basis amassed with the advice and experience I've gained while here will continue to help me in my career in commercial real estate.
What aspects of commercial real estate has this internship made you more interested in?
Coming back to Columbus this summer and seeing the ins and outs of the commercial real estate market have made me more interested in the office sector, specifically brokerage. I now appreciate all that goes into the leasing and sale of different spaces and buildings. The process and time it takes to make sure a deal gets done is something I had never considered before coming to Colliers. The ability to see spaces firsthand and being able to learn about them was something I really didn’t know I would appreciate as much as I have. I am fortunate enough to have a great group of people leading me and explaining what goes into brokerage and how to be successful, which has made office brokerage immensely more interesting to me.