GSU CRE Entrepreneurship Course: Student Q&A
I have been talking about the CRE Entrepreneurship courses at GSU over the course of few blogs.
Why trust me about the GSU experience? Here’s a student perspective discussing what the course meant to him.
Q: What is your name, status, degree, current position, and future career plans?
McAlister: My name is Rob McAlister, Jr. I am two classes away from graduating with my MS in Commercial Real Estate. I am the president and owner of Millrace Development, LLC, and my goal is to grow my company into a major player in the commercial real estate industry across the Southeast.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from this course? How was it different from other GSU courses?
McAlister: Here are some important takeaways I learned in the class:
- Beware of three-person partnerships.
- Professionals fall on a risk tolerance continuum, which dictates entrepreneurial “gumption.”
- There are thousands of ways to make money in this industry.
- More risk comes with more potential reward…and possibly loss.
The difference between this class and others was the storytelling and real-world, practical advice. The guest speakers were very solid as well.
Q: What did you like best about the class?
McAlister: I liked how personable the professors were. Their stated purpose for teaching was pouring information and experience into the next generation of real estate entrepreneurs. I took Stan Sonenshine up on his offer to discuss deals, and that action has now grown into a valuable friendship and mentorship.
Q: Which speaker did you like the best and why?
McAlister: Gary Chesson. Stan’s recommendation to read his book “Creating Trinity: Blueprints of a Real Estate Entrepreneur & Investor” was instrumental. After I finished reading the book, I have never been more motivated to go do deals.
Q: Do you have any other comments about the class and how it benefited you?
McAlister: I continue to benefit from the impact of my relationship with Stan as well as my classmates. Stan’s help and wisdom have been key in helping me launch my CRE business. I have also stayed close with the students with whom I was grouped in the course.
