A Q&A with an Investments graduate at St. Modwen Logistics

First things first, did you come from a Real Estate background? How did your degree set you up for success at St. Modwen?

I came to St. Modwen with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and didn’t have a background in real estate. However, during one of my finance modules, we explored the investment market, and how real estate has become a key driver in the growth of alternative investments. This laid the foundation for further research into the industry and cemented my interest in pursuing a career in real estate.

My degree helped strengthen my analytical skills and gave me a solid foundation in micro and macro economics. This has allowed me to confidently understand the background of the decision-making processes across each of the different business units at St. Modwen.

How did you start your career at St. Modwen, and why did you choose us?

I joined St. Modwen after an internship at Blackstone, where I researched the logistics sector and how their portfolio companies were driving growth in the industry. After discovering St. Modwen Logistics and reading about the rotational aspect of the graduate programme, I knew that it would be a great opportunity as someone without a cognate background to gain direct exposure to the core business units and obtain a holistic understanding of real estate.

What sort of work do you do, and what are the skills required?

I spend a lot of time underwriting and analysing new deals, inspecting potential acquisitions in different regions, collaborating with different business units to form a joined-up view on investment decisions, and implementing new initiatives to help streamline our investment process and analysis.

This requires solid collaborative and communication skills as you’re dealing with different stakeholders. Being able to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment whilst maintaining attention to detail is a must. It’s also best to approach everything with an open mind — you’ll constantly be learning new things!

What makes St. Modwen a great place to work?

Being joined up makes working so much fun, as different teams work together to share their specialisms, and achieve the same goals.

I also love the projects I get to work on. After underwriting and analysing a new opportunity, I enjoy inspecting the sites as you never know what to expect!

What are your tips on securing a role in Real Estate?

Networking is extremely important, as it is a very sociable industry where a good reputation can take you a long way. Be open to doing different types of roles, and don’t narrow your career

options — there’s valuable experience to learn from across the industry.

For St. Modwen in particular, I’d read up on any recent developments or deals that we’ve done that stood out to you. Also, I’d read up on our values, and talk in your interviews about any experiences you’ve had that relate to them.

Any last comments?

St. Modwen Logistics is an exciting, fast-paced work environment — it’s perfect for building your career in real estate. The people in the business are so motivated to help you develop your career, both personally and professionally.