11 answers
12
Updated 2762 views

How useful do you think taking real estate as major or minor when going into college Is it a better idea to go with something more general like marketing or communications? #Spring25

I'm a senior in high school struggling on selecting what I want to study and major in. All I know is I enjoy talking to others and want to give back to the community through my future occupation. #Spring25

spring25 marketing business-management real-estate communications
Thank you comment icon This is the same thing I was struggling with. I finally decided that I would go to college and major in business and minor in real estate. Although real estate was my first pick, it wasn't very promising. The market is always up and down, and there is no guarantee of good pay, which could be detrimental when your monthly bills come out. I will still be doing real estate as a smaller side job, but to ensure that I make enough to support my future family, I will be majoring in business management. mckenna
Answer This
12

11 answers

1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Shelley’s Answer

Hello! When you enter the job market, your skills and experiences outside of your major are often more important. If you choose to major in a more narrow field, you may not have as many opportunities to build a variety of skills that would be beneficial to a future employer, but you would have really great skills and knowledge for that specific field if that is where you want to land. On the other hand, if you major in something more general you will have classes and potential internships/jobs that could easily translate (e.g., communications is very important for real estate). It just might take a little more effort to explain/demonstrate to future employers how your major, classes, and internship/job experiences translate into their business.
1
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Brenda’s Answer

Hi,
I would recommend a more general major such as marketing or communications, this will give you the most flexibility and opportunity in the job market. If you end goal is to have a career in real estate, the skills you learn in marketing and communications will be very useful. Most careers in real estate are about communicating and forming relationships with people, marketing yourself and potentially property you are looking to sell. When you get your real estate license you will learn more specific laws, and the workings of real estate transactions. I would also recommend an internship within real estate to gain more experience.

Best of luck!
Brenda
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Justin’s Answer

Hi Pihaeu,

I've found that a more general major opens opportunities across various industries. With a more general major, you can gain experience that would otherwise be more difficult to gain if you were to move forward with solely real estate. In many states, you can receive your real estate license without needing a degree - many states have a test you need to pass in order to be a licensed realtor. If you were to major in marketing or communications, the tools you learn in school and via internships can actually help with real estate, such as social media strategy or how to build a marketing campaign for a home you are selling. College is a time to explore what you enjoy doing and what may not align with your career goals - take advantage of that by taking electives or seeking internships in areas you wish to gain more insight into.

Best of luck!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Laura’s Answer

It depends a lot on your country, but I think in general you could look for, for example, business administration and specialize in sales, and with that you'll have a lot of progress in real estate. Then you can look beyond a degree; the courses required to become a broker aren't considered a degree, but rather courses.
Expertise in the field will also be provided by the job; when you start working in that field, you will gain that specialization, beyond your degree.
I would choose something more general like what I added above and you would specialize in looking for work in real estate.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Jackie Aspiro’s Answer

I think it’s important to have an idea of what you think you’d like to do with your career when starting college, however also to give yourself room to change your mind.During your first 60 credits, most of your coursework will be focused on general education and foundational classes, often aligned with broader areas like Business or Communications. As you start taking those classes, you may realize your interests shift and you want to focus on something different and that’s completely normal.

Real estate can be a great field because it offers many career options, but it doesn’t always need to be your primary major. It can work well as a minor, through elective courses, or even by completing a short-term program to earn your real estate license (some can be done in just a few weeks). Many colleges also offer dual programs, which allow you to combine a general major with a real estate concentration. This approach gives you flexibility, transferable skills, and a clearer path once you’ve had time to explore what truly interests you.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Ankita’s Answer

Hi there! It’s perfectly okay to feel unsure about your major — many students figure things out as they go. The fact that you’re thinking ahead shows maturity and drive.

Is Real Estate a Good Major or Minor?
If you’re specifically interested in property, development, or helping people buy homes or invest, then real estate can be a great major or minor. It teaches you about:
Property law
Finance and investment
Market trends
Urban development
It’s especially valuable if you want to become a real estate agent, developer, property manager, or even go into real estate law or community housing work.

What About Marketing or Communications?
If your strength is talking to people and building relationships, then majors like Marketing or Communications might give you broader options. They can lead to careers in:
Public relations
Community outreach
Sales
Nonprofit management
Customer engagement
Media and storytelling
These degrees are flexible, and you can apply them to almost any industry — including real estate!

Final Thoughts:
Since you know you love connecting with people and giving back, consider this approach:
Major in something broad like Marketing or Communications
Minor in Real Estate to explore that field without committing fully right away

This way, you’ll gain skills you can use in many careers, while still exploring real estate to see if it’s your passion.
You're already asking the right questions — keep exploring, and don’t worry about having it all figured out right now. College is a great place to discover what truly drives you!

Ankita recommends the following next steps:

Take Intro Courses in Real Estate, Marketing, and Communications
Talk to Professors or Advisors
Shadow or Interview Professionals
Join a Club Focused on Leadership or Community Service
Volunteer in Your Community
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Bárbara’s Answer

I went through a very similar thought process myself. I knew I wanted to do something creative, flexible, and impactful, and like you, I also love connecting with people and giving back. Marketing was the path I chose and it's a field that keeps evolving and keeps you learning—which makes it exciting and never boring!

If you’re torn between something specific like real estate and something broader like marketing or communications, my advice is to go broad for your major and specialize through minors, certifications, or side projects. A major in Business, Marketing, or Communications gives you a solid foundation you can apply across many industries, including real estate, while giving you flexibility to pivot if your interests evolve.

Ultimately, choose a path that gives you options and keeps you excited to learn. If it feels like something you’d do even if you weren’t getting paid for it, that’s a great sign you’re heading in the right direction.

Wishing you the best as you take your next steps!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Carlos’s Answer

Real estate can be a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs who are ready to plan carefully, think strategically, and keep learning. To succeed, you need to be dedicated, knowledgeable, and make smart choices. Picking the right college major or minor is important for your future career. Consider the advantages of a specialized real estate degree compared to a general degree like marketing or communications. A real estate degree gives you a direct path into the industry, while a general degree offers flexible skills. Combining both through double majors, minors, or extra courses can really enhance your career in real estate and other fields.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Katie’s Answer

As you start your freshman year, consider choosing a broad area like business administration, marketing, or even going in undecided. I went to a Liberal Arts college, which required me to take a broad number of courses (physical sciences, social sciences, literature, etc), in addition to those within my major (accounting, economics) This allowed me to determine if I did enjoy the business side of things, and had I wanted to change majors, I wouldn't have had to start from scratch (as I would still need the science, literature, arts course to graduate).

Be mindful not to go too broad, though. Some friends who majored in communications found it challenging to get jobs because it was too general. For roles like marketing, companies often prefer candidates with marketing majors or minors.

It's a good idea to start broad and then focus on what you enjoy, either as a major or a minor. While a broad degree is valuable, remember that employers look for specific skills or knowledge for particular roles. Show them you have what it takes.

Wishing you the best of luck!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Aurelia’s Answer

I graduated from college in Business Administration and then decided to take the 2 week Real Estate course which was one of the best things I did. You don't need to decide right away and put this much pressure on yourself. You can always try your hand at real estate if you decide. Good luck!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Jeffrey’s Answer

Don't put too much pressure on yourself to select a major at this point. Start with something that really interests or that you think you're passionate about -- it'll be a good opportunity to see how true that is!

I was deciding between two very different majors my first year of college, and decided to take course in each major my first semester. It made the decision very clear for me when I realized which topics I LOVED learning about. Good luck!
0