At Berkadia, we are dedicated to fostering the growth of our early career professionals, ensuring they have a solid foundation for their future in the industry. Because We Believe People Matter, we are passionate about ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to succeed and are committed to providing personal development opportunities, training, and mentorship.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Kiana Giddings. Kiana started her commercial real estate career through a Berkadia internship, where she served as a Research Intern. After completing her internship, she was offered a full-time position as a Research Analyst in our Salt Lake City office.
Can you tell us about yourself and describe your role at Berkadia?
I graduated from Texas Christian University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Spanish and a Journalism minor. After graduating, I started working for Berkadia as an intern on the research team. By the end of August, I was given the opportunity to work full-time as a Research Analyst. My role on the team varies day to day, depending on what is at the team’s forefront. For the production side of research, I pull demographics and apartment fundamentals along with other requested information for our Project Managers working on deals across the country. Meanwhile for the publication side, I aid in writing our mid-year and forecast reports and use recent data to write blogs for Berkadia’s insights on the website.
How did you get into CRE?
I always had an interest in commercial real estate growing up, specifically multifamily. I would dream about living in New York City and would google apartments in my free time for fun. But my passion for real estate really didn’t materialize until I started my internship with Berkadia.
How did your internship at Berkadia prepare you for your current role at Berkadia?
I truly believe that my internship with Berkadia changed everything. During my internship, I was taught all the ins and the outs of the CRE business and found my interest in building a career in CRE and Berkadia. From my perspective, there was no real difference between an intern and employee besides job title and experience. During my summer as an intern, I worked on the mid-year reports and other deal related requests like the rest of the team. It was true insight into what working for Berkadia would be like. The research team welcomed me with open arms, quickly showed me the ropes, and always were willing to help me track down a source or find a specific data set.
What made you decide you wanted to come back to Berkadia full time?
I decided to stay at Berkadia because of the culture. My colleagues have always been helpful and have encouraged new ideas and career growth. I could tell from my internship that the “Berkadia Way” was lived and breathed at Berkadia. I knew that I had come across a great team, with an exceptional culture, where I could grow my career.
When considering Berkadia’s culture, what stands out?
The Berkadia Way is not just a saying but really is the mentality that everyone at this company comes to work with every day. Everyone upholds the highest standards for their work and keeps the people around them accountable as well. There’s a shared comradery and pride which everyone has that is unspoken yet undeniable.
What excites you most about CRE?
From a research perspective, I love how CRE is always changing. Over the past few years, I’ve researched cities and metros all over the country and I love seeing how places evolve over time.
What is the best piece of advice you have received so far in your full-time role?
I can’t single out one piece of advice, but all the mentorship, peer edits, brainstorming sessions, and constructive criticism I’ve received from my manager, Aaron Royster, Director of Research, Reports and Publications, has been nothing short of the best.
What advice would you give someone interested in working at Berkadia?
Apply! If you have any interest in CRE, Berkadia is the place to be. There is truly a place for everyone here. If you come with unique and fresh ideas, Berkadia is your oyster.