We asked talented students and alumni what makes RMIT’s courses in property a great choice to advance your career in this traditionally male-dominated industry.
Despite being a traditionally male-dominated industry, property is an RMIT study area where inspired women excel. Whether you want to upgrade your skills and advance your career or change direction and gain industry-relevant experience that puts you on the path to success, RMIT’s property and valuation courses will set you up for success.
RMIT is committed to helping women break into traditionally male-dominated industries with networking and mentoring opportunities. In 2020, RMIT ranked number one in the world for efforts to reduce inequality in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, in line with the university’s commitment to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
At RMIT, you will increase your employability and build your professional network through industry connections, with opportunities for internships, experience and networking. Hear how these women in property collaborated with industry through their RMIT courses, and how they’ve built the skills to respond to the current and future needs and trends of the industry.
Meet Rachel Hornsby: Industry guest lecturer who’s passionate about affordable housing
Alumni of the Master of Property, founder of an affordable housing consultancy business and guest lecturer in RMIT’s undergraduate property courses, Rachel Hornsby returned to postgraduate study for the expert skills to work confidently.
“I work with developers, government and the not-for-profit sector to get housing built for low-income households. I act as a translator between the three sectors, supporting them to focus on what they are best at while I liaise with the other sectors.
“I enrolled in the Master of Property to provide me with the property development and investment analysis skills so I could confidently work with the private sector and broaden my existing skills in the government and not-for-profit sectors.
“The RMIT course had a great mix of required and elective units so I could tailor the course to my specialist interests, and it gave me great connections into the property sector with lecturers who were practitioners and academics.”
Hornsby says she still relies on the student connections she made at RMIT to share experiences and build knowledge together.
“I was in a study group with people from different backgrounds and at different points in their career, and we’ve stayed in touch and can share our expertise. When COVID-19 hit, I rang one of my peers whose strength was financial modelling (which was not my strength!) to ask what he was doing about rent relief in his organisation.
“Coming back to RMIT as a lecturer to the undergraduate property students gives me a chance to bring my industry experience to the classroom and to stay connected with RMIT. I really enjoy lecturing the next generation of property professionals and helping them get the best out of their studies and progress their career. I enjoy being at the leading edge of ideas and conversations and staying connected to new ways of doing things.”
Hornsby says job seekers will stand out in the field with communication, adaptability and keeping their ear to the ground.
“Job seekers in the property industry need a good balance of head and heart, an analytical mind, and the ability to identify what each party needs from a project. There is currently significant investment in affordable housing through the State Government’s Big Housing Build, and there’s a need for property and development professionals who can translate their commercial skills into the government and not-for profit sector to procure and develop housing at speed and at scale.
“Most people don’t realise the important overlap between the residential development sector and the community housing sector – they both involve the planning, development, and management of housing – and both need property professionals with the strong foundational skills that students get at RMIT.”
Meet Tomer Raz: award-winning student dreaming of a dynamic career
Currently studying the Bachelor of Applied Science (Property & Valuation) (Honours), Tomer Raz says RMIT’s focus on hands-on experience gives her the tools to succeed in her chosen career.
“The course provides students with a diverse range of skills and knowledge in property development, investment and valuation,” she said.
“The fourth honours year in the course adds value to my overall education, and I like the idea of writing a thesis while building on my research and analysis skills."
Raz aspired to a career in property from a young age, having been inspired by her architect dad.
“I have always had a passion for real estate and architecture and envisioning how a property could be improved in terms of design and layout. I was looking for a dynamic career where I can continuously grow as a person and as a professional career-woman; a career in valuation ticks all the boxes."
Raz’s highlights at RMIT include being the Vice President of the RMIT Property Society, participating in global platforms with leading professionals and receiving an award for the highest first year GPA in 2019. The award is sponsored by Mirvac through RMIT’s Employers of Choice program, connecting students with employers in property, construction and project management.
“Receiving the award meant a lot to me and gave me an opportunity to take stock of what I’d achieved in three years since I moved to Australia. They say that you’re more likely to take an interest in things that you’re good at, and I think that all starts from having the right teachers and mentors!
"The RMIT Property Society has provided me with the opportunity to meet like-minded people with similar interests and adds a lot of value to my learning experience. Most of our members have international experience, and many are currently working in the industry, so it’s a great way to keep up with the market, learn about job opportunities and socialise with my future colleagues."
Now employed with a Melbourne real estate agency, Raz can bring her knowledge of the property market into practice.
“In order to be successful in your career you need much more than just basic knowledge, especially in our competitive and innovative world. Interpersonal skills and creativity are priceless, and I learned skills like these in RMIT’s extra-curricular courses, called Creds.
“With the emphasis on research and communication skills and having completed core subjects in everything from property law to facility management, I am equipped with the vital knowledge and skills I apply in my work.
“What’s next for me is gaining an internship to build on my current knowledge and skills, and then obtaining my Certified Practising Valuer qualification. In the long term I hope to be in a position where I could mentor others, and my dream career is one where I’m able to produce valuation reports for various stakeholders and for different property types, while integrating both office and on-site tasks in a dynamic firm.”
Story: Hilary Jones
