Top Internships in Ohio for Real Estate Careers

Internships are a great way to test the waters of a new career (and gain some practical experience). After all, how do you know if real estate is a good fit for you if you don’t have the opportunity to try it out before you go through the licensing process? But how common are internships for real estate? We asked some top brokerages in Ohio about the internship opportunities they offer to answer that question.

Key Takeaways

• Real estate internships and training programs offer essential hands-on experience and opportunities to network with professionals, providing a solid foundation for those starting their careers.
• Several Ohio brokerages offer structured training programs or shadowing opportunities to support new agents.
• Job boards, real estate associations, and career fairs are effective tools for finding internships or entry-level positions in real estate, and networking within the industry can also lead to valuable opportunities.

Benefits of Internships for Real Estate Students and Career Changers

We discovered that internships for real estate students aren’t common, but that doesn’t mean new agents must enter the field blindfolded. Many brokerages offer training programs, coaching, and in-depth onboarding for people new to the industry.

Here are some benefits of internships and real estate training programs for those new to the industry.

1. Gaining hands-on experience in the field

Classroom learning provides essential knowledge, but nothing compares to real-world experience. Internships allow you to apply the theories and concepts you’ve studied in real estate school to actual client interactions – perhaps during property tours and deal negotiations. You’ll understand the pace of the industry, gain insight into various real estate processes, and see what it’s like to negotiate on behalf of a client during an internship or training program.

2. Networking with other real estate professionals

Internships provide more than just practical experience—they open doors to valuable networking opportunities. Real estate is a relationship-driven industry, and building connections with professionals can significantly boost your career. Interning at a real estate brokerage introduces you to experienced agents, brokers, and industry influencers who can offer mentorship, provide references, or even lead to future job offers.

3. Enhancing your resume and job prospects

Having internship experience on your resume shows brokerages that you are serious about your career. Real estate employers are more likely to invest in your training if you show that you are dedicated to learning more about the industry.

Top Ohio Real Estate Companies Offering Internships or Training

We contacted a few Ohio real estate brokerages to ask about training for new agents and how to intern at a real estate company. While only a couple offer real estate internships in Ohio, all are dedicated to helping new agents succeed.

Pivot Realty Group

Pivot Realty Group has a career development team that works with people interested in becoming agents. Each prospect is assigned a career lead, who walks the want-to-be agent through pre-licensing classes, exam prep, and the process of becoming an agent and REALTOR®.

“Our agents consistently give us feedback that this program gets them through the process quicker and helps them hit the ground running once they are licensed,” said Solomon Wilburn, Broker and Director of Career Development at Pivot Realty Group.

Coldwell Banker Realty

Coldwell Banker Realty has an extensive onboarding process for new agents led by an agent development specialist. This process includes one-on-one training as well as group classes, weekly sales meetings, daily virtual classes, daily in-person education, shadowing experiences, and weekly roundtable discussions.

“New agent education is incredibly important for someone starting a real estate career.  Every successful agent was new at one point,” said Tracy Coe, Regional Vice President-Central Ohio, Caldwell Banker Realty.

Howard Hanna

Howard Hanna offers shadowing opportunities for people interested in real estate. The brokerage also provides a new agent training program once that person becomes licensed to get new agents up and running.

“Additionally, our office managers offer mentorship and guidance to both new and experienced agents, and we have several coaching and training programs geared to make our agents more successful,” said Amanda Mutchler, Director of Agent Recruitment and Development at Howard Hanna.

Serenity Realty

Serenity Realty offers unpaid internships for aspiring real estate professionals to learn about essential real estate topics, such as buyers, sellers, property management, and auctions.

In addition to these discussions, interns gain hands-on experience by spending one day each week in the field, applying the concepts learned in real-world scenarios.

“We encourage interns to bring their excitement, energy, and enthusiasm as they work towards obtaining their real estate licenses,” said Ivan Smith of Serenity Realty.

Red 1 Realty

Red 1 Realty’s business model focuses on structured training and tremendous support. As part of its structured training, Red 1 Realty offers a new agent “boot camp” to help agents get started.

“We also have an optional structured mentorship program that really helps new agents get their business off the ground much faster than the typical new agent,” said Ken Fairchild, Broker at Red 1 Realty.

How to Find the Right Real Estate Internship in Ohio

Finding the right internship or new agent training program may seem daunting. Here’s how to find real estate intern jobs or brokerages that support new agents.

1. Utilize job boards, real estate associations, and career fairs

Many real estate firms post internship opportunities on popular job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialized real estate platforms. Additionally, Ohio-based real estate associations often share listings for internships or entry-level positions. Don’t forget about career fairs—whether hosted by Hondros College or other local organizations—these events can connect you with firms actively seeking interns.

2. Network

Tap into the network you’ve started building through your courses and professional events. Hondros College’s alumni network, instructors, and guest speakers can be a goldmine for internship leads. Attend industry events, webinars, or workshops to meet professionals who can introduce you to potential opportunities.

The best way to prepare for your career as a real estate agent is to enroll in pre-licensing courses taught by experienced local instructors. As a student, you’ll also have access to our monthly Career Nights, where you can connect with area brokerages.

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