Commercial Investment Real Estate Spring 2020 | Page 41

end, it will have taken me about six years to complete the program. CIRE: WHAT IS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND THESE LAST FEW WEEKS BEFORE YOU TAKE THE EXAM? WHAT MOST EXCITES YOU? HOW DO YOU KEEP CALM AND STAY FOCUSED AS YOU MAKE FINAL PREPARATIONS? DIAZ: These last few weeks before I take the exam, I am reviewing the material provided by CCIM Insti- tute when I originally took the courses. I try to spend time studying the areas I find most challenging. For the most part, I feel very well prepared and have an idea of what to expect. I keep calm and stay focused. At the same time, I’m using the material in my daily work as both a commercial mortgage and real estate broker. That’s a major help. I am looking forward to the exam, and I’m excited to meet other candidates and designees on site. CIRE: WHAT SUPPORT STRUCTURES HAVE HELPED YOU DURING THIS PROCESS? HAVE YOU RECEIVED HELP FROM COLLEAGUES OR MENTOR FIGURES? IS THERE A CCIM WHO INSPIRES YOU? Early in my career, I had wonderful colleagues who had been in the commercial arena for quite some time, and I worked with seasoned professionals in the field. DIAZ: I have had quite a unique support structure. Early in my career, I had wonderful colleagues who had been in the commercial arena for quite some time, and I worked with seasoned professionals in the field. I teamed up with one of them who took me under his wing and taught me a great deal about commercial real estate lending. I completed several transactions as part of a team and acquired a great deal of experi- ence before he retired. Since then, I have furthered my career in commercial real estate by taking all CCIM Institute courses and earning a bachelor’s degree in real estate. CIRE: CCIM INSTITUTE VALUES DIVERSITY. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU (AND YOUR CLIENTS) THAT YOU ARE BILINGUAL? DIAZ: Diversity is an important element in my profes- sional career because I get to exchange ideas and learn about other cultures within the commercial arena. I am fluent in both English and Spanish, which helps me communicate and advocate for my clients who come from Latin America to invest in real estate in Florida. Nicholas Leider Senior content editor for Commercial Investment Real Estate Contact him at [email protected]. Editor’s note: To protect candidates and instructors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CCIM Institute canceled April’s CCR course and Comprehensive Exam. Diaz is scheduled to take the exam in October at the CCIM Global Conference in Chicago. Congratulations to the Inaugural CCIM Foundation Goldie Scholar CCIM Foundation, in partnership with The Goldie Initiative, congratulates Goldie Scholar Irene Papierek, Master’s in Real Estate (MSRE) student at Roosevelt University and general manager at Lillibridge Healthcare Services, for receiving the inaugural CCIM Foundation Goldie Scholarship. The CCIM Foundation-funded scholarship is available to Goldie Scholars attending one of CCIM Institute’s University Fast Track partner universities. The Goldie Initiative’s mission is to prepare women for senior leadership roles in all sectors of commercial real estate. For more information, visit www.ccimef.org. The CCIM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Thank you to our 2020 corporate sponsor CIREMAGAZINE.COM COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 39