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
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