Twenty Newark high school students were introduced to the multifaceted world of commercial real estate under a hands-on summer internship program provided by the Newmark Associates CRE in partnership with the Newark Board of Education.
Under the mentorship of professionals at Newmark Associates and volunteers from various professions, the interns gained valuable insights and practical knowledge about various aspects of the commercial real estate industry, including architecture, appraisal, and construction.
The inaugural program, the first of its kind offered to high school students, was the brainchild of Jack Maier, Ebony Parham, Amanda Jones and Jeannette Melillo, all Newmark Associates professionals, in collaboration with Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger León and Assistant Superintendent Maria Ortiz.
Highlights of the program included a presentation by Dana Jenkins, founder & president of Jenkins & Grey, a woman-owned design firm, that allowed students to explore how architectural design principles are used in commercial real estate projects. Jenkins, who recently worked on the design of Mars Wrigley headquarters in Newark, gave students straws and DOT candy to construct a structure incorporating architectural design principles.
Other volunteer professionals included Marjorie Perry, president and CEO of MZM Construction & Management, a certified WBE (women-owned business enterprise) construction firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and New Jersey-based entities such as Newark Liberty International Airport.
Also, Art Linfante, managing director of Integra Realty Resources, introduced students to appraisals and gave them the opportunity to evaluate buildings for sale.
“We are thrilled to have completed our first internship program and to have provided these bright young students with a comprehensive introduction to the commercial real estate industry,” said Susanne Newmark, CEO of Newmark Associates. “Our goal was to inspire and educate the next generation of real estate professionals, and we are confident that these students have gained skills and knowledge that will benefit them in their chosen careers.”
Superintendent of Schools León said he appreciated the opportunity that Newmark Associates had provided the students noting, “Internship opportunities help young people visualize possibilities for their future and consider different career options.”
Newark Board of Education President Hasani K. Council congratulated the students who completed the program.
“This partnership with Newmark Associates has opened new doors for our students, offering them invaluable insights into the dynamic world of commercial real estate,” he said. “We are immensely grateful to Newmark Associates for their commitment to our students and their futures.”
Newmark Associates plans to expand the program in the coming years, offering more opportunities for students to explore the diverse and exciting field of commercial real estate.
Go here to watch short video highlights of the program on YouTube.
About Newmark Associates
Newmark Associates, CRE, located in Cedar Knolls, is certified as a woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and is an affiliate of CRESDA (Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance), servicing the supplier diversity requirements of Fortune 100 companies across the country. Celebrating over 35 years in the commercial real estate industry as one of the top brokerage companies in the state, Newmark specializes in lease and sales transactions of office, industrial, retail, land, healthcare, and mixed-use properties.
