With over 200 clubs on campus, students are able to join and participate in many extracurriculars outside of their chosen degree. Below we interviewed two members of the UVic Real Estate team; Grace Murphy, the Director of Social Media and Sierra Murguly, the Director of Events.
Why did you join UVic Real Estate?
Grace: There are a multitude of factors that influenced me to join the UVic Real Estate Club. Firstly, I feel as if women are very underrepresented in this industry that is dominated by men. I want to be a part of changing that by promoting the industry to other women and encouraging them to join, along with doing my part to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion. Next, my passion for educating others also played a big role in my decision to join the club. I believe that education is key to success, and the topic of real estate was lacking at the university. By joining this club in the role of the director of social media, I hope to expand our network of students and make the topic of real estate more accessible. I believe that by educating students about the industry, we can help them make more informed decisions about their future careers.
Sierra: I really joined this club for selfish reasons. I had a strong interest in Real Estate, and I wanted to learn more about it to make sure it was something I wanted to do in my future, and I wanted to make connections. That is why I came to this club, but the reasons I stayed go far beyond that. It was so amazing to meet students who were interested in Real Estate just as much as I was, and it was so fun to hear about what they knew and what different parts of the industry they were interested in. It was also so amazing to attend some of the speaker sessions we have hosted and the networking events we have been a part of so far. As director of events, I cannot wait to host even more events like these and see so many amazing faces, both new and returning, and create memorable opportunities for everyone who attends.
What does UVic Real Estate have planned for this semester?
We are excited to build on the club’s first semester after a successful founding in Summer 2022! Last week, we hosted an investment networking event where 20 students had the chance to chat with 15 industry professionals. On January 25, we’ll hold our first member meeting of 2023 to share what the club is working on and continue to provide a platform for like-minded peers to interact. We have a job fair planned for early February with the CSS and a large networking event in the works for early March. As the semester moves on, we’ll be improving on our current offering by adding educational modules and more opportunities to interact with the political side of the housing industry.
Why should women join the real estate industry?
Grace: The opportunities in real estate are so broad that there’s a role that you can enter from almost any degree. The diversity of the industry helps to build excellent foundational skills in business and can open many doors for women. Given that most young adults are concerned about being able to own a home in the future, it also doesn’t hurt to build knowledge of the real estate market to inform your future decisions. Women are underrepresented in the real estate industry and on our executive team, so we want to work hard to bring awareness to the opportunities on offer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion has become an extremely prevalent topic in today’s world. When a workplace incorporates this, the combination of varied individuals will lead to a more creative environment that promotes new thinking and inclusivity. The lack of representation we currently see in the real estate industry can lead to a homogenous and narrow perspective within companies, which can limit opportunities for innovation and growth. Additionally, having more women in the industry can provide role models for young women considering a career in real estate, and can help to break down stereotypes and biases that may be present in the industry.
Sierra: You will hear time and time again that Real Estate is an industry dominated by men. While this might be very easy to see, I have noticed from being a part of this club that the women in this industry are so supportive. They are the most welcoming and inviting women I have ever gotten the opportunity to speak to. You hear that Real Estate can be a cutthroat work environment. Still, I believe these women have felt what it has been like to work their way up in a male-dominated industry and because of that, they are so open to having conversations with women who are interested in Real Estate. It feels like a community of women who stick together and help educate and create opportunities for new women interested in the industry. It is truly so amazing to see how much women support women in this industry. This camaraderie has made me love what I do for the club even more. I understand how intimidating it can feel to join a mainly male-dominated club, but I urge you to come if you are interested. You will always find a friendly face with me, Grace, Julian, or any of our executives. Come say hi, and we will help you build connections with people who really care.
How does UVic Real Estate help club members succeed in the real estate industry?
After our first semester as a club, we have established three core values that we use to guide our decision-making. These are advocacy, education, and networking. It’s no secret that Victoria’s housing crisis has significantly impacted student’s ability to find places to live. We’ve discovered that as students, we have the opportunity to make our voice heard and advocate for the future of Victoria’s housing policy. UVic Real Estate plans to expand on our role as political advocates and provide a space for students to positively affect the future of Victoria. At our school, we unfortunately lack resources to learn about real estate. UVic Real Estate will continue to use guest speakers, blog articles, and our newsletter to help members become educated about the industry. While our club events often combine our values of advocacy and education, they also provide members with the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with industry leaders. We have already seen firsthand that members who are involved in the industry and willing to learn can land co-ops, internships, or post-graduate opportunities.
Any additional info you want to add?
Just our Linktree where you can find our Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsletter Sign-Up, and registration for our upcoming events.
Thanks so much for your time! As mentioned, check out their Linktree above to connect with young people breaking into the real estate industry.