<p>For new and up-and-coming real estate professionals, there is no better place to take the next step in their career than New York City. When students enter the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-real-estate.html" title="MS in Real Estate">MS in Real Estate</a> program at NYU SPS, they have the opportunity to take their place at the center of everything, with industry experts as their instructors. One of them is Scott Robinson, who is an alum-turned-professor in the program. He sat down with us to share his industry insights, advice for prospective students, and teaching philosophy.</p>

<p>Scott Robinson grew up in Southern California, where he earned dual-bachelor's degrees in Biology and Economics, along with a minor in Accounting. After a few years of working in real estate, he decided to deepen his real estate knowledge by pursuing a graduate degree. A little research directed him to the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/schack-institute-of-real-estate.html" title="Schack Institute's MS in Real Estate">Schack Institute's MS in Real Estate</a> program at NYU SPS.&nbsp;</p> <p>Initially planning to return to California after graduation, Robinson found himself captivated by New York City and chose to establish his career there. Since earning his MS, he has worked at prestigious firms, including Standard &amp; Poors, Citigroup, Macquarie Capital, and Oberon Securities, and he is currently in-house at an NYSE-listed REIT. His passion for problem-solving and continuous learning has served him well both in his career and as an educator.</p>

<p>Robinson's positive experience as a graduate student at Schack motivated him to give back to the program. Having served on the Alumni Association's advisory board, he sought another avenue to support students and contribute to the MS program. Despite his initial apprehension about public speaking, he embraced the opportunity to teach. His first course presented challenges, but he quickly found his footing and discovered the profound rewards of helping students learn, launch their careers, and stay engaged long after graduation.</p> <p>Students in the MS Real Estate program at Schack benefit from a strong sense of community and an extensive network. When students complete the program, they often leave with lasting bonds with their classmates and instructors. Plus, the program's networking events are poised to help their career growth post-graduation.</p>

<p>Robinson humbly acknowledges the successes of his former students, many of whom now hold senior positions in the industry.</p> <p>&quot;I have dozens of former students who are now in senior industry positions. They all recognize the impact their time at Schack had on their career and are always generous with their time, agreeing to guest speak and advise my current students.&quot;</p> <p>Developing a global mindset is crucial to leading a fruitful career in real estate. Robinson believes that being globally minded means thinking beyond one's immediate sphere of engagement. He frequently uses the phrase &quot;think differently&quot; to emphasize the importance of diverse experiences, creative thinking, and collaboration. This approach has served him well throughout his career, earning him a reputation for innovative transaction structures, insightful investment and market theses, unbiased advice, and transformational leadership. He brings this mindset to the classroom, challenging his students to adopt a similar perspective.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the applied field of real estate, engagement with the industry is essential. Robinson integrates real-time deal structures, cost of capital, and macro forecasts into his capital markets and investment-centric courses. He also emphasizes the value of analyzing past transactions to learn from structures that did not work out well. This retrospective analysis equips students with the ability to gain an edge in the industry.</p> <p>Robinson advises incoming students to discover their innate strengths and align them with market needs. He encourages students to explore all aspects of the industry during their time in graduate school by attending panel discussions, conferences, and speaker series, networking with professionals, and pursuing internships. This exploration helps students identify their strengths and carve out successful career paths.</p> <p>In the face of a challenging macroeconomic and sociopolitical environment, Robinson reminds students that adversity fosters resilience and growth opportunities. He encourages them to find the silver lining, leverage their relationships, and embrace their desire to grow.</p> <p>Students in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-real-estate.html" title="MS in Real Estate program">MS in Real Estate program</a> get to learn from experts in the field, network with top real estate professionals, and create a community of globally-minded colleagues. Will you join them?</p>