SUNY Oswego’s Real Estate Club is hosting the first-ever Oswego Real Estate Conference on campus from noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 7 to provide students the opportunity to find jobs, network and get a first-hand experience in this career.
The conference, which will unfold throughout the Marano Campus Center, offers free tickets for students via tickets.oswego.edu or campus box offices. General admission costs $20, with youth admission $10.
“The inspiration for starting the conference is to create an environment for education and networking,” the president of the Real Estate Club, John Sassone, said. “Really we’re looking to establish relationships across the board between students and employers.”
A wide range of professionals will speak, including representatives of state, county and city agencies; real estate companies; and funding institutions.
Sassone attended the inaugural meeting of the Real Estate Club when it was first created four years ago. He said the club's purpose is to give students hands-on experience in this career.
Every year, the club attends the Urban Land Institute (ULI) conference where real estate developers, brokers and others from all over the country gather to share their expertise. This year, the club will attend the conference happening in Las Vegas, Sassone said.
“Our team is going to create a report of the stuff we learned at that conference and then present it at our conference,” Sassone said. “That way, we’re bringing value to all of the attendees, whether it's a student or real estate professional, or anybody.”
The conference in Oswego is meant to mimic ULI’s conference, Sassone said, and allows anyone in Central New York the opportunity to connect with professionals that may lead to employment as well.
The Real Estate Club is also looking to buy property they will own using the donations they intend to receive from alumni and other professionals. This experience will allow students to engage specifically with the type of real estate they are interested in.
“We are divided into many different teams like the designing team, marketing team, the PR (Public Relations) team and the logistics sites,” club member Eason Lee said. “Depending on your preference or interest, you could invest your time in that.”
Six members of the club will have the opportunity to promote this event on NewsChannel 9’s “Bridge Street” talk show in Syracuse on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“It’s more than just intimidating,” Lee said. “I think it's very energizing for me too because every single thing I discovered is new to me and that’s what really sparked my interest on this real estate level.”
The club encourages all students from every background to attend the conference, as attendees of any experience can gain a deeper understanding of the world of real estate. Students are able to continue experiencing these hands-on activities in real estate by joining the club where they meet every Thursday at 6 p.m.
“A person who is new to joining the club and has any interest in learning in real estate could come to a meeting where we actually go into investment properties and do things like install sheetrock and painting and cabinets and anything else you could think of,” Sassone said.
The Real Estate Club aims to inspire and empower students with real-world skills and connections, building a foundation for the next generation of industry leaders.
For more information, visit the conference website.
–- Written by Roxana Dolores of the Class of 2024