Zach Spellman knew he wanted a career in finance. What he didn’t expect was to discover a passion for real estate that would shape his career goals.
“I didn’t realize I had an interest in real estate until I took my first class with Professor Chad Venne,” Zach said. “His passion for real estate management inspired me, and that’s when I knew this was a field I wanted to pursue.”
To prepare for that future, Zach, now a senior, is busy earning both the Real Estate Certificate and the Investment Management Certificate. He said the combination gives him valuable skills for analyzing investments, understanding financial models, and learning how to effectively manage residential and commercial properties.
Hands-on projects have made the lessons come alive. In one class, Zach’s group used CoStar to identify land in Wisconsin and design a new development plan. Working alongside architecture students added depth to the project.
“Having a master’s architecture student in our group made a huge difference,” he said. “His floor plans and renderings enhanced our entire proposal.”
Outside the classroom, Zach has built experience through internships in both private equity and property management. As an M&A Analyst, he sharpened his ability to assess company financials. At Colliers, he learned the day-to-day realities of managing properties and developed ideas for adding value.
Zach said, “Each internship gave me insights that prepared me for what I want to do long term—underwriting real estate deals and eventually owning multifamily residential properties.”
He is also president of the Panther Real Estate Club, where he enjoys connecting students with opportunities in Milwaukee’s competitive real estate market. “The club has helped me build my interpersonal skills and given me the chance to help other students discover their passion.” For Zach, success comes down to one simple principle: “What you put in is what you will get out. I try to give 100% in everything I do, because that’s how you succeed.”