At Berkadia, we’re focused on shaping the future of the commercial real estate industry through our internship program. We believe in helping our interns grow by giving them real-world experience, personal development, training, and mentorship. We value our people and are passionate about ensuring that each individual has the tools they need to succeed.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Emma Oehlrich, an intern with the Affordable Housing platform in the Nashville office, to learn more about why Berkadia stood out to her, the knowledge she’s gained, and the best advice she received while interning at Berkadia.
Can you tell us about yourself and describe your internship at Berkadia so far?
I’m a junior at the University of Arkansas where I am majoring in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in Marketing, set to graduate in May 2026. This summer, I’m interning with Berkadia in the Affordable Housing division. So far, I’ve gained hands-on experience by assisting real estate analysts with Berkadia’s financial model and participating in coordination, closing, and weekly pipeline calls.
Why did you choose to Be Berkadia this summer?
I chose Berkadia because of their strong and well-respected reputation in the real estate industry. I also respect the company’s culture and how value-driven the company and employees are.
When interviewing for internships, what made Berkadia stand out?
During the interview process, the individuals I spoke with appeared knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about their jobs and careers, which felt very authentic. Berkadia’s commitment to development and its value-driven approach made a strong impression on me. I was also excited about the opportunity to work in the affordable housing sector, which aligns with my career goals and passions.
What has your internship at Berkadia taught you about your future career or yourself?
I’ve realized that I enjoy being part of the real estate industry and am eager to learn more about it. I’ve discovered that I thrive in collaborative workplaces and value establishing relationships and connections with my colleagues. I love being challenged and learning new skills and concepts each day. My experience with Berkadia has shown me that I truly enjoy the real estate industry and want to pursue a career path within it.
If you’ve had other internships, how does Berkadia’s internship program differ? Why?
Berkadia has implemented many trainings and calls, making the program feel structured and intentional. Everyone at the Nashville office has made me feel truly involved. I’ve been exposed to real projects and have had analysts sit down with me to teach me how to thrive as a real estate analyst intern.
How are you applying your coursework in this role? What do you expect to take away from this role?
My finance and real estate courses at the University of Arkansas have made me familiar with financial modeling and how to analyze a model. They have also helped me understand how to analyze data and become familiar with concepts like NOI, as well as the cash flow process. I expect that my hands-on experiences during this internship will provide me with a clear understanding of the affordable housing sector and strengthen my ability to excel in an analyst role in the future.
What specific skills or knowledge have you gained from this internship?
I’ve gained hands-on experience and practical applications with modeling, as well as valuable knowledge on how to communicate effectively and build relationships with colleagues. Participating in Fannie Mae training has helped me enhance my resume and expand my knowledge. Most importantly, I’ve broadened my understanding of the affordable housing financial process.
What advice would you give someone interested in interning at Berkadia?
Be open to trying new things and don’t be afraid to make mistakes or take risks. Put yourself out there and connect with people within the company and team. Take initiative and show that you’re eager to learn more every day and contribute to anything you’re asked to do.
What is the best piece of advice you have received this summer?
The most valuable advice I’ve received is to ask as many questions as possible and not be afraid to seek clarification. Embracing mistakes is essential, as they truly enhance the learning process; you can’t fully excel unless you’re willing to learn from them. I’ve been encouraged to put myself out there, be ready to learn new things, and, most importantly, take risks.