Abideen Jallow
Associate
Long & Foster Commercial Division
Years with company/firm: 2
Years in field: 2
Years in real estate industry: 2
Real estate organizations / affiliations: Urban Land Institute, Young Real Estate Council
How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry?
I leverage the information I’ve learned from studying, hands-on work, and interactions with professionals to serve as a resource for college students interested in real estate. Through this, I’ve had the opportunity to help students earn their real estate licenses, find internships, establish industry relationships, among other things. Despite still being an undergraduate student myself, I believe that there isn’t a set number of years I need to have worked in a specific field to assist others on their journey. Sharing knowledge and experiences can be valuable regardless of one’s career stage.
Who or what has been the strongest influence in your career?
My parents have been the most influential figures in my career. Since a young age, they emphasized the significance of a good education and hard work, encouraging me to become the best version of myself. This advice has stuck with me throughout my life, demonstrating that the only person who can stop me is me.
What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession?
Tenacity and intentionality have been instrumental to my growth within the commercial real estate industry. My obsession with learning and asking questions has led me to discover numerous opportunities and connect with great people. In this industry, it’s not uncommon to face non-responses or rejections, but it’s the follow-up that will make all the difference.
What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to become as successful as you are today?
When I first started cold calling, my confidence was extremely low, and it showed in the conversations I had. I faced being hung up on, cursed at, and yelled at, which was discouraging. However, I didn’t let these negative experiences deter me. Instead, I adopted the mindset that the only bad call was the one I didn’t make, and through perseverance I improved my interpersonal communication skills, which aided me in building sustainable relationships and growing in this exciting industry. Moreover, I realized that I didn’t possess enough knowledge about investment sales or capital markets to be a resource. However, I saw this as an opportunity to improve, and it motivated me to invest heavily in my education. I’ve dedicated long hours to reading, conducting research during class, being in the room with sophisticated commercial real estate professionals, and even sacrificing my weekends to gain the necessary expertise.
What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college today?
If you stay within your comfort zone you will only grow to your constraints, not your potential. It is important to recognize that growth and progress rarely occur within the confines of comfort. The road to realizing your full potential is paved with experiences that might be uncomfortable but are ultimately transformative. That being said, embracing discomfort and persisting through challenging circumstances are powerful indicators that you are moving in the right direction.