Q. What kind of education or experience do you need to start a career in apartment management?

A. Some college is usually preferred, but not always required, for positions in apartment management. The industry is especially interested in individuals who have college degrees or post-secondary education in fields like business, finance, marketing, management and hospitality. Colleges such as Ball State University (Muncie, IN), the University of North Texas (Denton, TX), Virginia Tech and Curry College (Milton, MA) even offer Residential Property Management (RPM) majors or concentrations, designed specifically for those who want to pursue careers in apartment management. While having a college degree isn’t always necessary to succeed in apartment management, it may help you advance more quickly.

Q. Do apartment management jobs provide benefits?

A. Most apartment companies provide a wide array of benefits, ranging from health insurance, paid vacations and 401ks for retirement planning to rent assistance for housing, tuition reimbursement, and industry training. Professional development is a priority for the apartment industry, and benefits are viewed as an important part of that development.

Q. What kind of certification can I earn in the apartment industry?

A. NAAEI offers a management certification called the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designation. Areas covered by CAM training include:

• Management of Residential Issues
• Human Resource Management
• Financial Management
• Legal Responsibilities
• Fair Housing
• Property Maintenance
• Marketing
• Risk Management
• Apartment Community Analysis

Q. What kind of career advancement is there for management positions?

A. Community management offers limitless possibilities. Managers can start out in small communities with one or two team-members and work their way up to larger properties managing dozens of people. There are also opportunities with larger companies to take experience and education into a corporate setting, where a management professional can oversee many properties at once. Compensation for these more senior positions can range in the six-figures.