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

A. Some college is usually preferred for apartment management positions, but it is not always required. The industry is especially interested in individuals who have college degrees or post-secondary education in fields such as business, finance, marketing, management and hospitality. Colleges such as Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.), the University of North Texas (Denton, Texas), Virginia Tech University (Blacksburg, Va.) and Curry College (Milton, Mass.) 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.

Click here to read about the college programs that offer Residential Property Management (RPM).

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 professional training can I earn in the apartment industry?

A. Through the National Apartment Association Education Institute and your local apartment association, maintenance professionals can become a Certified Apartment Manager (CAM). In addition to management, NAAEI offers programs in leasing and maintenance.

Areas covered by CAM training include:

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

To earn your CAM designation, you will need to have at least one year of industry experience. NAAEI’s designation programs are nationally-recognized. Click here to learn more about the CAM program.

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.