Mentorship programs are playing a significant role in real estate education, according to recent observations from the Sacramento Association of Realtors (SAR) and Los Rios Community College District. Their joint program at Cosumnes River College aims to supplement traditional classroom learning with practical, hands-on experience for students entering the field.
The initiative is designed to help students build confidence, gain industry knowledge, and establish professional networks. It focuses on preparing participants for the demands of real estate careers beyond what can be learned through coursework alone.
“The SAR and Los Rios Community College District’s mentorship program is a great way for students to get real-life experience by learning alongside an experienced mentor,” said Cindi Cereceres, current SAR mentor and SAR Internship Committee Chair. “It really helps them feel ready to hit the ground running once they get their license and join a brokerage. One of the first and continuing things I teach my students is the importance of being ethical. To me, that’s the most important part of this business.”
Pat Butler, Real Estate and Business Professor at Cosumnes River College, noted that finding employment after graduation can be challenging even for those who have completed licensing requirements. “The Internship in Real Estate program offers a supervised, structured, hands-on exposure to real estate sales, while providing some of the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful real estate career,” Butler said. “Upon completing the program, interns have had an inside look into the business of real estate and are better able to decide whether this is the right choice for them, and if so, have a head start as they begin a career in the field. The benefits are not limited to the intern; the real estate industry also benefits from the increased level of experience, knowledge, and professionalism possessed by these interns when they become real estate licensees.”
Program participants must complete 108 internship hours along with 18 hours of scheduled classroom meetings per semester. Those who finish earn three units of college credit. The class fulfills California Department of Real Estate educational requirements as either a substitute for Real Estate Practice or as an elective course.
Former participant Esther Kennedy reflected on her experience: “The relationships I developed during that season still exist today with both students and mentors,” she said. “I am on a fantastic and supportive team and closed my first deal in 6 months. This success can only be attributed to the program and the incredible mentorship I received.”
The California Department of Real Estate encourages its licensees to participate in similar programs when possible in order to support new entrants into the profession.
“The collaboration between SAR and the Los Rios Community College District to ensure students are most prepared for future careers in real estate is invaluable and certainly aligns with the Department of Real Estate’s (DRE) consumer protection mandate,” said DRE Assistant Commissioner of Licensing Jeff Oboyski. “Licensees are critical to the success of these programs, and we applaud those who are willing to volunteer their time with those just beginning their journey in the real estate profession.”
