Building a Network: The Start of the NC State Real Estate Club

Meet Cameron Lewis, a finance major entering his junior year at NC State. When Lewis arrived at Poole College, he had a budding interest in real estate — but it quickly grew into a serious pursuit. He recently  founded the NC State Real Estate Club — a decision that would not only expand his network but also create valuable resources for other students.

“My initial goal was to simply connect with a few like-minded students, maybe make some friends who shared my interest,” he says. “But the club ended up growing so much bigger than I ever anticipated.”

From humble beginnings, the Real Estate Club has evolved into a dynamic community. Lewis and his team have successfully organized guest speakers, connecting students with professionals from the real estate industry. “It’s all about expanding networks and learning from industry professionals,” he says.

The mission of the Real Estate Club is clear: bridge the gap between students and industry professionals. What started as a small gathering of real estate enthusiasts has grown into a platform where students can network with each other and with real estate professionals, paving the way for future job and internship opportunities. 

“Our overall goal is to provide value to our students by connecting them with professionals in Raleigh,” Lewis explains. “And in turn, these professionals gain access to a pool of talented NC State graduates.”

The Real Estate Club has a busy fall semester planned, with biweekly meetings featuring a range of guest speakers. “We’ve already scheduled six out of seven guest speakers for this fall,” Lewis shares. “We poll the group to find out what they’re interested in learning — whether it’s hearing from a real estate attorney, a president of an investment company, or another expert in the field. These sessions provide insight into their career paths and current roles in real estate.”

This fall, the Real Estate Club will host several prominent guest speakers. The lineup includes Jason Kogok, the founder of Investors Wealth Education, as well as the club’s non-faculty advisor; Angie Cole, owner of Cole Properties; Adam Schneider, an expert in real estate financing; and Patty Segar, president of Dogwood Residential. Each speaker will bring unique insights and experiences to the students, enhancing their understanding of the real estate industry.

In addition to hosting guest speakers, the club also provides market updates and networking opportunities. 

“One of our goals is to establish connections with each other very early in our careers. This way, in the future, we have a network of students and alumni from NC State who can potentially work together.”

The Real Estate Club has already made a significant impact on the NC State community. “We discovered the College of Design recently started the Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program,” Lewis says. “Although it’s still in its early stages, with just eight courses, it’s great to see that the real estate community at NC State is growing.”

By collaborating with the College of Design and other departments, the Real Estate Club is helping to foster a vibrant real estate community on campus.

As the Real Estate Club continues to grow, Lewis is focused on ensuring its sustainability beyond his time at NC State. “I’m committed to leading the club for the next two years until I graduate. But I’m also working on setting it up so that it can run smoothly after I’m gone,” he explains.

The club has strong support from its faculty advisor, Christian Koch, and its newly appointed non-faculty advisor, Jason Kogok. With this guidance, Lewis is confident that the Real Estate Club will continue to thrive, providing valuable opportunities for NC State students for years to come.