From Internships to Director: Karolina’s Path Into Real Estate Investment & PE Careers

Wall Street Oasis

Business

4.9 • 534 Ratings

🗓️ 3 December 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Discover how Karolina broke into Real Estate Private Equity (REPE)—from early internships to landing a director-level role. In this interview, she shares her complete career journey, how she transitioned from traditional finance into real estate investing, what interviewers really look for, and the importance of mentorship in shaping a successful career. You’ll learn: ✔️ How Karolina started her career through internships ✔️ What it’s like moving from banking/finance into real estate investment roles ✔️ Insights into real estate financial modeling tests ✔️ How to network effectively and find a mentor ✔️ What skills REPE firms look for in candidates ✔️ Advice for students & young professionals entering the real estate industry Whether you’re exploring real estate finance, private equity, or want to grow your investment career, this conversation gives you practical, hands-on guidance from someone who’s been through the process.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Most recently I was a director in the Real Estate that Strategies team at Newveen.
0:05.0	It took a lot of time and a lot of failed interviews.
0:09.0	And sometimes I was given 10-hour, very detailed modeling tests.
0:15.0	Honestly, I was losing hope a little bit.
0:17.0	Talk to me a little bit about just you as a mentor.
0:19.0	What types of students are you looking to kind of connect with so far it's been a mix but I've been helping out
0:26.2	students of course
0:27.6	Carolyn thanks so much for taking the time to join us today.
0:43.1	Thank you, Patrick, and pleased to be doing this.
0:47.8	Yeah, it'd be great if you could give the listeners kind of a short summary about
0:50.3	tell us about your amazing career.
0:53.1	Yeah, so I'm Karina Wittowich.
0:55.0	I'm a senior real estate debt and investment professional.
0:59.0	I have varied experience, gained at asset management firms, a bank, and a private equity fund.
1:07.0	So most recently I was a director in the real estate debt strategies team at Newveen.
1:12.9	New Vien is a leading global asset management firm.
1:16.3	And I was focused there on origination, structuring and closing of debt investments in UK and Europe.
1:23.2	So I've been based in London most of my career.
1:27.1	Previous to New Vene, I had roles at La Salle investment management, also on So I've been based in London most of my career.
1:27.6	Previous to Newvene, I had roles at La Salle investment management, also on real estate
1:32.1	debt, real estate equity.
1:34.7	Prior to that, a quick stint, I mean, four or five years stint at a bank, South African
	...

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