Avana Williams

About Avana Williams

Hey, my name is Avana and I am a student at Rutgers University currently taking a gap year to fully immerse myself in the real estate development industry. My goal is to have a career in development, and I am deeply passionate about gaining as much early exposure as possible.With an interest in finance during high school, I learned about cryptocurrencies, investment vehicles, retirement accounts, and the overall basics of financial literacy. It wasn\'t until I read the book \"Rich Dad, Poor Dad\" by Robert Kiyosaki that I chose to explore his primary wealth builder - real estate. The beauty of architecture has always caught my eye, and I\'ve been interested in a career in development since.During my second semester as a freshman, I wrote a 12-page research paper on Oakland, California\'s homelessness crisis (my hometown). In this paper, I explored California\'s Homekey Development program, The New Beginnings RV Parking program, Affordable Housing Incentives, Oakland\'s Community Cabins, and other homeless solutions nationwide. This experience and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity\'s construction site in Concord, California, opened my eyes to affordable housing and created my love for research.My experience with Project Destined\'s Commercial Real Estate Fundamentals Program has also introduced me to core skills in market and property analysis, valuation, and deal financing. This certification and multiple online sources have deepened my knowledge of the financial aspect of development, and I\'ve been looking for more opportunities.During my gap year, I am working on my real estate license, finding internship opportunities, attending events, and remaining updated with real estate news. A few podcasts/websites I use for information include Syndication School, The Lone Star Capital Podcast, Bisnow Publications, and The Wall Street Journal. I have also read books like The Peebles Principles, Can\'t Hurt Me, and The Life of Gerald D. Hines.Whether you work in private equity or investment banking, I am dedicated to developing a well-rounded view of the financial industry. I\'d love to connect and hear your story!

Experience

1. Commercial Real Estate Intern

   Project Destined

   Feb 2025 — Present

Education

• Diablo Valley College

  Sophomore

  2025 — 2026

• Rutgers University–New Brunswick

  Sophomore

  2023 — 2028