Students have learned about the range of career opportunities available within the property sector at an event in Wollongong.
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The University of Wollongong and the Property Council co-hosted an 'In Conversation' session with students on Tuesday.
Among the students was Jordyn Brundin, 18, who is studying a double degree in law and economics finance.
Although she'd had no prior knowledge of topics such as property investments, she recently started conducting her own research.
She said it was "eye-opening" to learn about the various sectors that now exist within the property industry.
"I had no idea of the possibilities that it could extend to," she said.
"They were speaking about a lot of the undergraduate degrees that (traditionally) led into the property industry... (Such as) engineering and architecture.
"However, there is so much potential in all of the other ones, which often have even more relevance, in terms of communicating with a lot of different people and crunching the numbers."
According to the Property Council of Australia, the property industry is currently Australia's largest employer; employing 1.4 million people across Australia each year.
However, the Property Council wished to showcase to students that it is a historically misunderstood industry; that a career in property no longer just means working in real estate or property development.
Tuesday's event sought to emphasise that skills in accounting, business law, economics, finance, human resource management, supply chain, management, marketing and public relations could all be applied to a role within the property sector.
Students learned more about the career opportunities in property from industry professionals, who discussed their career journeys and roles within the property industry.
Speakers included Jennifer Macquarie, director of the Fountaindale Group and chair of the Property Council's Illawarra Chapter Committee; and Greg Walls, planning manager - NSW Ports.
Ms Brundin said the breadth of the sector was encouraging. "I don't know where I want to end up with my degree," she said.
"I've chosen a really broad and stable one, to hopefully open up opportunities to me.
"To know there's so many different sectors within that field is really comforting."
Property Council Illawarra regional director Michelle Guido said the event was a great opportunity to showcase the breadth and diversity of the property industry, to create awareness about the jobs and opportunities available across the industry, and to give students the chance to network with local property professionals.
"We have such a great talent pool here in the Illawarra, creating opportunities and jobs for our students and graduates is key to the future growth and prosperity of our region, and fostering a pipeline of talent for the property industry," she said.