Before Deja Alfaro found herself working in fund management in London, she was a first-generation college student at NYU trying to figure out where she fit in finance. Like many business students going to school in New York, the path seemed to point in one direction. "Everyone just does investment banking," Deja said. "Seeing careers outside of that within finance was more challenging."

She knew she was drawn to finance, business, and problem-solving. What she didn't yet know was how many different ways those interests could translate into a career. So when she received an email about Forté's College Fast Track to Finance Conference, she signed up immediately. "I could not put in my email fast enough," she laughed.

What she found was an industry she had never considered.

Location, Location, Location

After a full day of sessions and networking, Deja made her way through the employer expo. She moved from table to table, trying to absorb as much as possible. Then she stopped at Hines.

Lauren Zalaski, who leads early talent recruiting for Hines, remembers the interaction clearly. "We literally clicked in the first 60 seconds," Lauren said. "It was clear she was smart, but what stood out was how eager she was to learn about what else was out there in finance."

For Deja, the conversation felt different. "Sometimes when you're going through recruiting, you feel like a number," she said. "But with Lauren, the conversation just flowed." They talked about interests and career paths, not recruiting. "Networking is not about being a robot or trying to read what someone wants you to say. The connections that have taken me the furthest were the ones where I could just be honest."

Closing the Deal

Ironically, Deja grew up surrounded by real estate (pun intended). Her parents owned a residential business, so conversations about offers, listings, and home sales were familiar. She just had never connected those experiences to the broader world of finance and investment management. Talking with Hines changed that.

That initial Forté conversation led to an internship with Hines in Houston, where Deja worked on the due diligence team within capital markets. The company culture felt different from what she expected. Her team encouraged interns to meet people across the organization, ask questions, and build relationships. "It was really emphasized that we should utilize the time to meet others and learn," Deja said. "Connections are what make the world go round."

Lauren believes those relational skills matter more in real estate finance than students often realize. "She was intellectually curious, which is huge for us," Lauren said. "And she was relational, which is an underrated part of real estate finance."

Room to Grow

After her internship, Deja accepted a full-time rotational analyst role with Hines. The program took her first to Houston, then to London, where she now works as an Analyst in Fund Management. "I never envisioned myself living in Texas," she admitted. "Then I ended up loving Houston."

Many students entering finance expect nonstop hours and constant pressure. Deja found something different. "Real estate is more chill," she said. "My coworkers had families and full lives outside of work. It felt more human." That realization reinforced something she wishes more students understood early. "There's this box everyone thinks they have to fit into," she said. "But that box does not exist."

An Open House for Possibility

Today, Deja returns to Forté events as a Hines representative herself. Looking back, she sees how much pressure students place on themselves to have everything figured out. Her advice is simple: "Ask questions. Try a bunch of things. Go to events even if you are not sure whether you are interested yet. That's how you learn what is out there."

For Hines, those early conversations matter too. "We want to find talent early and develop it," Lauren said. "Deja's path from Forté attendee to intern to full-time analyst shows the value of these conversations."

Not every career begins with a perfect plan. Sometimes, it starts by walking into the right room.