NYCEDC Fellowship Program

Jumpstart Your Career at NYCEDC

NYCEDC’s Future Innovators in Real Estate (FIRE) Fellowship Program is a paid 16-month multidisciplinary training program that aims to prepare the next generation of talented professionals for careers in real estate development in New York City. Our FIRE fellowship aims to expand access in the real estate industry and build a pipeline of talented professionals reflective of the communities we impact. 

The incoming class of FIRE Fellows will work full-time from September 2025 to January 2027 and receive an annual salary of $70,000, plus benefits.

The application period for the 2025-2027 FIRE Fellowship Program is now open! Submit your materials here. 

Please check back here for the latest updates and sign up for future information sessions below:

• Tuesday, May 13 at 5 pm EST
• Thursday, May 22 at 12:15 pm EST

Program Objectives:

• Expand and cultivate the city's real estate development talent pool
• Identify, recruit, and place a cohort of diverse fellows into placements across NYCEDC departments
• Provide fellows with on-the-job training that further develops the skills and knowledge needed for success in the real estate industry
• Convert fellowship opportunities to long-term careers in real estate development

Program Experience:

Each fellow will work for four months in the following teams on a rotational basis:

• Asset Management: Learn the ins and outs of capital improvement projects across industrial, commercial, and waterfront assets
• Neighborhood Strategies: Champion underserved communities by advancing projects that work toward a more just, prosperous, resilient, and sustainable New York City
• Real Estate Transaction Services: Help analyze, structure, and execute complex and large-scale real estate transactions

While taking part in the work of each team, FIRE Fellows will also participate in robust educational and professional development programs, including speaker series, industry events, capstone projects, and more! Fellows will be introduced to topics covering business, real estate, and leadership fundamentals, while enhancing their experience with NYCEDC and the broader NYC real estate community.

Candidate Eligibility:

Here's what we're looking for in FIRE candidates:

• Self-motivated and eager candidates with a curiosity to learn and grow in real estate development
• Recent graduates (within 1-2 years) of a CUNY or SUNY undergraduate program. Graduates from a CUNY or SUNY associate degree program are also permitted to apply. Please see our FAQ page for further information.
• Candidates with one to two years of professional work experience (internship and/or full-time positions)
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree. Areas of study preferred: Asset Management, Real Estate Development, Economics, Public Policy, Economic Development, Architecture, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field 
• Must be able to work full-time (35 hours per week) at NYCEDC’s offices for the entirety of the 16-month program.

Application Timeline

• May 2, 2025: Application Opens
• June 2, 2025 : Application Closes
• June 2025: Preliminary Interviews
• July - August 2025: Department Interviews + Decisions
• September 15, 2025: Program Starts

Application Process

Complete applications include:

• Resume
• Cover letter

For your cover letter, be sure to answer the following questions:

• What about NYCEDC’s mission excites you the most?
• Why is the FIRE Fellowship Program the right next step for your career?
• What past experiences would set you apart from other candidates?
• What impact would you hope to make for New York City?

Not a fit? Check out our full-time positions.

Hear from our FIRE Fellows

We welcomed four City University of New York graduates to our 2023-2025 FIRE Fellowship cohort – Annelies De Jong, Coco Mong, Crystal Ng, and Stephen Jackson. Hear more about their experiences at EDC below.

Former Fellows on the Rise

Meet former fellows who are now in full-time roles at NYCEDC.