Hard work pays off and this year’s graduating real estate appraisal and assessment (REAA) class can vouch for that.

More than 70 per cent of REAA business administration graduates this year secured full-time positions in this industry before they graduated at the end of May.

“We are seeing record demand from employers where a lot of organizations are now coming to campus to complete their interviews with students to make sure they get the student that is the best fit for them before they are hired by someone else,” says Ken Rutherford, REAA program head and instructor.

For Vanessa Creasy, a member of the REAA Class of 2025 and generational alumna, the two-year diploma program was fulfilling from start to finish. In addition to completing her studies at the Lloydminster campus, Creasy gained valuable hands-on experience in appraisal and assessment through the School of Business’ 14-week co-op internship program.

“The program is intense but it’s very rewarding in the end,” says Creasy, who successfully started a full-time position with her co-op employer, the Wainwright Assessment group, several weeks before her convocation ceremony at the end of May.

“It feels like such an accomplishment to complete this and be proud of the effort you put in.”

From her early interest in interior design to browsing Realtor.com and exploring property features, Creasy says her passion for real estate perfectly aligns with her education in the REAA program.

“We look at the history of the house, things that have happened to the house over the years that have affected the value, what’s behind the walls and how the house has changed. You get to discover what actually brings value to a house versus what’s just pretty in a picture,” she says.

“I definitely think it’s my forever career.”

Excited for the success of his graduating class, Rutherford says the demand for REAA professionals never wanes and the median starting salaries continue to rise.

“It’s in demand year-round. Whether the economy is strong or soft, every property needs a value put on it for taxation purposes every year,” he says. “We’re also seeing more people retire from the industry and our population is growing, so there’s a consistent demand for our graduates.”

 

Photos: Vanessa Creasy, Class of 2025, is putting her education into action with the Wainwright Assessment group. She successfully started her career with them several weeks before her convocation ceremony in 2025.