A group of young Jack Conway Realtors from Quincy to New Bedford gathered for an informal networking session recently at Conway Headquarters in Norwell. Sales agents, managers and staff in their 20s, 30s and 40s came together as part of the company’s new “after hours” Conway Young Professional Network.
“The idea is modeled on an effort going on at the state and national level to support young people in the real estate profession,” said Conway Director of Education and Agent Services Christopher Haraden, 40. “The networking sessions are open to everyone, regardless of age, but we are hoping to provide younger Realtors with some specific tips on how to succeed in our business and how to serve the people in their age groups who are buying and selling houses.”
The Young Professional Network allowed agents to share ideas and make suggestions to Conway management on support systems they might need. “The ideas brought up at the meeting centered mostly on the newer Realtors’ desire for in-office mentors,” said Helen Shiner, 44, manager of Conway’s Quincy Office. “They were asking to work with more experienced colleagues who would coach them until they felt comfortable going it alone. A mentor would accompany the new agents on listing appointments, show them how to access and fill out forms, and enable them to see the real estate business in practice instead of just in theory.”
Al Becker, 40, Conway’s Director of Marketing, hosted the session along with Haraden, and discussed the many prospecting methods available to new agents to generate buyer and seller leads. “We had an agenda but the session was primarily social,” said Becker. “We networked and just listened to people sharing ideas about issues affecting younger Realtors. Attendees were able to connect with one another in a peer support group and receive the guidance of older, more experienced agents within our company.”
Darrin Wahlberg, 38, a new Realtor at Conway-Scituate, attended the first Young Professional Network meeting and plans to go again. “It was a good chance to meet with people my age and younger who represented the broad spectrum of Conway offices,” said Wahlberg. “We talked about mentoring, marketing, social media and many other topics. I’m looking forward to the next session.”
Conway CEO Carol Bulman was appointed chief executive officer of the 42-office family-owned firm when her father Jack Conway turned 86 in 2009. “My Dad has always had confidence in the talents and abilities of young people,” said Bulman.
“He started this company when he was only 32 years old, and working mothers made up a large portion of his early sales force. It’s exciting to see how many people are entering the real estate profession today as their first career and our Young Professional Network will help them to succeed.”
If you’re interested in joining Conway & Company as a Young Professional, contact Conway Director of Education and Agent Services, Christopher Haraden and learn more about Jack Conway & Co,’s award-winning Real Estate School.
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