YPG Curriculum and Requirements

Application are now beiing accepted, deadline is March 14, 2025.

Learn more at a YPG Info Session!

For Future Leaders Who Want to be Involved in the Class
A NAIOP SoCal program that has received wide-acclaim and is being used as a model for other chapters nationwide, the Young Professionals Group (YPG) is now accepting applications for its 2025-26 class. If you are 35 years of age or under and interested in the opportunity to become involved in this outstanding program as a candidate. In that case, this workshop will provide you with first-hand knowledge from the YPG advisors who launched the program and from individual students about their experiences and the value the program delivers. You will learn about the criteria required, the curriculum, the fun and the rewards of this 12-month, 70-hour course.

Info sessions will be held in January for both Orange County and LA County, and an invite will be coming soon. If you are looking for more information, please reach out to the Selection Committee below.

Curriculum

Educate
Taught by industry leaders, each YPG educational session offers instruction in critical components of the commercial real estate industry. Each session is designed to immerse the YPG class in aspects of the business that will provide an essential background to their core real estate career objectives. Topics include land planning, development, construction, capital markets, architecture, engineering, asset management, brokerage and more.

Develop
The YPG class receives personal development guidance from an experienced course facilitator and guest instructors. Candidates will examine their personal strengths and areas of opportunity, and learn how to utilize this knowledge to cultivate success in both personal and professional environments.

Connect
Participation in YPG builds a peer group of young professionals from a range of real estate disciplines, providing a foundation of like-minded colleagues and access to critical resources that will serve the class throughout their careers.

Elevate
YPG students receive access to and training by key decision-makers in the real estate industry. These “career coaches” serve as role models and mentors, offering invaluable firsthand insight to students for their career growth. In addition, participants receive leadership training that will allow them to develop the key business skills necessary to ascend to leadership positions, not only within their respective firms but within the industry.

Requirements

YPG candidates are expected, in addition to the monthly scheduled class sessions, to devote several hours each month in preparation for case studies and participation in the program; the vast majority of that time is spent outside normal business hours. An initial retreat, which includes an orientation session and a team-building workshop, is held at the beginning stages of the program and attendance is mandatory.

Each YPG Candidate:

Must be a professional in the commercial real estate industry
Must be an active member in good standing of NAIOP SoCal Chapter to apply.
Must be 35 years of age or younger by December 2025. (Year of birth 1990 or later)
Must be willing to commit the time, resources and skills required for active involvement in the program including, but not limited to, attendance at all program events. Applicants must obtain explicit support of their employer for this commitment to YPG.
Must practice high standards of professional and personal integrity.
Must demonstrate leadership qualities and capabilities as well as positive attitudes.

Requirements for admission include:

Submission of the YPG application, including 1-page resume, to be reviewed and approved by YPG selection committee.
Active member in good standing of NAIOP SoCal Chapter.
Employer endorsement.
(2) recommendations written on the candidate's behalf - NAIOP SoCal member(s) preferred, but not mandatory.
The program fee is $4,750. The suggested payment amount from the company and the student is listed below.
- Company’s commitment of $3,750 corporate fee for each candidate accepted to the program.
- Student's commitment of $1,000 for the tuition.
Student's commitment to attend mandatory 2.5 day YPG Retreat, August 22-24, 2025.
Student's commitment to attend monthly educational sessions and networking events that are separate and apart from other NAIOP Corporate and NAIOP SoCal activities, with the understanding that if (2) educational sessions are missed, student will be expelled from YPG program.