People often ask me how I ended up in real estate with a Ph.D. in English Literature. Curiosity usually drives the question. Sometimes, though, they want to commiserate with me, as if to suggest that a career in real estate is an unworthy profession compared to a career in academia.

I couldn’t disagree more. And here’s why. 

In both professions, people’s futures are at stake. My work impacts the quality of someone’s life.

It’s easy to see how this outcome would be true in academia. And it is probably why I left. I worried about the real impact, if any, the courses I taught had on my students.

When I facilitate a real estate transaction, I have never (big word) wavered in my belief that my core task is to assist two sets of people in achieving a goal that will change their lives. 

The life goals of others matter to me. It’s the way I am wired. I will always (another big word) do the right thing for my clients. I love that I can make that statement unequivocally.

I took an oath when I became a real estate broker: I must set aside any self-interest when working with others in a real estate transaction. But I didn’t have to take an oath to be who I am.

Take good care,

Pier Rouleau