IREM looking to attract the younger generation.

Foreseeing a shortage of professional real estate managers in the near future, the Institute of Real Estate Management has launched a new initiative to attract the best and brightest young people to the real estate management profession by creating a membership category for undergraduate and graduate students attending an accredited college or university full time.

Elaborating on the need for the new program, IREM president Tony Smith, said: "We have created this new membership category because so many of our colleagues will retire soon and, separately, because of the ever-growing demand for professional real estate managers.

Through our outreach program, we have assumed a leadership role in capturing the interest of students and others who are making career decisions and encouraging them to consider real estate management as a career path. Moreover, we are pleased that an increasing number of colleges and universities are offering studies and degree programs in real estate management."

Student membership in IREM is $40 per academic year. The membership benefits package includes the following:

All member services on IREMFIRST, the organization's primary industry resource and information website, access to IREMJobs.org, the online IREM career and employment website, networking and professional development opportunities, including access to a local IREM chapter, listing as a student member in the IREM online directory, member discounts on a wide range of products and services including books, courses, conferences and seminars and a subscription to the IREM bi-monthly publication, Journal of Property Management, covering the latest trends in real estate management.

For more information on becoming a student member of IREM, including a downloadable membership application and brochure describing career opportunities in real estate management, visit the "Join IREM" section at www.irem.org.