From classroom to Career: How PRD and QUT Empower Future Property Professionals

Research has been at the core of PRD since day one. Research is in fact what the R in PRD stands for, and we're passionate about supporting the next generation of real estate professionals through our long-standing partnership with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

For over a decade, PRD has collaborated with QUT to offer students real-world experience through the PRD Research Internship Program. To win this, students must compete in the PRD Annual Market Analysis Competition, which puts students into the real world of property development. Working in teams, students analyse a designated site using real industry data we provide. Their challenge is to identify the most profitable and strategic use for the land.

This year’s competition focused on a site in South Brisbane. Teams conducted detailed market analyses and submitted their proposals, with top entries invited to present their findings at the PRD Corporate Head Office in Brisbane. The judging panel included PRD Chief Economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo, QUT Associate Professor Connie Susilawati, and the PRD Research Team.

The quality of work submitted was impressive, with both the winning team and finalists showcasing incredible talent. The winning team comprised of Allegra Majer-Smith, Charli Lyne, Franckie Wright, and Lily Sirovs, who now have the opportunity to join PRD as research interns, gaining valuable industry experience and mentorship. Many past winners have gone on to build successful careers at PRD.

“The internship provided me with the opportunity to hone my skills in property research and allowed me to gain hands on experience in the property industry. I loved my time as an intern and jumped at the opportunity to work there again when a position opened.” – Harriet Couchman-Frame (Social Media and Content Coordinator at PRD; 2024 Competition Winner)

The dedication and insightful analysis from both the winning team and the finalists demonstrate the exceptional talent emerging from QUT's property economics fields of study. Their success exemplifies the power of combining academic rigour with real-world industry experience.

This competition not only highlights the strength of QUT’s property economics program but also reinforces PRD’s commitment to nurturing talent through practical, hands-on learning. Their success exemplifies the power of combining academic rigour with real-world industry experience.