Amherst Summer Intern Spotlight – Max Li
2022 Summer Intern | Portfolio Management
Max Li lives and breathes real estate. The Cornell University student is studying real estate, pursuing a career in real estate finance and investment, and in his spare time is running Cornell’s Associate Real Estate Council. So joining The Amherst Group’s summer internship program to learn more about real estate portfolio management was an easy choice for this budding professional.
“I hope to learn how institutional investors think and work,” Li said when asked about his internship goals. “I also want to learn the strategies and thought processes Amherst uses to address market volatility.”
Li, who grew up outside Beijing, China, appreciates Amherst’s culture, which he describes as “dynamic, supportive, and sometimes intense.” His current workload offers him insights into data analysis, monthly distributions, and the equity waterfall model. Li says the chance to interact directly with the firm’s executive team has been impactful.
“Senior leaders are very approachable,” Li noted. “I participated in a team dinner with the Head of Investment Management and had an intern lunch with the Head of Merchant Banking. I’ve learned a lot by having thoughtful conversations with the smartest minds in the industry.”
Becoming acquainted professionally and personally with other summer interns was a plus for Li, who moved to Amherst’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, without knowing anyone in the city.
“I became friends with other interns. Since we are all sharing similar career goals, I believe we will work with each other in the future in different ways” Li surmised.
Li learned of Amherst’s summer internships through a friend who participated in the 2021 program. He advises participants to be curious and connect with individuals in other departments for a holistic view of the business.
“Amherst is growing very fast,” Li remarked. “The data-driven way we approach real estate is different from more traditional real estate investment shops. At Amherst, we put residents first and are guided not only by our real estate experience but by our capital markets expertise.”
Whatever is next for Li professionally or personally, he knows his Amherst experience has made a difference.
