Colliers Internship Jumpstarts UA Little Rock Student’s Future
From touring warehouses in the Port of Little Rock to reviewing commercial lease agreements and scouting potential business locations, University of Arkansas at Little Rock student Ryan Gillenwater spent his summer learning that commercial real estate is anything but a desk job: his experience offered a front-row seat to the fast-paced world he had only studied in the classroom.
This June, Gillenwater was one of just seven interns selected for Colliers’ month-long summer internship program in Little Rock. Earning a spot in the program was a turning point in his academic and professional journey. He hadn’t imagined this path when he first arrived on campus as a business management major, but a presentation by real estate instructor Elizabeth Small introduced him to a career he hadn’t previously considered.
“Ryan’s enthusiasm for the commercial real estate profession is very exciting,” Small said. “Conversing with him about his Colliers experience leaves me with no doubt of his future success in the industry. Ryan is a great student and has a natural quest for learning. The Finance Real Estate program in the School of Business is lucky to have him as an enthusiastic and excellent student.”
A rising junior majoring in finance with a concentration in real estate, Gillenwater’s internship with Colliers revealed just how many directions the field can take. He spent time with teams in brokerage, property management, and development, gaining a close-up look at everything from property inspections to the complexities of commercial transactions. Each day provided a new perspective, and seeing how different roles work together in the industry deepened his appreciation for the field.
“Site selection was definitely my favorite. We’d work on picking the best spots for companies looking to develop, whether it was land, an old building, or a new location,” he said. “That internship definitely assured me that I was doing the right thing.”
Beyond introducing him to different aspects of the industry, the internship reinforced concepts – from real estate to finance – he had been covering in his classes, which became practical tools he relied on throughout his experience. For example, having recently completed a real estate law course, he already understood much of the language and legal concepts he encountered reviewing commercial lease agreements, giving him confidence to contribute to professional conversations. As the internship progressed, those classroom lessons continued to develop into real-world experiences.
The internship didn’t just expand Gillenwater’s knowledge of commercial real estate—he was able to zero in on where he thrives, discovering that brokerage offered just the right mix of a field where he could put his analytical mind to work while building relationships and closing deals.
“The internship definitely assured me that I was pursuing the right thing,” Gillenwater said. “It’s made me want to keep expanding my network, and it’s definitely made me want to focus on commercial real estate as my career.”
As he reflects on his journey, Gillenwater credits changing majors and embracing new opportunities with helping him discover his career path. He emphasizes that some of the most valuable lessons in college happen outside the classroom — through internships, networking, and saying yes to new experiences. For students considering their own next steps, he encourages them to take chances on opportunities that spark their interest, since those moments often open unexpected doors and lead to the connections and clarity that shape a future.
“One thing I always like to say is, what you put into it is what you get out of it,” Gillenwater said. “It’s all about having that interest in wanting to do the things you’re required to do in college. The more you do that, the more you’ll reap the benefits.”
Looking ahead to his junior year, Gillenwater feels more motivated than ever. The knowledge and experience he gained during his internship provided added confidence as he begins his upper-level real estate courses. He hopes to return to Colliers as a second-year intern next summer, building on the foundation he established this summer.