Like many different industries, it is unusual for people to stick around at the same commercial real estate firm, especially at the beginning of their careers. This does not seem to be the case at the New York City-based Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, where three of its principals, Patrick Hanlon, Shawn Rosenthal and Russell Schildkraut, have not only spent more than 10 years each, but where they all began their real estate finance careers. In a recent conversation with GlobeSt.com, the three discussed the culture created by Simon Ziff, the firm's president, and explained why they have remained at the company. They also took time to muse about their beginnings in the industry and what advice they would give to young people seeking a long-term career in commercial real estate, something they all believe they have found at Ackman-Ziff.

GlobeSt.com: How did you get involved in the real estate industry?

Russell Schildkraut: My family owns a small real estate company, so I knew I always wanted to be in the business. I started with an accounting firm in the real estate industry, and I owned some real estate and went to NYU at night for their Masters of Real Estate. There I met a professor, who recently passed away unfortunately. He suggested I contact Ackman-Ziff and he introduced me to Simon. I went to a networking event that night, and I was literally working at AZ a week later and have been here ever since.