Lee & Associates’ Pennsylvania offices are using a research-led internship program to give students direct exposure to the data, relationships, and real-world experience that shape commercial real estate.

Commercial real estate is a relationship business, but informed conversations depend on strong market intelligence. Across Lee & Associates’ Pennsylvania offices, that belief is shaping an internship program designed to give students a practical introduction to the industry.

Now in its third year, Lee & Associates’ Research Internship Program has become a structured, hands-on experience that gives students a broader view of commercial real estate. The program is research-led, but not limited to research. Interns work with the firm’s Research team while also gaining exposure to marketing, operations, brokerage, site visits, sales meetings, training sessions, and external industry partners.

This summer, Lee & Associates’ Pennsylvania offices welcomed two research interns: Cooper Manley, a rising senior at Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business, and Lindsey Napoli, a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Cooper is based in the firm’s Central Pennsylvania office, while Lindsey is based in the Suburban Philadelphia office in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

Both interns are supporting markets across Pennsylvania through research and data initiatives that will contribute to the firm’s broader market intelligence platform.

“Our goal is to develop future leaders who understand that commercial real estate is bigger than any one role,” said Heather Kreiger, CCIM, Principal and Regional Research & Marketing Director at Lee & Associates. “Research is an incredible entry point because it touches every part of the business. It teaches students how to look at a market, understand the data, ask better questions, and see how brokers and clients use that intelligence to make decisions.”

For Lee & Associates’ Pennsylvania offices, research is a core differentiator. The team’s guiding philosophy is simple: We’re serious about data. Data drives decision-making. The firm’s research platform tracks and analyzes buildings, tenants, demand, development activity, construction, market trends and submarket performance to help brokers and clients make recommendations based on actual data.

That focus has earned broader recognition. At the 2026 Lee Summit, Lee & Associates’ Pennsylvania research team was recognized as one of the top offices in the North American platform for Research Excellence.

The internship program is designed to bring students into that work while also showing them the many ways commercial real estate careers can take shape. Interns are introduced to research fundamentals, data sourcing, reporting, market analysis, brokerage support, investment concepts, and technology development. They spend time with brokers and staff across departments to better understand how deals, data, relationships, and market knowledge intersect. They also spend time with partner organizations connected to the broader commercial real estate ecosystem, including firms in engineering, finance, environmental consulting and economic development.

For Cooper, who is studying real estate at Penn State, the program offers a chance to connect classroom learning with real market activity.

“My internship this summer has given me the opportunity to gain a hands-on experience and learn how commercial real estate works beyond the classroom.” said Cooper Manley. “Through market research, site visits, and working with experienced professionals, I have gained a better understanding of how the industry operates and how research supports decision-making. It has been a valuable experience that will give me a strong foundation for my future career in commercial real estate.”

Lindsey, who studies organization management at UNC Charlotte and is active with ULI in Charlotte, brings a business-focused perspective and an interest in learning how the different pieces of the industry fit together.

“A big takeaway from this internship has been seeing how much research and market analysis goes into every commercial real estate decision.” said Lindsey Napoli. “It has given me a better understanding of how research and data is turned into real life decisions, which has reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in the industry.”

As Lee & Associates continues to build out its Research Internship Program across the state, the firm sees the effort as both a talent development initiative and an investment in the future of the commercial real estate industry. By giving students meaningful exposure to all aspects of the CRE industry, the program helps interns build a practical foundation while helping the firm identify and develop the next generation of CRE professionals.

“We are looking for students who are curious, detail-oriented and willing to engage,” Kreiger said. “The best interns are the ones who have an interest in commercial real estate and want to understand why the data, systems, and processes matter. That curiosity is what helps them turn information into insights.”

Students interested in future Research Internship Program opportunities with Lee & Associates’ Pennsylvania offices are encouraged to click the link below or contact Heather Kreiger for additional information.

About Lee & Associates

Lee & Associates is a leading commercial brokerage firm serving Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. Our offices in Pittsburgh, Central Pennsylvania and Suburban Philadelphia provide full-service expertise across industrial, office, retail, land and investment sales. With a strong local presence and a national platform, our team brings market intelligence, strategic guidance and deep-rooted relationships to every assignment.