23 Jul Week 1: Alessia’s First Day at Miller Diversified – More Than Just an Internship
Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes
From Daydreaming to Putting in the Hard Work
By: Alessia Morante
Before I ever stepped foot into Miller Diversified, my interest in real estate started in the most casual way, curled up on the couch with my dad, watching Fixer Upper, Property Brothers, and every HGTV renovation show we could find. I was hooked. Something about taking a forgotten space and turning it into something beautiful and valuable just lit a spark in me. I used to daydream about flipping houses, drawing out floor plans in my notebook, and imagining before-and-after reveals.
As I got older, those casual show binges turned into deeper conversations. I grew up in a very business-minded household—my dad and I were constantly swapping ideas, talking about ventures we wanted to try, and dreaming big. Eventually, I watched him start to turn those dreams into reality. He began investing in commercial buildings, and slowly but surely, I watched his business expand. I saw the risk, the planning, and the payoff—and I admired all of it. That’s when I knew: I didn’t just want to watch real estate happen. I wanted to take part in it.
Since then, I’ve pursued that goal step-by-step—majoring in Finance, minoring in Real Estate at Ohio State, and jumping at any chance to gain experience. Which brings me here.
Joining the Miller Diversified Team
This week, I officially started my internship with Miller Diversified, and it was everything I hoped it would be.
When I walked in on my first day, I was brought into the tail-end of a team meeting. Emma, the receptionist and now friend, greeted me with a huge smile and walked me into the room. I was a little nervous to be interrupting, but the moment I sat down and was introduced to the team, all that nervous energy disappeared. I was welcomed with warm handshakes and kind faces. That initial moment really set the tone for the rest of the day and what I expect this whole experience will be like.
After the meeting, I sat down with Jerry Miller, my supervisor and third generation owner of Miller Diversified, and we went over my schedule and upcoming tasks. He mentioned that with Emma going on vacation next week, that I could take on more hours and I of course said yes! Then came a tour of the office, which was one of my favorite parts of the day. I got to meet everyone across the different divisions: brokerage, property management, investment, development, construction, finance, leasing, and HR. I loved seeing the full scope of what a real estate company can do. And it didn’t hurt that everyone had a good sense of humor, especially during the ongoing Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry jokes. As an OSU student, I did my best at holding my ground.
Emma later walked me through her front desk responsibilities, answering phones, handling mail, and managing day-to-day logistics, and it gave me a great opportunity to meet more people. Staff would stop by to greet me, crack jokes, and make me feel part of the team. It was one of those rare moments where you really feel the culture of a place: supportive, light-hearted, and collaborative. It didn’t feel like work, it felt like I was joining the team.
Later in the afternoon, Jerry gave me a rundown of future projects:
- Observing a property inspection
- Posting maintenance QR codes at several properties
- Listening in on leasing and closing appointments
- Updating mailing lists
- Learning how to inspect listings
- Joining him for a late afternoon bank meeting
But my main task for the day was creating an Excel sheet to compare asphalt quotes from four different companies. Before I got too far into it, Jerry invited me to observe a real-life discussion about a potential tenant who wanted to open a business, but the property wasn’t up to code for the client’s needs and the changes required would be very costly. It was eye-opening to see how real estate decisions aren’t just about filling space—they’re about strategic fit, financial sense, and long-term impact.
After that, we hopped on a call with Miller Diversified’s marketing team and we brainstormed ways I could contribute. That’s when the idea for this blog series was born! The marketing director suggested I share my weekly experiences to give others an inside look into commercial real estate. And I couldn’t say no, it felt like the perfect way to document everything I’m learning.
Back at my desk, I finished the Excel sheet just in time to head to the bank meeting with Jerry and Chris, our sales associate. I did my best to follow along and soak it all in, although I will admit I did get lost in the terminology a couple times. Once we returned, Jerry reviewed my Excel sheet and asked what I thought about the different quotes. I gave him my take, which he appreciated, but he also showed me how to think a level deeper: What exactly is included in each quote? How much will they charge depending on the amount of asphalt? Are there hidden costs or extra value? It reminded me that in business, the first answer is rarely the final one. Asking questions can reveal better deals.
Takeaway of the Week:
Commercial real estate is about relationships, strategy, and asking the right questions. And sometimes, it’s the conversations you observe—not just the tasks you complete—that teach you the most. Real estate isn’t just numbers—it’s strategy, negotiation, and insight.
I’m beyond excited to keep learning and growing with Miller Diversified. If you’re someone who’s ever been curious about commercial real estate, stick around, I’ll be sharing what I learn each week and what makes this industry so dynamic.
Until next time,
– Alessia