Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career?
My passion for real estate development surfaced after graduating from college while I was working in commercial banking. In this position, I developed core skills in financial analysis and customer relations while exploring potential careers. This overview served as a catalyst for my industry switch as I discovered then that real estate would allow me to have a direct, tangible impact on my community. I began networking and soon was offered the unique opportunity to join a prestigious Project Manager training program at a national homebuilder.
From the beginning, the program covered the full scope of real estate development. I rotated through several areas, with significant exposure in land acquisition and development, sales, marketing, construction and accounting. I consistently completed each rotation with distinction, demonstrating my ability to lead others, multi-task, and remain poised in stressful situations. Because of my performance and ability to grasp multiple disciplines, I was promoted and became one of the youngest Project Managers at 24 years old.
As a Project Manager, I essentially operate as the CEO of my own venture with the backing of one of America’s largest homebuilders. Initially, this position was challenging with its steep learning curve, rigorous work schedule and high level of responsibility. I quickly adapted to the new role proving that I can operate a project profitably as well as launch a new project successfully. At our Grand Opening, we reached our first month projections by the end of the first day through a well-orchestrated marketing and sales campaign. Like many startup CEOs, I have had to improvise and self-teach along the way. Being responsible for the entire operation has thrust me into unfamiliar situations, such as when I found myself renegotiating contracts the first week. The solution was not in the manuals I pored over during the training program, so I had to be creative with my approach. Consequently, I was excited to learn about the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship on my recent campus visit. I believe the Polsky Center and the exposure to other future entrepreneurs will nurture my entrepreneurial spirit and, through its classes, strengthen my capacity to lead a new venture.
My project management experience has affirmed my belief that I want to continue in this industry and assisted in clarifying my career vision. After I earn my MBA, I plan to work for a real estate investment trust (REIT) as a development manager in commercial real estate and broaden my exposure to other areas of real estate finance including market research, terms negotiation and transaction structuring. Along with an MBA, this position will allow me to build upon my experiences to fully realize my dreams and effectively pursue my long term career goal of launching a multi-faceted development firm in the Midwest.
Attending Chicago now will allow me to build upon the fundamental skills I have developed and facilitate this transition. Developing a well-rounded background will be essential for my future entrepreneurial pursuits. With Chicago’s flexible curriculum, I will be able to accomplish this by tailoring my education to critical areas. Chicago’s reputation in finance and economics precedes itself and is an important selection criterion for me. I will enrich my financial expertise and operational know-how through the available coursework, learning new finance techniques as well as how to evaluate market risk, economics and industry trends.
Outside of the scholastic opportunities, the proximity to the city and the access to real estate professionals in Chicago is a valuable resource. With the alumni’s growing influence I will be able to leverage their expertise and experiences to jump start my own career vision. The power of networking and alumni groups has been evident throughout my career. My first job offer came through a contact I developed at an alumni event, and my subsequent move to the national homebuilder was spurred along by a mentor. On my campus visit, a leader of the Real Estate Group spoke about how active the members are and the benefits he has derived from participating in the group. With my past experiences, I am excited to share my knowledge with the group and take an active leadership role in it to expand my career opportunities. Through my Project Manager position, I have proven that I can persevere through both strong and weak markets. My unique experiences in real estate operations and management will allow me to bring a fresh perspective to the student body, and I look forward to contributing as a leader inside and outside of the classroom.