One long weekend during the fall and spring semesters, Jerry S. Rawls College of Business real estate students step out of the classroom and extend their learning along the Texas highways as part of the Center for Real Estate’s (CRE) Industry Trip. During last spring and this fall’s three-day trips, a total of 24 students traveled to Ft. Worth and Houston, Texas, where they explored multiple real estate firms, met industry professionals, and learned valuable skills used in today’s commercial real estate industry.
Jared Harrell, associate professor of practice in finance and director of the CRE, coordinates and guides the trips and says they are a signature experience that students at other business schools may not have the opportunity to participate in.
“This trip is one of our most immersive experiences where students discuss topics with industry professionals that include investment sales, development, banking, brokerage, and public policy,” Harrell said. “They provide invaluable exposure, connections, and inspiration to both upperclassmen and underclassmen who are interested in engaging with real estate.”
Here, we share the perspectives of Harrell, students who attended the trips, and an alum working in the industry who helped make the trips successful.
Q: How does this trip benefit students? |
| A: Harrell - Designed to give students an idea of what working in real estate is like, this trip goes beyond exposure to career paths and firm cultures. Students gain confidence, sharpen their networking skills, and start to visualize where they might fit within the commercial real estate ecosystem. It’s an early launchpad for career development and it accelerates classroom learning through real-world context. |
| A: Culmer - Bridging classroom learning with the real-world practice of real estate, the connections made on this trip, specifically with those who could potentially be a future employer or internship contact, and the supportive setting to ask candid questions are invaluable. Of course, traveling and exploring the field together made the learning experience engaging and memorable. |
| A: Giles - This trip is super valuable for students because there is no replacement for meeting with people that do the work we want to do once we graduate. I didn’t really have much experience with real estate before this trip, and I feel I learned so much about how the whole industry works from the wealth of knowledge provided by large and small companies, developers, equity fund managers, full-service brokers, REIT managers, property managers, and senior living experts. |
| A: Webb - It gives them a kind of a flavor of all sorts, whether you want to be in development, finance, brokerage, third-party leasing, investment sales, or 1031 exchanges. Although students learn about these topics in the classroom, getting the chance to ask questions to industry professionals is invaluable. |
Q: What were highlights of the trip? |
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A: Harrell - Meeting privately with longtime friend Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. Having the opportunity to sit down with her for an open, candid conversation about the role of municipal government in the real estate development process was a rare privilege – not only for me, but for our students. We heard about strategic planning, infrastructure, and civic priorities, while receiving an insider’s view of how public policy and private development intersect in shaping a city’s future. 
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| A: Culmer - My favorite part was visiting Southside Bank. Beyond its chic, rustic design and stunning view of the city, what stood out most was learning how deeply involved the bank is in real estate beyond simply providing loans. It opened my eyes to the many ways the financial system can be used as a strategic tool in the industry. Also, meeting with Mayor Parker was a memorable experience that shifted my perspective on the importance of understanding how government policy acts as a long-term strategic advantage. |
| A: Giles - My personal highlight was talking and touring Sugarland with the developer, Don Jansen. He took us through the mixed-use development of the city center and explained the whole process to us, explaining the many different issues that would crop up like zoning and landscaping. Overall, it was amazing talking to someone that could explain every step of the process of buying land, working with the city, breaking ground, and all the challenges with that, and then managing the area until sale. |
| A: Webb - My favorite part of the experience was giving back to the next generation of Rawls students by sharing what I’ve learned during my 30 years of experience. It gives me satisfaction to be able to tell students what we [Rawls alumni] would've done differently when we got out of college and some of the avenues we would've taken. |
Q: Why did you participate in the experience? |
| A: Harrell - I take pride in the CRE and the opportunities it offers Rawls students. As director of the CRE, I view these trips as essential to our mission of connecting academic excellence with market-based practices. They allow me to guide students in real time, help them make sense of what they’re seeing, and foster relationships with industry partners who are vital to our program’s growth and impact. |
| A: Culmer - Students aren’t guaranteed to be picked to participate in this unique trip. The moment I found out I had been selected, I was incredibly excited and felt that Professor Harrell and the REO leaders had truly recognized my efforts. This trip was important to me to attend to deepen my exposure to the real estate landscape in the United States and build meaningful connections. |
| A: Giles - I really wanted to see if I had interest in a real estate career. I’m a senior finance major and since I haven’t had much experience working inside my chosen field, I figured it would be a good learning opportunity and a chance to dip my toes into the industry. |
| A: Webb - I am always open to helping Rawls College and its students, especially those interested in real estate. I felt it was important to meet with students and offer them advice and guidance, whether they were interested in working at Silver Oak or another firm. |
Q: How is this trip different from other programs at Texas Tech and Rawls College? |
| A: Harrell - It’s the depth and intentionality. We aren’t just doing office tours – we’re creating tailored, behind-the-scenes conversations with executives, city officials, and decision makers. We also combine public and private sector exposure, giving students a full spectrum of how deals are sourced, financed, approved, and executed. It’s a highly curated trip, with every moment designed to advance student learning. |
| A: Culmer - Every aspect of the trip is enjoyable while maintaining its educational foundation. This program is devised so that students at nearly any level can participate, ask questions, and even make mistakes without judgment. It encourages growth through real-world exposure. |
| A: Giles - The support from faculty like Professor Harrell is incredible and I feel that the Real Estate Organization is one of the best organizations on campus. From the very first meeting I attended this semester, it was clear that everyone in the group was passionate about real estate and my place in it. All the student officers wanted everyone to get involved and they really cared about my success. I went to Texas A&M for the first two years of my undergraduate degree and both there and here at Tech, I’ve never had the feeling like I’ve had with REO that everyone wants me to succeed. |
| A: Webb - Students get a flavor of multiple firms. Programs like these and the professors leading them have lasting impact on students who participate in the trip. |
Q: What were your key takeaways from the trip? |
| A: I consider this year’s trip to Fort Worth one of the most dynamic yet. The caliber of professionals who made time for our students was outstanding, and the students themselves were fully engaged — asking smart questions, taking notes, and representing Texas Tech with professionalism and curiosity. It reinforced why we do what we do at the center: equip students not just with knowledge, but with relationships and real-world perspective that will carry them into successful careers. |
| A: Culmer - The most important thing I learned was to never be afraid to ask questions, even if I felt inexperienced or intimidated. One piece of advice I want to share with future participants is to be both professional and personable. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; it shows genuine interest. That type of engagement often makes professionals even more willing to connect and be supportive. I also recognized that the industry professionals I met in Fort Worth specialized in different areas, which helped me to narrow down my interests and provided clarity for my intended concentration in my education and future career. |
| A: Giles - My biggest takeaway is that I want to pursue a career as a real estate
analyst. Without this trip, I wouldn’t have known this, and I would still be searching
for my desired career path. I’m very grateful to have been selected to attend and this trip is a great opportunity for students to connect with professionals that are in different stages of their career and to learn from them. |
| A: Webb - I will put the Rawls College of Business and our real estate alumni up against any other major university. We've got a beautiful business school that can entertain incoming students, and there are a lot of successful real estate companies that were formed by industry professionals that are Rawls graduates. I think that makes us very special. Rawls College has a strong alumni base that is always willing to help each other, and students. Silver Oak is willing to help again on any future trips, as well as with any student. Our doors are always open. |