Name: Courtney Blackburn
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergrad Insitution/Major: Purdue University/Building Construction Management
Pre-MBA Job: Project Engineer for a Construction Management Firm
MBA Concentration: Real Estate Finance/Development
Welcome to the Texas MBA Student Blog and thanks for stopping by! My name is Courtney Blackburn and I am a first year student in the Class of 2013. I graduated from Purdue University in 2008 and moved back to my hometown of Houston, Texas to work in the construction industry.
During my time at Gilbane Building Company, I was exposed to some great projects. I started out on an interior renovation of a 30 story office building, and then spent the next two years on the construction of a huge new high school out in the suburbs of Houston. After three great years at Gilbane, I decided it was time to pursue my MBA to take my career into the direction of Real Estate Development.
The thought of going to business school was originally terrifying. My background in accounting, statistics, finance, and the like was very minimal (or should I say nonexistent?) Now, I couldn’t be happier that I made the decision to come to McCombs. I was born and raised a Longhorns fan, I think Austin is quite possibly the coolest city in America, and I am practically star-struck by the intelligence and professional backgrounds of my classmates. Despite “drinking from a fire hose” during this first semester (you’ll hear that phrase a LOT), I’m still having the absolute time of my life.
I’m excited to share my experiences with you all as I spend the next two years of my life here at McCombs. I read this blog when I was an applicant, and I would highly encourage others to do so as well. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions at Courtney.blackburn@mba13.mccombs.utexas.edu and I will be happy to help in any way that I can.
Best of luck to all prospective students, and Hook ‘em horns!
Hi Courtney! I have thought of going back to study but this time in human psychology. I was in real estate and customer service although I studied accounting. Your post brings me inspiration even if in the end I don’t go back to my studies! lol
Wishing you the best in everything!