Texas MBAs Talk

Hometown: Chico, CA
Undergrad: Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
B.S. - Agri-Business
B.A. - Political Science
Minor - Economics
Pre-MBA Job: Retail Real Estate Development
MBA Concentration: Management

Hi there - My name is Dirk Hallen and I’m one of the bloggers for the Class of 2011 at the McCombs School of Business. Originally from Chico, California, I attended college at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo where I studied Agri-Business and Political Science. Before heading back to B-School, I worked as the President of a boutique real estate development firm for over two years, specializing in retail development in Northern California for companies such as Kohl’s and Walgreen’s. Prior to that, I spent four years in Colorado working in campaign politics, where I eventually managed campaigns at the gubernatorial and Congressional level.

When I decided to pursue my MBA, I wanted a program that excelled in multiple disciplines, attracting a student body with varied backgrounds and interests. Additionally, I really wanted to attend a program that was known for a sense of collaboration, teamwork and community, where I knew I would not be just another number. Lastly, I wanted to make sure the opportunity existed for experiential learning opportunities where I could put the knowledge learned in the class room to work in a real world setting. When I looked at the programs that fit these criteria, McCombs stood out to me amongst other top programs in all these areas. When I finally got a chance to interact with the students and faculty during my visit to McCombs, it was obvious Texas was the right fit for me. After spending a couple nights in Austin during that trip, it was tough for me to see myself going anywhere else (Let’s be real: Could there be a better place to spend two years? )

Outside of McCombs, I can be found attending every concert I can fit in, hitting the gym, roaming the aisles of the flagship Whole Foods store, taking in Austin’s nightlife, consuming as much BBQ as I can and talking about how the Longhorn football team is going to win the National Championship this year to anyone who will listen.