IndustryAdvocate
The official publication of the TAA education foundation
College to career: An unexpected second career
M
eet Brant Bomar, a recent University of
North Texas (UNT) graduate who has
found a second career in the rental housing industry.
Bomar, who is originally from Houston, was
raised in Denton and has lived in Carrollton for
nearly 30 years. His first career was in real estate
finance, and he returned to UNT to finish his
degree. After being exposed to the rental housing industry through courses in
Residential Property Management (RPM), Bomar discovered
an unexpected second career
that suits him perfectly.
TAA staff got to talk briefly
with Bomar about his experience
at UNT and his work in the industry:
Q: How did you get interested
in your particular field? What
led to your interest in property
management?
A: My initial interest in real estate began when choosing a degree plan in Real Estate Finance
at UNT in the late 70s/early 80s.
Dr. John Baen was my professor then and is still
there today. While my career in real estate finance began in 1983, I began seeking a way to
transition into the multihousing industry at the
beginning of 2010. My re-enrollment at UNT
and the RPM (Residential Property Management) program is directly responsible for raising
my level of interest in property management. I
was one of 14 students selected and sponsored
by UNT to attend the Texas Apartment Association Conference last year in Houston, and
that’s when the proverbial “light bulb” came on
and my interest peaked. At the conference, we
were personally introduced to the TAA Education Foundation Board of Directors, as well as to
many other property management owners and
managers.
The conference was a professional event with
thousands of people in attendance, and more
than 300 vendor booths were set up and fully
staffed. I learned a lot about the Education Foundation, which is well supported
by TAA member companies.
This provided enough proof for
me that I had found an industry
that was alive and well.
Q: Are you currently working
in the rental housing industry?
If so, tell us about your job.
A: I am employed as a leasing
professional at MC Companies.
I represent a community in Carrollton. My involvement with
UNT’s RPM program is directly
responsible for this employment
opportunity and my successful
transition into the business.
Q: How do you think your academic studies
prepared you for working in the industry? Do
you think what you learned in college is relevant to you on the job?
A: I believe UNT’s RPM program and related
courses are specifically relevant to what I do on
a day-to-day basis. In particular, J.B. Durham’s
property management class provides detailed
instruction relating to the day-to-day activities
involved in property management.
Creating tomorrow’s
multifamily leaders.
IndustryAdvocate
The official publication of the TAA education foundation
Second career - cont.
Q: Are there any professors who particularly
inspired you to get into the rental housing industry? If so, how?
A: Definitely. Professors Baen, J.B. Durham,
Mike Braswell and Tom Terrell, as well as the
FIREL staff and other RPM students at UNT,
have been most supportive of me and my desire
to transition into the industry. It is my belief and
experience that when you go on campus, go to
class, visit with professors, staff, personnel etc.,
they actually listen and will tell you what you
need to know versus what you want to hear. You
get a feeling that they are dedicated to your success. I was provided names of companies and
contact information to directly send my information to, one of which hired me. Resumes coming
from UNT’s RPM program are actually looked at
and taken seriously. How many other industries
can you say that about? I’d like to emphasize that
my second career opportunity would NOT have
happened without this support.
Q: What do you see yourself doing in five
years? 10 years?
A: I look forward to learning in various positions within the industry and to earning my way
into a management role, either on a single property or at the multi-site level. I also plan to be
involved with NAA, TAA and local chapters and
to give back to this industry
Q: What advice do you have for others interested in this field?
A: Stay focused. Know the difference between
a job and a career. Learn it from the ground up.
Enroll and/or complete UNT’s RPM program.
Volunteer with industry trade associations like
TAA, NAA and local chapters. Earn your designations.
Q: How do you see the business changing in the
foreseeable future?
A: I see an increasing population of people becoming eligible and/or possessing the desire to
rent versus own. This is due in part to an increasing
desire for low-maintenance lifestyles, budget constraints, the current economy and the realization
that homeownership is not as good an investment
as it once was. Everyone needs a roof over their
heads, but not everyone can afford and/or wants
homeownership. More and more communities are
being designed to provide full-service amenities to
their residents so that they rarely have to leave the
community.
Q: How has your interaction with the TAA Education Foundation shaped your view of the industry? Your plans for the future?
A: I’m just getting started in the industry, so my
interaction is limited. What I have observed is a
high level of professionalism, which goes a long
way in demonstrating the character and backbone
of the industry. The dedication of the TAA Education Foundation is amazingly impressive. Students
interested in this profession who are currently enrolled or plan to enroll in UNT’s RPM program
will have great opportunities for employment.
I know that my second career opportunity would
not have happened without UNT’s RPM program.
I plan on committing myself to this industry and
want to become involved with the TAA Education
Foundation. My experience, overall appreciation
of UNT, it’s RPM program and the support I have
received makes me a walking, talking example of
what the effort is all about. I am very thankful for
this opportunity.
Creating tomorrow’s
multifamily leaders.