Blinn alum combines passion for business and real estate in pursuit of big dreams
Blinn's Business and Real Estate Programs equip students with transferable skills to succeed in a variety of fields
February 25, 2020
Marble Falls native Josh Robles came to the Blinn College District in Fall 2014 in search of his future. He found it when his real estate marketing class ignited an entrepreneurial spark.
With a plan to take his core classes and transfer to a four-year institution, Robles dabbled in agricultural science and economics, but decided they were not the right fit. After taking a real estate marketing class with Professor Justin Nobles, who heads Blinn’s Real Estate Program, something clicked and Robles wanted to learn more.
“I remember thinking, this is something I’m really interested in,” Robles said. “I approached Professor Nobles and told him I wanted to take the Texas Real Estate Licensing Exam. What do I need to do?”
With Nobles’ guidance, Robles completed Blinn’s 16-credit-hour Real Estate Certificate while pursuing his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Administration and Management. The mentorship Robles received came full circle when he began working as an associate realtor for Nobles’s company, Nobles Realty Group, upon passing his Real Estate Licensing Exam.
“Josh is an asset to our team and has a passion for helping his clients. He has acquired skills that set him up for success as a realtor in any region of Texas,” Nobles said. “Blinn’s program is a great resource for students and professionals like Josh, who have a drive for the industry and want fast-paced training that can help them jumpstart their careers.”
Blinn’s Real Estate Program provides the groundwork for students interested in pursuing a career in real estate and helps those already employed in the industry sharpen their skills. Available through face-to-face or online coursework, the program can be completed in as little as one semester or while pursuing other majors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national demand for real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow 7% between 2018 and 2028, with a median pay of $50,300 per year.
For Robles, the story does not end with real estate in the Bryan/College Station area. Upon completing his associate degree, he realized he had the credits and courses necessary to earn his Small Business Management Certificate, also offered through Blinn’s Business Program. He hopes to take the knowledge he gained in both real estate and small business management and apply it to an even bigger venture. Within the year, he plans to return to the Marbles Falls area, continue working for the Nobles Realty Group, which also represents properties in Central Texas, and develop several small business ventures on a portion of the land his family owns in the area.
“My family is excited and supportive of my ideas,” Robles said. “I feel like I have the tools and preparation necessary to go home and purse my real estate career, while also working on these other projects that represent my passion for establishing a successful small business.”
Offered completely online as well as in-person at Blinn’s Brenham and Bryan campuses, the Business Program provides students multiple tracks that provide the training and skills to succeed in a variety of fields. From associate degrees to certificates, students emerge prepared to embark on rewarding careers or transfer to bachelor’s degree programs at four-year institutions.
Blinn’s business associate degree options are unique because of the College’s involvement in the RELLIS Academic Alliance. Students interested in continuing their education beyond the associate degree level can seamlessly transfer to bachelor’s degree programs offered at the RELLIS Campus. This partnership between Blinn and the Texas A&M System regional universities includes a Bachelor of Business Administration degree option from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in business and finance are expected to grow 7% between 2018 and 2028, creating an additional 591,800 jobs nationwide. Texas ranks among the top states in the nation in business and finance employment, with employees in the state earning an average of $77,480 per year.
As his plans take shape, Robles credits his time at Blinn for giving him a career purpose and inspiring him to dream big.
“Blinn’s Real Estate and Business programs helped me determine a career path. I enjoy being able to assist people in achieving their dreams of buying their first home while also achieving my dreams of growing my business,” Robles said. “Overall, Blinn is just a great school that offers many associate degree programs for students who have goals they want to achieve.”
To learn more about all the options available through Blinn’s Business and Real Estate Programs, visit www.blinn.edu/business or www.blinn.edu/real-estate.
