Uniting for excellence | Shane O’Connor
Shane O’Connor was blindsided by a testicular cancer diagnosis that ended his service in the Navy. After time to explore what he wanted to do with his future, the Nathan S. Collier Master of Science in Real Estate program at the Warrington College of Business was the next step.
O’Connor grew up in Kansas City before attending the United States Naval Academy, where he received his undergraduate degree in international relations in 2009. His father works on the real estate side of commercial banking, and the real estate world always intrigued him. After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki while on deployment, O’Connor says “something clicked” that helped him pursue his passion for real estate. He even acquired rental properties while on duty.
“I knew I wanted to learn how to play the bigger game,” O’Connor said. “That’s what led me here.”
The Nathan S. Collier Master of Science in Real Estate program has played an important role in preparing O’Connor for life as a real estate professional. While learning in the program, his passion for the industry has only grown.
“You can have a tremendous impact on a community,” O’Connor said. “The way we build and design real estate and places that we live in now can have a tremendous impact on how well we know each other and how we treat each other.”
The program has also allowed O’Connor to network with peers and build relationships with other professionals in the industry.
“I have been blown away with the quality of people that I’ve been around in my program,” O’Connor said. “I’ve 100% felt part of a community and a family.”
Learn more about how Business Gators like you are finding their home at UF Warrington.
