Experiential Learning

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is the global trade association of the marketplace industry and features over 70,000 members in 100 countries. The Blackwood Department of Real Estate selects a few students to join them at the conference during the spring semester. This provides students with an advantageous networking opportunity that could help them land internships and jobs in the industry.

The Blackwood Board Meeting occurs every fall and spring of the academic year. The industry advisory board meets to discuss the curriculum and fundraising of the Blackwood Department of Real Estate. The board meeting is an opportunity for students to become more involved with the innerworkings of the program and to make valuable connections with industry professionals. 

The Blackwood Department of Real Estate participates in various real estate competitions throughout the year, including the Mulroy Real Estate Challenge. At this event, hosted by the Villanova School of Business, students from the top undergraduate real estate programs compete in a  case competition which incorperates all aspects of developemnt from financing to design. Virginia Tech placed first in 2022, and looks forward to the upcoming competition. This is an exciting opportunity for students to test their skills and learn real world applications of their degree.

Students can join a study abroad trip to diversify their perspective in real estate. Understanding how real estate functions globally can be critical to understanding real estate in the work force. Students can choose a real estate specific study abroad trip, or choose one of Pamplin's other options.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) is the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world. Their annual fall meeting consists of interactive sessions, roundtables and structured networking sessions and is attended by several thousand leadres in the real estate and land use industry. The Blackwood Department of Real Estate selects a few students to attend this incredible networking opportunity during the fall semester. Nintey-four percent of attendees report making a valuable connection with one or more industry professionals. Connections from the ULI Fall Meeting have the potential to lead to exciting careers and internships.