An Interview with Management Student, Jonas Dyer

Tell us about your career path?

My career path started early in 2014 as an assistant tennis coach for tennis pro, Greg Failla, at after-school tennis clinics at the San Vicente Resort. During clinics, I taught tennis fundamentals during rotations for players aging from 5 to 17 years old. I held this position for over two years.

 In July of 2016, I applied to become a Membership Representative at a specialty gym, Ramona Fitness Center (RFC). I worked here for over three years and was promoted to Operations Specialists throughout my tenure due to my attention to detail and sales performance. Among the relationships I built at RFC was the one that changed my career path drastically. I met my current boss.

In October of 2019, he offered me a position at his real estate development firm as an Office Manager. My initial duties were primarily administrative, but I soon began to shadow and assist on a few projects. I became adept in project management and was given my first project to manage in February 2020. Nine months later, I am managing several jobs in both Northern California and Washington.

Tell us about your current organization?

 I am employed by Woodcrest Homes, Inc., and work in the division of Woodcrest Real Estate Ventures. We are preferred developers with a resume of both residential and commercial projects. The bulk of our work is dedicated to building of two national credit tenants, Tractor Supply Co. and Dollar General. Additionally, we take on specialty projects such as wineries, event centers, and custom homes.

Tell us about your current role?

My primary role is as a project manager and my secondary duties are as office manager for Woodcrest. Office manager responsibilities include administrative tasks, company expense recordation, and acting as an assistant to everyone in the office. My project manager responsibilities are to entitle and permit the commercial projects I am assigned before they are given to our construction team for building. I communicate with cities, counties, and various consultants in order to coordinate and complete our submittals in order to obtain a permitted set.

What is your favorite part of your job?

 The best part of this job is the spontaneous traveling. Thus far, I have traveled to numerous small towns and large cities in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California.

These trips are research-based; we travel to Strategic Target Areas (STAs), given to us by our tenants, to validate locations in terms of zoning, available utilities, and other necessary features.

What are your post-graduation goals?

My post-graduation goal is to continue my path at Woodcrest Real Estate Ventures as a Project Manager and to take ownership of more projects as my knowledge experience expands. I also plan to continue my education in the pursuit of a PMP certification.

What advice do you have for students to network and start their careers?

 The best advice I could give any of my fellow students is to surround yourself with motivated, hard-working individuals. A wise man once told me that “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. I could not surround myself with a better team now if I tried and I can see how their influence has positively reflected on my life, both personally and professionally.