Texas Border Business
SAN JUAN, Texas – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) alumna Tianna Bruce recently returned to share her experience and expertise as a licensed Real Estate Agent with PSJA students enrolled in the Real Estate Academy.
Bruce graduated from PSJA North Early College High School in May of 2023. While at PSJA, she was involved in numerous extracurricular activities including the PSJA North Raiderette Dance Drill Team, the PSJA North Theatre production of Aladdin Jr., and was also invited to participate in the Hidalgo County Cotillion on top of being enrolled in the district’s rigorous PSJA Real Estate Academy.
Bruce knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in real estate. She shared first being inspired by her father who is a mortgage loan officer and her older brother who is also a real estate agent.
According to Bruce, in her free time, she watched television programs showcasing other agents selling luxury homes, which further sparked her interest in becoming a real estate agent.
Knowing firsthand the rigors of being an agent, Bruce expressed being excited when PSJA ISD first launched the Real Estate Academy for high school students in the fall of 2022.
The course, offered through the district’s PSJA Career & Technical Education Program and South Texas College’s Continuing Education Program, is open to seniors and allows students to complete the state requirements to earn a Real Estate License by the time they graduate from high school in May 2023.
The Real Estate Course is just one of numerous career-advancing opportunities offered through the PSJA Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program in partnership with South Texas College and other higher education institutions.
Each semester, the PSJA CTE Program provides cutting-edge, rigorous, and relevant education to give high school students a jumpstart in a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high demand careers after high school. PSJA ISD students can choose from 12 unique career pathways and 28 specialized programs.
Bruce, who was a member of the very first cohort under the PSJA Real Estate Program, was one of five students to successfully complete the course and earn her license.
“The PSJA Real Estate Program helped me learn all of the material I needed to pass my state and national exam,” said Bruce. “The books that the district provided to me free of cost contained all the information necessary for my studies.”
Just shortly after graduating high school, Bruce entered the real estate world and closed on her very first transaction as a seller agent in under four weeks at the age of 18.
Her success did not stop there, she currently has two active listings on the market and has already closed two transactions as a buyer and seller’s agent just four months after graduating from high school.
“Through long hours of studying, determination, and constant motivation from my family and instructors, I am able to accomplish more than I could have imagined in such a short amount of time,” said Bruce. “I am so proud to say that all my hard work has paid off.”
Grateful for the opportunity to jumpstart her career while in high school, Bruce is now honored to give back to her PSJA Family by visiting her alma mater and presenting to current students enrolled in the real estate program. Most recently, she shared her expertise and spoke about her personal experiences as a licensed realtor in hopes of motivating the students to continue with the course and inspire them to follow their dreams.
According to Bruce, she thanks all the individuals and mentors from PSJA ISD for helping her get to where she is now professionally and for continuously providing new and innovative courses that are life-changing for students.
“I would like to thank my counselor, the PSJA Academies Coordinators, and most importantly my instructor Mr. Hernandez,” said Bruce. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the help and mentorship of these amazing people. I would also like to thank my family for believing in me and encouraging me to always chase my dreams, from the bottom of my heart, thank you PSJA ISD.”
To learn more about the PSJA Real Estate Program and the various career-advancing courses offered at PSJA ISD visit, www.psjaisd.us/academies
