Krystle Compere
Krystle Compére’s journey to the Burns School is anything but ordinary—and that’s exactly what makes her story so inspiring. With a background in environmental policy, a passion for sustainable development and a curiosity that led her from policy to job sites, Krystle has embraced every opportunity to explore the intersection of real estate and construction, domestically and internationally. From an internship in project management to a national competition win, she fostered a growing love for the construction industry and turned a planned pursuit of a certificate into a clear career path—and a future built with purpose.
Can you share your journey to grad school?
My path to graduate school has been anything but linear— and that’s turned out to be one of its greatest strengths.
I entered the program in 2024, planning to complete a certificate in construction management after earning my master’s in environmental policy and management the year before. My initial goal was simple: I wanted to understand how sustainability principles actually show up in buildings and on job sites, not just in policy language.
What I didn’t expect was how quickly that plan would evolve.
One of the first real turning points was my Building Systems class. While the coursework laid the foundation, it was the site visits that truly changed things for me. Seeing systems in real buildings—and understanding how design decisions, construction methods and long-term performance intersect—made the material tangible. It shifted construction from something theoretical to something very real, very human and deeply impactful.
Another defining moment was mentorship. Ceci [Smith, associate director of communications and outreach at the Burns School] matched me with an incredible mentor and advocate, Kristen Pyle, whose guidance helped me see the industry with more clarity and confidence. Through that connection, I secured a project management internship at the 92nd Street Y in New York during summer/fall 2025—an experience that solidified my interest in project management and confirmed I was moving in the right direction.
Around that same time, I landed an internship with Shea Homes, and somewhere between job sites, schedules and team coordination, I caught what I now jokingly call “the construction bug.” At that point, the question became less, “should I continue?” and more, “what’s another 24 credits if this is clearly where I’m meant to be?”
The fall quarter only reinforced that decision. Through experiential courses like the NAHB Student Competition—where my team earned third place nationally in 2025—and the global immersion program, I was able to apply what I was learning in real, collaborative and high-impact ways. During global immersion, my team also earned first place on our group project, which was both validating and energizing.
What began as a certificate quickly grew into a master’s program—and, more importantly, into clarity. These experiences transformed curiosity into confidence and gave me a clear sense of direction within the real estate and construction industry.
What brought you to Daniels and the Burns School?
A mix of timing, opportunity and long-standing curiosity.
PDP Continuing Education funding from the Regional Transportation District encouraged me to pursue additional education—and, honestly, it felt like free money that deserved to be put to good use. At the same time, I was actively reassessing my career direction and looking for a program that would allow me to connect sustainability, construction and real estate in a practical way.
As a Florida native who grew up in hurricane-prone communities, I’ve always been drawn to the built environment—especially resilient development and coastal construction. Daniels and the Burns School stood out for their rigorous coursework, applied learning, industry access and real-world relevance. It didn’t feel theoretical; it felt intentional.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
A few things tend to surprise people. I’m multilingual, I played basketball in high school and briefly in college, and I would happily live in Monaco or Mexico full time if given the chance.
Abroad is where I thrive — just in case anyone reading this is hiring internationally (wink).
What has been your greatest challenge and lessons learned?
Living in Colorado has been my greatest challenge. Coming from South Florida, I deeply miss my family, friends and cultural environment.
At the same time, this experience has shown me a level of independence and resilience I didn’t know I had. I’ve learned that discomfort often signals growth—and that building a life in a new place requires intention, openness and a willingness to ask for help when you need it. Those lessons have extended far beyond academics.
How does a REBE degree fit into your life’s plans?
The REBE degree fits seamlessly into my long-term goals. I plan to build a career in real estate and construction, ideally in project management, with a focus on coastal and resilient development. I’m also very interested in working internationally, and the global perspective embedded in the program—particularly through global immersion—has made that ambition feel achievable rather than abstract.
This degree hasn’t just expanded my resume; it’s expanded how I see the industry and my place within it and increased my network.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
Travel, without question. If there’s a long weekend or holiday, there’s a very good chance I’m heading to the airport—often back home to Florida, but sometimes somewhere new.
I also used to play basketball regularly when my schedule allowed, and once my final quarter wraps up, I fully plan to get back on the court.
What advice do you want to share?
If I could offer one piece of advice to current and prospective students, it would be to fully embrace the program’s competitive and immersive aspects. Opportunities like the NAHB Student Competition, ASC, NAIOP and global immersion add tremendous value—not just academically, but professionally and personally. Even when I didn’t participate in every program myself, seeing their impact reinforced how powerful experiential learning can be. These opportunities help build meaningful connections, deepen learning beyond the classroom and create memories that last long after graduation. They also make a large program feel much smaller—and more human.
I’d also strongly encourage students to sign up for the mentorship program, pursue certification courses like ARGUS, attend as many networking events as possible and make full use of the Daniels/Burns resources. The professors and faculty here genuinely care, are deeply connected to the industry, and want students to succeed.
Especially given the current state of the job market, engagement matters. The more you show up, ask questions and build relationships, the more prepared, visible and confident you’ll be when opportunities arise.