A little about me

Ads, Real Estate, Product:different rooms, same question.

I started in advertising, spent a few years underwriting commercial real estate deals at Ryan Specialty. I noticed I liked the individual aspects of each job where I got to answer the following: what pain points do our clients or my coworkers have, and how can we solve that? That's what pulled me toward product.

Now at Texas McCombs, I'm building product management and marketing skills through real projects: interviewing users, mapping their workflows, and shipping something they'll actually use.

Let's connect
Matthew Vargas smiling on a boat, flashing a peace sign with turquoise water and a city skyline behind him

My path, so far

Each chapter has given me a different lens—and together, they've shaped how I think about problems, people, and what makes a great product.

1

UT Austin

B.S. Advertising · December 2021

Advertising

Learned how ideas connect with people and the power of a compelling story.

2

Ryan Specialty

2023–2026

Risk Analysis

Learned to evaluate tradeoffs and make sound decisions in complex, high-stakes environments.

3

Texas McCombs

MBA Candidate · 2026–2028

Product Management

Bringing the creative and analytical sides together to build products that solve real user needs.

Matthew Vargas sitting on a rocky ledge looking out over a wide mountain valley

A perspective I carry

“To me, building a product from the ground up is easily the most fascinating job you can have in business.”

Teton Valley, Wyoming

What I bring

A few things that guide how I work, no matter the problem or the team.

Curiosity

I ask a lot of questions, seek different perspectives, and stay eager to learn.

Creative + analytical thinking

I enjoy connecting the dots between human insight and data to find practical, creative solutions.

Collaborative energy

I do my best work with others—listening, sharing ideas, and building toward a common goal.

Outside of work

Matthew Vargas fishing from a grassy bank at sunset on a lake outside Austin

Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Austin, TX

You can usually find me outside, exploring.

I love hiking, whether it's a big mountain trip or a local trail. Fishing helps me slow down and stay present. I'm a big fan of EDM (electronic dance music) and love a good show at the Concourse Project. Austin has so much to explore - great food, great people, and new experiences - so I'm constantly visiting new places in the city.

These are the things that keep me curious, grounded, and energized for the work I do.

Let's build something thoughtful