College Experiences That Helped a Chief of Staff at Education Non-Profit Succeed
Brian's college success stemmed from a broad range of coursework, emphasizing the importance of strong writing skills—"being able to write well is such an important skill"—and exposure to diverse perspectives and people, which proved invaluable in their career navigating the complexities of the education non-profit sector. The ability to write effectively, Brian suggests, remains crucial even in the age of AI.
Communication, Writing Skills, People Skills, Diversity & Inclusion, Higher Education
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Brian Gilson
Chief of Staff
Education Non-Profit
Denison University, 2007
Education, Lipscomb Unviersity
English
Education
Operations and Project Management
Video Highlights
1. Take a wide range of classes to learn about different subjects and develop important skills.
2. Develop strong writing skills, as this is crucial for many careers.
3. Expose yourself to diverse people and ideas to learn how to work effectively with different individuals.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set yourself up for success in your career?
I had a wide range of classes and learned about a lot of things. The content of the classes was helpful for learning about history, politics, and people interactions.
Some of the study habits and skills I learned through college were also helpful. Being able to write well is one of the most important skills. I learned that in college, and a little in high school.
My number one advice is to listen to your writing professors. Being able to write well is a crucial skill as a teacher and in most careers these days. Even with AI and ChatGPT, the ability to write effectively will remain one of the most important skills people can have.
Exposing yourself to different people and ideas is something colleges offer. While I could have done more of that, interacting with and learning from diverse people prepared me to work with a variety of individuals effectively in my career, which is essential in any field, especially education.
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