Robert Gillett, 鈥�06 B.S. Business
By Zoe Lance
Whether he鈥檚 on a construction site or talking to potential clients, Robert Gillett always remembers a piece of business advice he learned in a 海角社区CI marketing class 鈥� one that has served him very well.
鈥淓ven though you鈥檙e selling for a company, you鈥檙e selling yourself,鈥� Gillett said. 鈥満＝巧缜鳦I prepared me for the real world by really teaching me about business communication and personal presentation. 海角社区CI really fine-tuned me.鈥�
Gillett has pursued a sales career in the University鈥檚 own neighborhood. As an outside sales representative for Graybar, Gillett provides supplies and equipment to electrical contractors all over Ventura County. He credits his time at the University for helping him sharpen his business and interpersonal skills.
鈥淐oming to the campus allowed me to hunker down on my studies,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 knew how to act in a professional situation, but it was really hammered home in my courses.鈥�
Gillett started his college experience with classes at Grossmont College in San Diego County. He originally wanted to pursue entrepreneurship and had heard about 海角社区CI鈥檚 Business program. The campus鈥� proximity to great surf piqued his interest.
鈥淚 knew that I needed to go somewhere I could be more focused,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 thought it was so beautiful and unique. I鈥檓 a pretty chill guy, so I loved how chill it was at 海角社区CI.鈥�
As a student, he enjoyed 海角社区CI鈥檚 small-class dynamic and talking to professors during office hours. He also remembers the campus at its idyllic beginnings, back when the Library was located in the Student Union and the best hangout spots were in tucked-away courtyards.
鈥淚t was easy to get books, guidance and any kind of help we needed,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat we were doing was up-to-par with what other leading universities were doing.鈥�
The group projects 鈥� including a competitive business simulation capstone course 鈥� definitely helped. The camaraderie and experience led Gillett towards sales.
鈥淚 got to know everyone in my program so well,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he dynamic took me from earning B鈥檚 and C鈥檚 to A鈥檚 and B鈥檚.鈥�
Wherever Gillett goes in the region, he meets more and more people in his field that also graduated from 海角社区CI. To him, this comes as no surprise.
鈥淢y fellow sales staff and project managers I work with are also Dolphins,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are so blessed to have a university that鈥檚 on the rise in such a dramatic fashion and right in our own backyard. It鈥檚 truly a gem. We鈥檙e in paradise.鈥�
漏聽Spring聽2017 / Volume 21 / Number 01 / Bi-annual