Alumni Spotlight: Meet Michael Gill '08

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Gill ’08

Program: BBA General Management

Campus: Ohio

As he starts his 29th year in the grocery industry, Bryant & Stratton College general management alumnus Michael Gill has never settled and is still always striving to be the best he can at whatever he does.

While working at PepsiCo and building retail displays as a manager trainee, Michael knew that working in that role or similar was not the career path he had in mind for himself for the rest of his life. Already having earned his associate degree, he knew one of his goals was to finish his undergraduate college education by earning his bachelor’s degree in general management. The very next day, Michael made a phone call to Bryant & Stratton College to inquire about advancing his career-and then he never looked back.

Michael enrolled in the general management bachelor’s degree program, where he would learn the vital skills used in staff and managerial positions throughout the business field. The degree program focuses on problem-solving, strategy and planning, communication and marketing, interpersonal relations, technology, and more.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Michael advanced to become an account manager, moved up again to become an operations manager, and then eventually became a territory sales manager, overseeing more than 500 stores for PepsiCo. Michael of course would not let himself stop there; he once again returned to school to complete his master’s degree. “I wondered, ‘Why stop now?’ I enjoy the education and experiences,” Michael said.

Once Michael earned his master’s, he decided he would return to Bryant & Stratton College to become an instructor himself. “During my time at Bryant & Stratton I received so much insight from my instructors, who were all professionals in the field. The wealth of knowledge they had and were able to relate to real-world examples gave me the ability to excel, and that’s why I love Bryant & Stratton College so much,” Michael shared.

Now, Michael has the ability to do the same for his students. He can share his real-world experiences and give them the background knowledge they will need when they are ready to set foot in their field. Having individuals like Michael at Bryant & Stratton College gives students the opportunity to learn what they should expect when they start their career.

“I love the students, I love the instructors I work with, and I wouldn’t trade these people for the world,” Michael said. He continued to applaud his experiences at the school, saying he has made incredible lifelong relationships that mean so much to him and have been his most valuable takeaway from Bryant & Stratton College.

Michael said, “To anyone who is thinking about going back to continue their education at Bryant & Stratton: Do it. Have the conversations, talk to the admissions team, or get in touch with someone like me who has been through it.”

Learn more about our general management program here!