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News & Events
Spotlight on Students
Sticking with Plan A Yields Big Results for Phil Gore
(This feature is reprinted from the UW CareerCenter; written by Alyce Mallett)
Remember that dream for your future you had back when you were eight-years-old? Maybe you were going to be a fireman or a teacher or a trapeze artist? Well, just because you were only eight doesn’t mean you weren’t onto something – back then you probably knew your heart well without rationalizing away your dream. For Phil Gore, the dream evolved from his love of school and wanting to share his excitement with others - he wanted to run a school.
After high school Phil traveled a winding road, studying electrical engineering, music, business administration, sociology, and psychology at a number of institutions, eventually earning his bachelor’s degree in management at Northwest Christian College. A volunteer experience as a youth camp counselor awoke him to the fulfillment offered in being a pastor, which became his calling for the next 20 years.
While serving as a pastor in the town of Duvall, where he also raised his children, he was again drawn to education and became a member of the local school board. Tugged by the desire to become more involved with the education system, he decided to go back to school at the UW for a master’s degree. But, even though he was passionate about education, he still was not sure where the degree would lead him.
Phil turned to the UW Career Center for help and found the resources needed to clarify his path. There, he took advantage of everything from the Spring Etiquette Dinner, to career fairs, and resume reviews. Phil especially credits the encouragement he received from UWCC counselor Briana Keller in the workshop titled “Crash Course in Decision Making.” As a career changer, he learned to structure his resume to highlight his qualifications rather than concentrating strictly on his experience.
Phil graduated with his master’s in Educational Leadership and took what he refers to as a “leap in faith” resigning as pastor of his church to dedicate himself to his search for a new position. When the position of Director of Leadership Development Services with WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Association) became available, it was a natural fit for Phil and his passion to serve. He applied and found himself in a new and meaningful role.
The eight-year-old who loved school is now the man who serves as the liaison between the 296 school districts in Washington State and the legislature in Olympia. It may have taken awhile but Phil has stayed true to his beliefs and steadily moved towards his goal to run schools!
Read the original: http://careers.washington.edu/MyStory/Phil-Gore
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