Rising Stars: Meet Ian Gibson of Sawtelle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Gibson.

Hi Ian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been wanting to be a theater actor for as long as I remember. I went to UCLA to study musical theater, did a few small shows in Los Angeles, and then about a year ago I realized that it was not what I wanted. The industry was headed in a negative direction, the lifestyle was stressing and anxiety-inducing, and I wanted something consistent. I went back to the drawing board, took prep classes, and ultimately decided I wanted to do accounting. I am now in a Masters Program for Accounting and working in the meantime as a bank teller!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road. Many obstacles and feelings of inadequacy. Shifting into a new career and studying with people who have been in the field for 10+years at times has made and continues to make me feel a little dumb every now and then. I have gone back and forth wondering if I made a mistake. Long nights, juggling 3 jobs to make ends meet, and studying in all my free time. It has been an adjustment

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently a bank teller, but my goal is to become a CPA (certified public accountant), and work in the auditing profession. Eventually through both audit and accounting experience, I hope to one day transition to forensic accounting. However, since I am so early in my development and studies, I am sure that career will change

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people know quite a lot about me. I am very open and outgoing, If I had to pick something people don’t know, it might be that I surf!

Living in southern california with a dad who surfs for a lot of my life, you go out once or twice into the water.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian.gibson11
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gibson11

Image Credits
I don’t have many photos of my work, and those that I do feature the young kids I teach for chess. I don’t want to feature them without parental permission.