Gareth Thompson is a graduate of Wheeler High School (2019) and of the University of Georgia (2023); this fall he will start working as a Contract Compliance Associate at KPMG. Throughout high school, Gareth attended many of our student programs, was a 21CL Youth Ambassador and recently served as a Summer Leadership Team member and alumni roundtable speaker, helping to mentor and inspire our current students.
“I really encourage students to be all-in when attending these programs. You get out what you put in! Your spot in 21CL is a spot that hundreds of other students are vying for – why waste it? It is such a good opportunity to meet with professionals and start growing your professional network – something that is even more difficult to do on your own.” ~Gareth Thompson
Paint a brief picture of yourself and what you are doing now.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Risk Management & Insurance, along with an emphasis in consulting. I was involved in several organizations during my collegiate career – notably the Asian American Student Association (AASA), and the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi of which I was Ethics Chair. Throughout college I interned at State Farm Mutual Insurance for two summers, one as an Auto Claims Intern and the second as a Special Investigative Unit Intern. This fall I plan to work full time as a Contract Compliance Associate with KPMG in the Atlanta office. As I await professional life, I enjoy travelling with friends, playing sports, playing music, and making art.
When were you in high school and which 21CL programs did you participate in?
I attended Wheeler High School from 2015 to 2019. I attended three summer leadership institutes: EarthCare at Berry College in 2016, SYLI at Emory University in 2017, and Turner Youth Voices Media Institute at Georgia Tech in 2018. I was a 2018-2019 21CL Youth Ambassador and attended Fall and Winter Leadership Summits in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Since high school, I recently returned to 21CL as a Summer Leadership Team member for EarthCare 2023.
What was your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL?
It’s so hard to pick just one memorable moment! I would have to say that the first night of EarthCare my roommates and I all went into one room and just started talking for hours, playing music, and becoming close friends. I was skeptical about joining camp at first – it was my first time away from home at an overnight camp but knowing that people were with me sharing the same experiences made it a lot more welcoming and bearable. If they could do it, so could I! Knowing that everyone involved, from the campers to the staff, were 100% all in on making the program the best it could really be encouraged me to give it my all and eventually return for years to come.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader?
I am not the loudest speaker in the room, and sometimes it’s difficult for me to have my voice heard, especially among large groups. Working on the 21CL projects helped me speak up, and even encourage others to do the same. Being around so many different people with different experiences meant that everyone had a unique perspective to the tasks we were trying to solve. I learned to understand that, not to devalue my own contributions, and look for ways I could get others involved, even if I wasn’t the loudest. Starting off small in 21CL has helped me hone these collaborative skills into other projects that I’ve had to do in college and throughout various internship experiences.
What advice would you give to a current or future student?
I really encourage students to be all-in when attending these programs. You get out what you put in! Your spot in 21CL is a spot that hundreds of other students are vying for – why waste it? It is such a good opportunity to meet with professionals and start growing your professional network – something that is even more difficult to do on your own. The skills you learn are transferable skills that will make you head and shoulders above your peers as you venture into college and professional life. But don’t only focus on the professional! The personal relationships you form will last you a long time. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other campers or even the staff. Who knows? A relationship in camp might turn into a job opportunity down the line.
How would you describe 21CL in three words?
Powerful. Fun. Foundational.