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TD Magazine Article

A New Career Trajectory

Guylandsky Jean-Gilles’s journey to L&D started as a regular customer at the now-closed Microsoft Store.

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Mon Dec 02 2024

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Guylandsky Jean-Gilles

Title

Associate Training and Development Manager

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Organization

DMi Partners

Location

Boca Raton, Florida

LinkedIn

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linkedin.com/in/guylandsky-jean-gilles

Education

Bachelor's degree in communication studies (Florida Atlantic University)

Favorite Quote

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you can miss it." Ferris Bueller's Day Off

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In a way, Guylandsky Jean-Gilles's journey to L&D started as a regular customer at the now-closed Microsoft Store in Boca Raton, Florida. He would visit the store weekly to look at its new technology and use the Xbox kiosk. He eventually landed a part-time job at the store while attending Florida Atlantic University, where he was pursuing a career in journalism. Ten months later, the store closed and Jean-Gilles transitioned to a corporate role as a training associate, facilitating customer success training programs for Microsoft clients. It was a decision that changed his whole career path.

While attending college, what inspired you to participate in such a wide variety of activities?

I made the decision to actively participate in campus activities and join various organizations to expand my social circle. A close friend encouraged me to join the Asian Student Union, which was closely affiliated with one of the fraternities on campus, Sigma Beta Rho, which I eventually joined as well. Additionally, I got involved with Owl TV to enhance my journalism, video editing, audio editing, and communication skills—all of which have proved valuable in my current career.

What are the biggest learning-related challenges in your current role?

One challenge is keeping up with the rapid pace of change in technology and processes. As new tools, platforms, and methods emerge, we must constantly update training to remain relevant and engaging. Balancing that with the ongoing development of current training initiatives can be difficult.

How does learning contribute to success in your role?

I dedicate time to continuous learning and always have my ear to the wall when it comes to process changes. I regularly join webinars, stay informed on trends, and take note of new or revised processes to develop relevant and purposeful trainings for our team.

What personal interests do you have outside of training and development?

I am a plant enthusiast. I have a moderately sized collection of plants—currently, I have 31, and the collection is still growing. Many of the plants are rare or uncommon. I also enjoy collecting physical music albums and, so far, I have collected over 60.

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December 2024 - TD Magazine

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