Growing up working retail jobs coupled with a family background of strong work ethics and a getting good education served Amit Ghandi well.

He’s now the Manager of Business Operations at Marin General Hospital.

Ghandi was the keynote speaker at the 15th annual Career Day at Shasta Elementary School on Friday. He’s longtime family friends with teacher David Ferrell, who invited Ghandi to this event consisting of seventh and eighth graders at the school.

“Today is when you can start thinking differently of your future,” Principal Audrey Greene Parker said to the middle school-aged group assembled in the multi-purpose building better known as the Hornets’ Nest.

Teacher Stacee Wescott spearheaded Career Day 2020 consisting of representatives from police, fire, first responders, accounting, cosmetology, and culinary arts.

The latter brought back Andrew Griggs, who attended Shasta and is currently a chef and instructor at Manteca Unified’s BE.Tech Career Academy.

“We didn’t have Career Days when I was here,” he said.

Griggs didn’t know of his career path until his junior year at the Sierra High. He considered engineering back then until taking that first-year Regional Occupation Program Culinary Arts class.

“That’s when I found out that you can go to school and become a chef,” said Griggs, who attended Johnson & Wales University Providence Campus. “I always liked cooking for myself and family.”

Since teaching at BE.Tech for the past five years, he’s been a Career Day regular.

Ghandi came from a family who immigrated to the U.S.

“My parents came from India and knew very little English, and had little money and skills. But they had strong work ethics,” he said.

Ghandi stressed the importance of working hard and making good choices to the Shasta students.

“Respect will take you as far as you go,” he added. “Don’t say ‘I can’t’ – once you do you close the doors. Don’t limit yourself.”

Ghandi, who is a 2003 graduate of Bear Creek High in Stockton, pointed out that resilience is also key part in life.

One of his first jobs was working at Toys “R” Us.

The major retailer closed its doors in 2018. But Ghandi learned a lot from that experience, including people skills.

“You learn how to read people,” he said.

Many students will soon be seeking their first job.

For that, Ghandi emphasized that proper spelling and grammar are crucial on the job application.

From there, it’s getting that phone call to possibly set up an interview, he noted, adding that presentation is important, from dressing and speaking properly to being on time.

“Take advantage of your opportunity (at Career Day),” Ghandi said to the young group. “Ask a lot of questions.”

He started out in accounting but his inquisitive ways landed him into his current job.

As Manager of Business Operation at Marin General, Ghandi’s duties including making sure that there’s enough people on staff to take care of the patients.