Student Spotlight: Chad Gledhill - Startup Idea in Motion

TMP Student Spotlight: Chad Gledhill

Chad is a third year Communication major and will graduate from UC Santa Barbara in June 2018.

He is originally from from Pasadena, California. Chad is a member of the campus organizations, Greeks 4 Kids and Best Buddies. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and working on his startup ideas.

Your learning experiences in TMP

How did you hear about TMP and why did you decide to join the program?

I found out about TMP through older members of my fraternity. Many of them shared the same views as I did in that we wanted a business related education, which UCSB did not really offer. Hearing about their experiences made me want to give TMP a shot. I wanted to learn about entrepreneurship, and that is exactly what I did in TMP.

What are some of your influential learning experiences going through TMP? Any challenging but rewarding TMP courses?

I am currently enrolled in TMP 122 with Professor Trip Hawkins, and it has been by far the most challenging and the most rewarding class that I have taken. I have learned and am continuing to learn just how difficult it is to create and launch a startup. Trip’s advice and experiences as an entrepreneur have helped me immensely, as I am able to use his perspectives towards creating a startup and all that it entails.

Your advice to students/parents about UCSB’s TMP 

What advice would you give to students about UCSB’s Technology Management certificate program?

If you are a student who wants to study business, do not be tricked into thinking that the economics and accounting major is a business major. If you want to learn about real business, come check out TMP. The program’s educators are experienced executives and entrepreneurs who have successfully created and managed businesses.

Your Goals after UCSB and TMP

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far at UCSB and TMP?

My biggest accomplishment at UCSB is currently in progress. I am working on an idea that came out of taking TMP 122 class with a few friends. We are learning what it means to create an idea and put it into motion. Without TMP, the three of us would have never even considered working on a project of this scale.

Photos courtesy of Chad Gledhill.