Queen Creek High graduate uses school experience in career

As a 2020 graduate of Queen Creek High School, Gus Campbell carries the lessons and experiences from his time there into his college education and professional career.

“The experiences that occurred in high school that really defined my high school years were probably playing football with my teammates,” Campbell stated in a Queen Creek Unified School District press release. “Having kind of like a brotherhood growing up there.”

One person who made a lasting impact was Coach Austin Watkins.

“He was an amazing mentor in my life. He was an amazing coach, person, and teacher,” Campbell stated. “He had an unbelievable impact on my life about just how to treat people and how to navigate certain situations.”

Campbell also remembers a social studies project that taught him a practical lesson: filing taxes.

“We essentially filed taxes in class,” he stated. “Looking back, I really wish I paid even more attention to that specific project.”

Today, Campbell works as a landman in the energy industry, where he handles leasing, acquisitions, title research and negotiations. He said the ability to work with others has been one of the most valuable skills he acquired with him from QCHS.

“I would think the number one trait that set me up for success was to be able to work with anybody,” Campbell stated. “Being able to essentially be a chameleon and blend in however you need to for any specific assignment, group, task, whatever it is.”