In this series, we are featuring Team8s who worked at 8x8, left to pursue other interests, and then returned to our team. We’re so excited to welcome back Michael Gilbertson, who rejoined our global Sales Engineering organization as a Senior Sales Engineer. Read on to find out more about him and what brought him back to 8x8.

8x8: Michael, welcome back to the team! To start us off, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Michael Gilbertson (MG): Sure! As far as work goes, I rejoined 8x8 as a Senior Sales Engineer helping Account Executives in the Northeast Region. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my 90-pound Golden Retriever named Bruno. I also love exploring Chicago—the wide range of ethnic food and festival options here is just amazing.

8x8: Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in Sales Engineering?

MG: Not exactly. My career in Information Technology started in Tier 1 Support, then I moved on to Network and Telecom related roles, and from there to Training and Account Management, which led to helping Sales Representatives demonstrate and position Cloud Communications products. Finding Sales Engineering was a bit of an accident, but I love it and am not looking back!

8x8: What have been some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned throughout your career so far?

MG: To always ask, "Are we putting our best foot forward with this opportunity?" This question encourages me to bring in other valuable members of the team when appropriate. Also, I've learned how valuable communication skills are, especially when it comes to working with a technical and non-technical audience—often in the same conversation.

8x8: What encouraged you to return to 8x8?

MG: I was in the process of learning so many amazing technologies before my departure, so it felt like I had some unfinished business. With everything that has changed in the last year at 8x8, the learning opportunities here are even more valuable and these make for a richer work experience.

8x8: What did you miss most about 8x8?

MG: Even though the Sales Engineering organization is mostly dispersed throughout the regions, we've been able to keep a tight knit group dynamic. That is the thing I missed the most.

8x8: How do you like to spend your free time?

MG: Many of my hobbies revolve around food and travel, and I enjoy watching documentaries about both. I’m very interested in European history and I also enjoy spending time planning trips to find new food, people, and experiences!

8x8: Is there something that you’ve always wanted to learn or try outside of work?

MG: I'm a voracious traveler but have never had anything published, so I would love to learn about what it takes to make a living by documenting while abroad.

8x8: What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?

MG: As a 12-year old, I won a year's worth of pizza for getting a high score on a Galaga video game.

8x8: Looking back, what would you say was the most enjoyable or interesting thing that has happened to you this year?

MG: In mid-July of this year I had the opportunity to spend ten days in Scotland, attending the 2023 Guisachan Gathering near a small village called Tomich in the Highlands. The Guisachan Estate is the ancestral home of the Golden Retriever and this year's Gathering included 488 Golden Retrievers along with their owners celebrating on the grounds of the Estate. This was truly a magical experience and I can't wait for the next one!

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Read more stories in the Welcome Back Team8s series: