Ilias Corbin, a 2023 graduate of Roseburg High School, is now an HR Assistant at FCC Commercial Furniture. From building a strong foundation in the RHS business program to designing training materials for a local company, Ilias is proof that real-world experience in high school can lead to meaningful early career opportunities.

“The business program in RHS helped me gain interest and experience in business administration,” he said. “I always wanted to work a calm office job, and going through the business program gave me a lot of knowledge and connections to build towards that goal.”

Ilias participated in Career & Technical Education (CTE) and graduated from the RHS business program. He credits the student store for helping him develop teamwork and communication skills. “Making decisions and communicating with a team is a skill a lot of people lack and can take you very far or push you to new heights,” he shared.

His time in the student store also helped him earn a platinum communication award and sharpen his soft skills. “I am easily able to navigate team settings and use clear communication to get tasks done,” he said. “I also took dual credits in the business program and got about a term ahead on my UCC journey.”

One of the key skills Ilias still uses today is note-taking and team communication. “Frequent and consistent communication is critical for working fast and smart,” he said. “Inconsistent communication can lead to people wasting time where it's not needed or stepping on each other's toes on a project.”

At FCC Commercial Furniture, Ilias now works on projects like employee training programs and even a virtual reality plant tour. “I enjoy getting to know more about Human Resources and working on my projects,” he said. “My main one right now is a training program for the Project Coordinator position. This involves gathering information, pictures, and designing slides to make an effective program.”

After high school, Ilias attended Umpqua Community College, worked for the student newspaper, and took Microsoft Suite classes to strengthen his office skills. Though he sees HR as a specialized field, he notes that “most medium to large size businesses need one so it will always have its niche.”

Looking back, Ilias credits his teachers at RHS for helping him grow. “Larina Warnock pushed me to focus and apply myself better. She also got me into FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and that led to so many fun memories and friends,” he said. “When she retired, there was Mr. Patterson. He helped push the student store to new heights and was a great teacher to learn from.”

His advice to students is simple: “Look for it. If you do not put yourself out there you will not find opportunity.”

For now, Roseburg continues to be a great starting place for Ilias as he builds his career. “I have a good base and support system here,” he said. “My family is very good and I am blessed with a stable living environment. I really like my company too because it is a very good work environment with lots of great people.”