Class of 2016 Alumna and Rising Professional Honored by Christ the King

Attending a Christ the King football game in October caused Taylor Gaines, CTK Class of 2016 to reflect on the growth of her alma mater, as well as her own personal growth. The emergence of an actual tackle football team, accompanied by the band, cheerleaders, and stands filled with fans elevated her high school to a whole new level. The young professional has also come a long way since graduating from CTK, earning a finance degree from Northern Illinois University in 2021, and working in several accounting & finance positions including her current role at Elmhurst University with aspirations for additional degrees. She was humbled and excited to be standing at the 50 yard line with her family at halftime to be inducted into the CTK Athletic Hall of Fame. “I was honored to even be considered. It brought up great memories of all the good things that happened while I was at CTK from awards, to being a team captain, and to the successful teams I was a part of.”

Basketball was Taylor’s path to Christ the King. Her grade school travel team coach became the coach at CTK and introduced Taylor and her teammates to the relatively new high school on the West Side. Her parents loved the college prep academics and work study program for the opportunities they opened up for their daughter. Taylor went on to play three sports – basketball, volleyball, and softball – and also exceled academically, graduating as class Salutatorian. Being part of a sports team was important to her, and she valued the life skills she gained. “Being an athlete helped shape me into the person I am today. Being on a team is where I learned transferable skills I use in my career today, like time management, effective & respectful communication, teamwork, and helping others to be successful.”

Her CTK work study experience allowed her to have exposure to a corporate office as a teen. Her experience working at DePaul University and then at GATX gave her a head start in her professionalism and business knowledge, which helped prepare her for later jobs.  Ultimately, it was the people that made CTK special for her. “The thing about CTK that stays with you is how supportive everyone is, from the principal to the security guards and especially the teachers, everyone went above and beyond, and treated you like family.”

Taylor earned a basketball scholarship to Triton College. She chose to attend the community college not only so she could continue her athletic career, but for the financial savings for her family and the opportunity to live at home, Importantly, it allowed her to stay close to her father, who was suffering from an illness that made him wheelchair bound. His illness didn’t stop him from attending most of Taylor’s games, but as his health deteriorated, it was important for her to be there for him and her mother. An injury during Taylor’s second year combined with her father’s death, prompted her to consider moving on from Triton. With her older sister’s help, she identified and applied to Northern Illinois, which was importantly just a 45-minute drive away. She also reevaluated her major and career focus, shifting from health care/physical therapy to accounting/finance, something her father had suggested as a better fit for her. That career direction was solidified due to a positive experience interning at Leamington Foods, working under the company’s controller.

Attending NIU allowed Taylor to live away from home for the first time. The adjustment of coming in as a transfer student wasn’t an easy one, and changing her major added to the degree of difficulty. To afford school, she worked multiple jobs, in retail at Skechers and Sam’s Club, as well as her work study job on campus. Her interest in athletics and fitness opened up an opportunity to be assigned to the Wellness & Recreation work staff. She found out the intramural sports leagues needed referees, and she signed up. In addition to making some extra money, this work study assignment also allowed her to form friendships with like-minded students.

In spring 2021, Taylor walked across the NIU graduation stage with a finance degree, and a minor in marketing along with her certification in retail management. That summer, Taylor started working at commercial real estate firm JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) in their accounting department. Her role there focused on pursuing accounts receivables from tenants. She decided after five months to pursue another job that offered more growth for her career, and moved to Inland Real Estate as a staff accountant. During her 2.5 years there she was promoted to an accountant II position, and became the “go-to person” in the department, including training several of her co-workers. Ultimately, she did not see herself in that role long term and recognized to further her career, she would need to pursue additional degrees. Her recent move to Elmhurst University allows her to work In the Higher Education field, at a place that will help pay for continuing education. She has set her sights in the next few years on pursuing her MBA, as well as a degree in data analytics, to get her on a preferred career path.

Taylor’s Athletic Hall of Fame induction triggered positive memories of her time at CTK. She acknowledged the importance of the support she had received from her coaches, teammates, teachers, and family. She is a big proponent of higher education in helping to achieve your dreams. She shared this advice with current CTK students: “Go to college and learn as much as you can. Don’t expect to learn everything on the job. Get the basics down in college and ask your professors questions. It will help you later. Stay focused on your career goals and just go for it.”