Meet Brett Gosling
Financial Services Representative
At CUA, we pride ourselves on knowing our customers and having customers get to know our staff, including those who look after the day-to-day operations of our branches. We recently sat down with one of our staff members to help you get to know them as well.
Brett Gosling is a Financial Services Representative who works in our Customer Contact Centre.
I grew up in the town of Bonavista on the East Coast of Newfoundland. Unfortunately, there weren't many job opportunities there, so I moved to St. John's for work. While there, my company asked me if I would be interested in helping expand its presence in Halifax, and I accepted. I’ve been here ever since.
2. Can you highlight your educational background and professional experience?
I have a Bachelor of Arts in History and Russian Literature as a double major and a Certificate in Criminology. Most of my work experience has been in either retail or commission sales. I used to hold both Mutual Funds and Life License Qualification Program (LLQP) Licences; I was even an LLQP instructor for a time.
3. What drew you to banking?
I felt like my last position under-utilized my brain and over-utilized my back! Plus, I wanted to be in a place where my actions significantly impacted people's lives. Money is a massive part of daily living, and I wanted to learn more about how it works.
4. Since joining CUA, what other positions have you held?
I began at CUA as a Financial Services Representative (FSR) at the Annex branch, and after 18 months, I was offered a position in the Customer Contact Centre. But the relationship goes back even further than that – I was a member long before I was an employee.
5. What does a “regular” workday look like for you?
A regular workday for me consists of helping members and aiding my colleagues. Sometimes that requires doing a transaction over the phone to save a senior a trip to a branch or assisting a business owner with their online banking over chat. There are no small jobs!
6. What is the best part of your job?
Hearing the gratitude in someone’s voice when I’ve solved a problem for them. It might not seem like a big deal to us, but it could mean the world to the member!
7. Since being in your role with CUA, what is the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
Nobody cares about how much you know until they know how much you care. Many people are not financially savvy and depend on us to help them. CUA is about service first.
8. What is one piece of financial advice that you believe everyone should follow?
Get to know how money works. Learn about interest rates and investment yields; too many people drive their financial cars without headlights.
9. Outside of your professional life, what is your favorite activity or hobby?
I’m a writer, so that takes up a great deal of my free time. I'm finishing editing my first novel, and I have a half-dozen short stories I've submitted for publication.
10. What is your favorite meal to cook at home or order at a restaurant?
I am most definitely a “meat and potatoes” kinda guy. Steak is my favorite, but anything barbequed will get my attention!
Email Brett
