“Transitioning into a new career midlife is a scary thing to do with a lot of unknowns,” said Gordon Silliker, who is retiring from the United States Marine Corps and looking for a new start in the brewing industry. 

As a recipient of the Michael and Sheila Lewis Scholarship in Brewing, he’s determined to finish a journey he started two decades ago. His first step is the UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program.

“I'm ecstatic to finally see this journey materialize,” said Gordon. “How better to set myself up for success than to invest in myself at one of the top brewing schools in the world?”

From Homebrewing to Career Aspirations

In 2005, Gordon’s older brother introduced him to homebrewing shortly after he joined the Marine Corps. 

“I fell in love with it as a hobby,” he said. “I seriously considered leaving the Marines to enter the industry around 2012 but was selected for a special school that would end up taking me to 20 years and retirement, so I had to put that dream on hold.”  

With only a few months left of service, Gordon has had a successful career. Specializing in China and Northeast Asian security affairs, he speaks Mandarin and worked at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He also teaches in a professional development program for Marine Corps officers. But the call of the brewing industry was never far away.

“I've been following the industry for a long time,” said Gordon, whose goal is to learn from the best to prepare for his career transition. That’s what led him to the Master Brewers Program at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.

“UC Davis has a reputation for being at the cutting edge of brewing science, and everyone I've talked to about getting into the industry recommended it,” he said. 

While Gordon already had a foundational understanding of brewing and the brewing industry, he wanted formal education and training to take the next step.

“I'd like to open a small brewery or tap room, and I think the Master Brewers Program will give me the confidence to embark on this journey,” he said. “It’s one of a few ‘gold standard’ institutions globally that prepares people for a career in the brewing industry.”

Preparing for a New Career in Craft Beer

For Gordon, receiving the Michael and Sheila Lewis Scholarship in Brewing— a merit-based award that recognizes academic and professional success in the industry—is validating. 

“I've been thinking about this move for a long time, but I won’t lie, I have some anxiety about this career move.” he said.  “But it's a huge confidence builder to have been selected and that helps to mitigate the anxiety.  I’m hoping that being a Lewis Scholar and earning my Master Brewers Certificate from UC Davis will translate to immediate industry credibility.”

As Gordon begins the program, he’s excited to make connections.

“I imagine the relationships I make with the instructors and other students will carry over for years to come and will be an important part of my future success in the industry,” he said.  

He is also looking forward to refining his understanding of brewing science and applying what he learns through hands-on training and brewery visits.

“I’ll be getting a firehose of knowledge five days a week for three months, developing friendships that will last for years to come and having a blast while doing it,” said Gordon.

Planning the Next Step 

Looking ahead, Gordon is still deciding whether he wants to start his own brewery immediately after completing the brewing program or work at an established brewery first to gain experience in day-to-day operations. Either way, he is excited to make a mark on the industry.

“I have some ideas of my own that I would really like to see in action, but there’s still so much I don’t know.” he said. 

He sees the beer industry at a more difficult point than it’s been for decades.

“Just five to six years ago, bottle shops were lined with hundreds of large-format bottles of barrel-aged, chili-peppered, fruit-infused, exotic and experimental creations. New places were opening and selling beer as fast as they could make it—it was the Wild West, and opening a brewery seemed like it was a no-fail endeavor,” said Gordon. 

“Something's changed. You see it from the consolidation and closure of many breweries, changing consumer preferences and those large-format bottles are almost nowhere to be seen,” he said. “It’s an intimidating time to get into the industry, but I’m confident things will stabilize, though the industry is going to have to sort some things out first.”

It’s been a long time coming, but Gordon is ready to begin this next chapter—not only to fulfill a long-held dream but also to contribute to the brewing industry in meaningful ways and shape its future. 

“I'm going to graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence to jump right into the industry with both feet,” said Gordon.