Andrew Samek

With a degree in sculpture and a plan to become an architect, Andrew Samek had a different career path in mind. But his career in telecommunications ultimately led him to the welding shop and an instructor position at SAIT.

After graduating with a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Calgary in 1986, Samek sidelined plans to become an architect in favour of going into the workforce. Picking up a position with a telecommunications company, Samek worked with engineers to design cellphones and radio equipment at a time when mobile communications were just taking off. After the company was taken over by Nortel, Samek moved into site planning and designing infrastructures, working across southeast Asia, Russia, East Africa and Australia.

But when he was given a position analyzing data, he realized he needed a change and — as someone who always loved working with metal — he turned to SAIT, enrolling in the welding apprenticeship program and taking classes and putting in his requisite hours at night.

He liked the program so much, he found ways to stay connected to SAIT and ultimately became an instructor. Today, he teaches the fundamentals of welding and prepares students for their own careers.

Looking ahead, with increasing automation in the world of manufacturing, Samek anticipates more demand for higher-skilled welders in the near future.

Awards and achievements: Cadmus Teaching Chair — developing curriculum for a blacksmithing and bladesmithing program

If I wasn’t doing this: I’d spend more time blacksmithing, and making custom knives and sculptures.