techlife: the builders' issue v7.1
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It’s tIme to put liver and
onions back on
the menu
naIt’s best-kept
secret hangout ways to
build your network
9
Hint: Edmonton is open for business, says JamEs Cumming
Why startup starAshif MAwjistays put
how to wrIte your twesume, p. 20
Who are we?We are the world’s largest oilfield services company1. Working globally—often in remote and challenging locations—we invent, design, engineer, and apply technology to help our customers find and produce oil and gas safely.
Who are we looking for?We’re looking for high-energy, motivated individuals who want to begin careers as Field Specialists or Maintenance Technicians. In these positions, you’ll apply your technical expertise and troubleshooting skills to ensure quality service delivery.n Do you want a high level of responsibility early and the opportunity
to make a real difference on the job?n Are you interested in an unusual career with a sense of adventure?n Do you hold an associate’s degree or diploma in a relevant technical
discipline or have equivalent formal military training?
If the answer is yes, apply for a position as a Maintenance Technician or Field Specialist.
Apply at careers.slb.comGo to Students and Recent Graduates, Engineering, Research, and Operations. Then select the Maintenance Technician or Field Specialist option to make your application.
What will you be?
careers.slb.com
>120,000 employees>140 nationalities~ 85 countries of operation
years of
innovation85 CAREERS IN ENGINEERING, RESEARCh AND OpERATIONS
1 Based on Fortune 500 ranking 2011. Copyright © 2013 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.
ESSENTIAL TO STUDENT SUCCESSImperial Oil Foundation Supports NAIT Chemistry on CampusSince 2008, the Imperial Oil Foundation has provided junior and senior high school students with hands-on learning through NAIT’s Chemistry on Campus Program Sponsored by the Imperial Oil Foundation. To date, the Program has delivered 200 workshops to over 3,400 students. Sessions take place in NAIT’s state-of-the-art chemistry labs.
Chemistry on Campus aims to increase student awareness of chemistry in science, technology and society, while promoting careers within the fi eld. Young people gain valuable chemistry experience in a cutting-edge learning environment that may not be available in their own school labs.
A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS
nait.ca
tAble of contentstAble of contents
4 techlifemag.ca
techlife > contents
cover photo By BlaisevanMalsen
on the cover20 how to write your
twesume
32 why ashif mawji stays put
46 hint: edmonton is open for business, says James cumming
48 9 ways to build your network
51 It’s time to put Liver and onions back on the menu
58 naIt’s best-kept secret hangout
technofile19 personal communication
Gidoandgrandsonarebroughtclosertogetherbyshared,decade-spanningcareers
20 how to make the most of social media in your Job huntTimetolearnhowtowriteatwesume
22 head gamesANAIT-developedvideogamepushesthelimitsofthemind
23 buried treasuresAtimecapsulesofancy,it’salmostashametoburyit
25 online supportRichelleSkrilecgetsonlineshoppers–andstores–givingback
innovate26 For the Love of the game
TheOoksareatthetopoftheirgame.Cantheirconferencekeepup?
32 build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Five easy stepsStartupexpertAshifMawjishowshowit’sdone
40 blood houndsEdmontonPoliceServicebacksupavitalcanineblooddonationprogram
PeoPle43 best in class
WepresenttheNAITcontingenttoWorldSkills–includingourfirst-evergoldmedalist
46 ceiling unlimitedThenewCEOoftheEdmontonChamberofCommerceJamesCumming
weighsinonthecity’sfuture
cUlinait51 no guts, no glory
HokansonChefinResidenceChrisCosentinoencouragesthenextgenerationofchefstofaceandembracecookingwiththewholeanimal
56 recipeChrisCosentino’shamhockandlentilsoup
63
v7.1 2013 5
dePartments6 the Latest from
techlifemag.ca
7 contributors
8 editor’s note
9 Feedback
11 connectionswith
thepresidentConstructionbeginsonNAIT’slargest-evercapitalproject
12 newsbytesRecentnewsfromtheinstitute
13 previewAninsidelookatemerginginnovations
15 3 QuestionsLeadershiptipsfromthetrenches
16 readingroomAnalumreinvigoratesCanadianclassics
48 ask an expert Thefineartofschmoozing
50 contestSignupforthetechlifemag.canewsletterforyourchancetowin
58 spacesThebestplaceoncampustowatchtheworldgoby–eightfloorsbelow
61 5 waysto get Involved with naIt
63 Job DescriptionYourcommutewouldn’tbethesamewithoutBobDunford
65 acclaimAward-winninggrads,staffandfriends
66 rewindAtreasurechestofmemoriesand,uh,condoms
alUmni featUred in this issUeDan bassett,InstrumentMechanic’97
rosario caputo,CulinaryArts’05
Daniel costa,CulinaryArts’05
grant craplewe,SheetMetalWorker’98
James cumming,ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’81
kai Dan,Management’13
sean Donnan,RefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanic’12
bob Dunford,CivilEngineeringTechnology’78
robert easton,Management’82
Joanne geisinger,Marketing’89
edward gutsche,Management‘90
bruce hagstrom,CivilEngineeringTechnology’71
Lawrence Jacobs,CommunicationElectrician’66
brayden kozak,CulinaryArts’02
blair Lebsack,Cook’98
shauna Lesick,AnimalHealthTechnology’86
tiffany Linke-boyko,Management’07
kevin martin,PetroleumEngineeringTechnology’87
gord matthew,Management’87,Finance’88
ashif mawji,ComputerSystemsTechnology’92
keven mcghan,Finance’89
corey meyer,RetailMeatcutting’96
rose naqvi-parasynchuk,Accounting’99,BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration’03
mathew petruk,WirelessSystemsEngineeringTechnology’13
colin polanski,CommunicationElectrician‘87
Dan radovanovic,Machinist’11
Jim ripley,SheetMetalMechanic’81
tracey scarlett,MedicalLaboratoryTechnology’87
genevieve simms,ArchitecturalTechnology’12
richelle skrilec,Management’94
Fred thompson,Management’12
Lance torgerson,Management’95
Dan westgeest,ComputerNetworkAdministration’02,RetailMeatcutting’05,CulinaryArts’07
46 43
26 56
techlifeMAg.cA
Household HazardOnce,asbestoswastobuildingswhatbutteristobread,whichiswhyitmaybeinyourhome.Ifso,wehaverecommendations.
techlifemag.ca/asbestos-in-the-home.htm
Sweet SomethingsMoveovercupcakes,AmyNachtigall’sbringingbackthecookieinabigway.Here’swhy,howandarecipe.
techlifemag.ca/sugared-and-spiced-cookies.htm
Hot StuffWarminguptotheideaofanewfurnace?Weknowafewthingsyoushouldknow,too.
techlifemag.ca/furnace-replacement.htm
Wired for SoundForthoseabouttorock,analumhaslaunchedalineofreasonablypriced,high-endspeakers–maderightinEdmonton.
techlifemag.ca/adsum-audio.htm
Badminton’s BestHowdidKaiDangetsogoodwitharacquet?ThestoryofthemostdecoratedathleteinthehistoryofNAIT.techlifemag.ca/dan-kai-badminton.htm
Pop goes the restaurantNowyoueatit,nowyoudon’t.MithaleeRawatexplainsthepop-up.techlifemag.ca/pop-up-restaurants.htm
Never Regret a RenoOurguidetohelpingyougetthemostfromtherelationshipwithyourcontractor.techlifemag.ca/home-renovations-contractors.htm
Gardner on the RoofNAITandtheEnjoyCentrepartnertoelevateurbanagriculture.
techlifemag.ca/enjoy-centre-living-roof.htm
Retire on Time and on BudgetSoundslikeatoughjob?Itdoesn’thavetobe,ifyoufollowtherightadvice.
techlifemag.ca/retirement-planning-tips.htm
Betweenprintissuesoftechlifemagazine,wepostnewstoriesonlineattechlifemag.ca.Below,you’llfindasampleofwhat’savailable.Tostayintheknow–andregularlyreceivegreatcontent,includingrecipesandhow-tostories–signupforoure-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm(seep.50foroursubscriptioncontest).
the latest from techlifemag.ca
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techlifev7.12013
peopletechnologyinnovationtechlifemag.ca
editor SherriKrastelmanaging and online editorScottMessengerassociate editor KristenVernonart directorDerekLuedesignersDruDavids,TrinaKoscielnuk,JenniferLubrin,AndyOviatt,TinaTomljenoviccopy editorRuthGrenvillecirculation managerNicoleRose(Marketing’08)advertising managerLynnRyancontributing writers ElizaBarlow,FionaBensler,JenniferCockrall-King,HeatherGray,MichaelHingston,LindaHoang(RadioandTelevision‘11),RuthJuliebo,FrankLandry,NancyMcGuirecontributing photographers JohnBook(PhotographicTechnology’87),LeighFrey(PhotographicTechnology’01),JeanetteJanzen(PhotographicTechnology’10),BlaisevanMalsen,RothandRambergPhotography(PhotographicTechnology‘87)subscriptionsSendchangesofaddresstocirculation@techlifemag.ca.
Signupforthetechlifemag.cae-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.freelance submissionsSendqueriestoeditor@techlifemag.ca.Wedonotacceptunsolicitedmanuscripts.letters to the editoreditor@techlifemag.caadvertising and circulation inquiriescirculation@techlifemag.ca
TechlifemagazineispublishedtwiceayearbyNAITMarketingandCommunications.Onlinefeaturesarepublishedregularlyattechlifemag.ca.OpinionsexpressedarenotnecessarilythoseofNAITortheeditorialteam.
TechlifeisaproudmemberoftheAlbertaMagazinePublishersAssociation,abidingbythenationalmagazineadvertising/editorialguidelines(albertamagazines.com).
PAGE f 25
RothandRambergPhotographywasestablishedin1993afterDale rothandmichele ramberggraduatedfromtheNAITPhotographicTechnologyprogramin1987.Theyformedabusinessplanoneeveningoverbeerandpizza.Theplanwassimple:workashardastheycouldandhavealotoffundoingit–liketheydidshootingsocialentrepreneurRichelleSkrilecforthisissueoftechlife.Overtheyears,they’veestablishedanimpressiverosterofclientsincludingBechtel,Bell,CalgaryZoo,CNRail,Enbridge,McDonald’s,Newfoundland&LabradorTourism,Pratt&Whitney,Rona,Syncrude,TransaltaandTravelAlberta.
PAGE f 51
Asalittlegirl,Dru Davidssatatthesideofhermother’saerobicsclassandcreatedfridgemasterpiecesforeveryone.Today,shespendsherdaysasagraphicdesigneratNAITandhereveningsteachingZumbaclasses.Anavidcookandfoodlover,DavidswasexcitedwhenChrisCosentinowasnamedNAIT’s2013HokansonChefinResidence.Inadditiontodesigningthefeatureabouthisvisit,sheattendedaluncheonpreparedbyCosentinoandtheculinarystudents.“Thefoodhadheartandsoul,”shesays,“andwasbeautifullypresented–everythingIstrivetodeliverwithmydesign.”
PAGE f 20
Linda hoangthinksit’samazingherhobbyhasbecomeherjob.BeforejoiningNAITthisyearasadigitalcommunicationsspecialist,HoanghandledwebandsocialmediaforCTVEdmonton.NowshepoststoNAITsocialmediachannelsincludingFacebook,Twitter,InstagramandPinterest.Shealsowritesstoriesfortechlife,includingthisissue’sguidetousingsocialmediainyourjobhunt.TheNAITRadioandTelevisiongrad(classof
’11)hasajournalismdiplomafromMacEwanUniversityandhaswrittenforseverallocalpublications.Whennottweeting,pinningandsoon,Hoanglovesfood,catsandexploringEdmonton.
PAGE f 61
Youmaynotseeherbyline,butnicole roseplaysakeyroleintechlife–andinnurturingthelinkbetweenNAITandits179,000graduates.Asanadvancementrelationsofficer,shebringstheirstoriestotheeditorialteamandpens5Waystoconnectalumniwiththeinstitute.“OnceyougraduatefromNAIT,”saysRose,“you’reamemberofthecommunityfortherestofyourlife.”She’soneofthem:Marketing’07.Inhersparetime,Roseisanaccomplishedhulahoopdancer.CatchaRosehipHoopclassoncampusandelsewhere.
Web ExtraLearnafewhulahooptricksfromNicoleRoseat
techlifemag.ca/hula-hoop.htm.
v7.1 2013 7
eDitoR’s note
newchamberofcommercebossJames CummingbelievesEdmontonisagreatplaceforbusiness.Sodoesentrepreneurashif mawji.Andifthetwoofthemhaveanythingtodowithit,thecitywillsoonbeknownmoreasahotbedforstartupsthanagovernmenttownormeregatewaytotheoilandgasindustry.
Mawjiisaserialentrepreneurwithakeeneyeforopportunity.HesoldwatchesinNairobiasakid,andtodayistheCEOofNPOZero,providingservicestonon-profitsthathelpthemreducecosts.AnEdmontonsuccessstory,heiscommittedtohelpingcreatemoreofthesame,workingwithNAIT’sJRShawSchoolofBusinessonaplantomakeentrepreneurshiptrainingavailabletostudentsofallprogramsacrosstheinstitute(p.32).
FromhisvantagepointindowntownEdmonton,Cummingisfocusedonrecruitingskilledlabourandhelpingthecity’sentrepreneursfindglobalmarketsfortheirservicesandproducts(p.46).Heagreesthecity’spost-secondarieshaveanimportantroletoplayinprovidingtheeducationtopreparethem.BothheandMawjiaredeterminedtobuildconfidenceinthecity’sfutureasago-toplacefortheenterprise-minded.
Thisissuelooksatbusiness–largeandsmall.Richelle skrilechasbuiltauniquehome-basedbusinesscombiningcharitablegivingwithonlineshopping(p.25)and,inherroleasCEOofAlbertaWomenEntrepreneurs,tracey scarlettisworkingtobuildeconomicvalueandincreasethesuccessrateofstartupsbycreatingmututallybeneficialrelationshipswithbigbusinessandgovernment(p.37).
Ifyou’reinterestedinbusinessleadership,FountainTire’sBrent Hesje,SurewayConstruction’sBruce HagstromandRose naqvi-ParasynchukofCameronHomeshavespenttimeinthetrenchesandtheboardroomsandsharetheirinsightsandchallenges(p.15).
Finally,wecan’ttalkaboutthebusinessofbuildingEdmontonwithoutmentioningBob dunford.He’sbuiltacareerlookingafterthecity’sroads–keepingussafe,removingsnowandyes,fixingpotholes(p.63).
SherriKrastelEditoreditor@techlifemag.ca
“thE city will soon bE known morE As a hotbed
for startups thAn A GovErnmEnt town or
mErE GAtEwAy to thE oil And GAs industry.”
take oUr sUrveyFollowingeachissueoftechlife,wesurveyourreaderstomakesurewearedeliveringwhatyouwanttoread.Yourfeedbackisimportanttous.Takeourshortsurveyandhelpusmaketechlifethebesttechnologylifestylemagazineinthecountry.Investlessthan10minutestodayforabettertechlife tomorrow!
Visittechlifemag.ca/ survey.htm.
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For more information:Department of Advancement780.471.8800
A bequest is a thoughtful, practical way to make a real impact. It’s a lasting contribution that allows you to give beyond your lifetime.
Bequests to NAIT support students and have enabled hundreds to receive the fi nancial support they need to complete their studies.
YOUR GIFT CANCHANGE THE FUTURE
Charitable Registration Number: 10778 1205 RR0001
Your bequest could:
• establish a student scholarship in your name
• purchase equipment that enables hands-on learning
• fund applied research
A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO
STUDENT SUCCESS
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connections with the PResiDent
wearethrilled!ConstructionofthelargestcapitalprojectinNAIT’shistoryisunderway.
It’sgoingtotakeaboutthreeyearstocompletethefive-storey,51,000-square-metreCentreforAppliedTechnologies.Withstate-of-the-artclassroomsandsimulationlabsanda135-seatlecturetheatre,theprojectwillbetrulytransformativeforNAIT,EdmontonandAlberta.
ThisisgrowththatNAIT–andAlberta–needs.Itwillallowustoincreaseenrolmentby50percentinhealth,business,engineeringtechnologies,andsustainablebuildingandenvironmentalmanagementprograms–areasinwhichtheprovinceneedsskilledworkersnowandintotheforeseeablefuture.What’smore,thecentrewillletNAITbuildonwhatitdoesbest:hands-on,practicaleducation.Already,we’reknownasexpertsinteachingusingsimulation,allowingstudentstohonereal-worldskillsinsafe,controlledenvironments.Nowwe’retakingthatastepfurther.Simulationisthecentre’sraisond’être;itwillbeoneofthelargestsimulation-basededucationfacilitiesinCanada.
NAITisessentialtoAlberta.Itwascreatedtoservethisprovince.Thiscentrewillbringustoanewchapterinthatrelationshipbybetterenablingustodeliveron
built on A PRoMiseWeb ExtraSeefootageofthefirstofficialdayofconstructionofNAIT’slargest-evercapital
projectattechlifemag.ca/groundbreaking.htm.
ourfourguidingpromises.WepromisetomeetthecurrentandemergingneedsforpolytechniceducationinAlberta;topreparestudentsformeaningfulcareers;toproduceanexceptionalskilledworkforcealignedwithindustryneeds;andtoprovideanoutstandingworkplaceforourstaff.
Inshort,thecentreisabsolutelyvitaltoourlong-termvisiontobethemostrelevantandresponsivepost-secondaryinstituteinCanadaandoneoftheworld’sleadingpolytechnics.Wecouldn’tbehappierthattheGovernmentofAlbertahaschosentosupportthis.Ithascommitted$200millioninfundingforthecentreand,thissummer,evenhelpedusbreakgroundfortheproject(PremierAlisonRedford,incidentally,operatedtheexcavatorherself).
Forfivedecades,NAIThasgrownwithAlberta.I’mpleasedtosaythatitlookslikemuchmoreofthesameinthedecadestocome.
GlennFeltham,PhDPresidentandCEOglennf@nait.caP
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neW PRovostdr.neilfassinaisNAIT’snewprovostandvice-presidentacademic.PreviouslydeanoftheJRShawSchoolofBusinessandSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArts,Fassinasayshewill“championandrepresentNAITwithpride,dedication,innovation,energyandspirit.”
AlongwithaPhDinorganizationalbehaviourandhumanresourcesmanagement,Fassinabringsafocusonstrategyandpeopletotherole,wherehe’sresponsibleforleadingNAIT’sacademicmission.Priortojoiningtheinstitutein2011andbecomingprovostthisMay,hewasthedepartmentheadofbusinessadministrationwiththeAsperSchoolofBusinessattheUniversityofManitoba.
— Frank Landry
nait in Mexicoinjune,theinstitutecompleteditsfirstyearoftrainingformaintenanceworkersattheMulatosgoldmineinSonora,Mexico,forToronto-basedAlamosGoldInc.IgnacioGarcia,asenioraccountmanagerwithNAITCorporateandInternationalTraining,describestheprogramasacustomizedapprenticeshipinwhich36heavyequipmenttechnicians,20electriciansand36millwrightsdividedtheirtimebetweentheirjobsatthemineandclassesatanewlybuilt,NAIT-designedschoolinHermosillo,220kilometreswest,staffedbyNAITinstructors.“Youwalkinthereandyoualmostthinkyou’reinaNAITlab,”saysGarcia.
— S.M.
thisaugust,constructionoftheCentreforAppliedTechnologies–thelargestcapitalprojectinNAIT’shistory–officiallybeganwithagroundbreakingceremonyonMainCampus.AmongattendeeswerePremierAlisonRedfordandThomasLukaszuk,deputypremierandministerofenterpriseandadvancededucation.Reflectingthescaleofthe51,000-square-metreproject,Redfordbrokegroundwithanexcavator,operatingitherself.“Thereasonwe’llbesuccessfulinthisprovinceisbecausewecontinuetobuildtheinfrastructureandthecapacitytoensurethatskilledpeoplewillbeabletocontinuetoparticipateintheeconomy,”shesaidafterward.“NAIThasalwaysrespondedtothat.”Tobecompletedin2016,thecentrewillaccommodate5,000studentsinhealth,business,engineeringtechnologies,andsustainablebuildingandenvironmentalmanagementprograms.
— Scott Messenger
ConstruCtion begins!
badminton’s
bestcanada’sbestcollegebadmintonplayerswillcompeteatNAITthiswinter.TheOokshostthe2014CanadianCollegiateAthleticAssociationBadmintonNationalChampionshipfromFeb.27toMarch1–thefifthtimethetournamenthasbeenheldatNAITsince1987.ThechampionshipisexpectedtodrawplayersfromAlberta,B.C.,OntarioandtheMaritimes.NAITearnedtwogoldmedalsandonesilveratthe2012championship.
— F.L.
CHEESE
PleaseartisanalcheesesmadefromscratchatNAITareheadedintohouseholdkitchens.Thisfall,theRetailMeatStoreonMainCampusbegansellingsmallbatchesoffeta,mozzarella,brieandcottagecheesecraftedbyfirst-semesterCulinaryArtsstudents.Anewvarietywillbebroughtintothestoreeverycoupleofweeks,saysAllanRoote,theCulinaryArtsinstructorleadingthisinitiativeandaself-described“cheeseenthusiast.”Thestoreisopentothepublic.
— F.L.
PReview
v7.1 2013 13
fewofusaretrulyefficient.NotwhencomparedtoRossTaylor,atleast.Besidesbeingafull-timeComputerEngineeringTechnologyinstructor,he’safarmer,pastor,newgrandfather,aself-learnerofmechanicalengineering,andthechaserofadreamtoinventamachinedesigned–surprise,surprise–toachievegreaterefficiency.
“It’sjustgo,go,go,”hesays.“Idon’teverstopuntilIgotobed.”WithgrantsfromnovaNAIT(whichfacilitatesappliedresearch
acrossNAIT)andtheSchoolofInformationCommunicationandEngineeringTechnologies,Taylor’sdrivehasproducedwhatcouldproveamajoradvancementforthetransportationindustry:aprototypeforaninternalcombustionengineroughly125percentmoreefficientthanacurrentV8engine.Thekeytohisdesignisacircularconfigurationofpistonsthatallowsformoreenergyperstrokewithlesswear.
Withelectriccars(roughly300percentmoreefficient)andhybrids(about35percentbetter)ontherise,thequestionis,whybother?FromTaylor’svantagepoint,theinternalcombustionengine,atechnologywithrootsinthemid-17thcentury,canachievethesamegoalofsaving
fuelandevendoitbetterfortheforeseeablefuture.Inparticular,hebelieveselectricscosttoomuchtobuild,andareslowtowinoverconsumerswho“don’twanttobetiedtoanextensioncord”orareseekingrealsustainability.Afterall,morethan40percentofAlberta’selectricitycomesfromcoal.
“Evenifwecomeupwithothermeansofpoweringthings,Ithinkwe’regoingtohaveinternalcombustionenginesforquiteawhile,”saysTaylor.
Thiswinter,NAITautomotivetechnologistsandmillwrightswillhelphimtestaspecialgearsystemhedesigned.Thenextstepwillbetobuildandtestafull-sizeengine.Intheyearstocome,whenhisengineisreadyformarket,Taylorwouldliketoseeitinlargervehicles,includingsmallaircraftandtrains.
Togetthere,he’dratherpartnerwithamanufacturerthanheadupacompany.It’snotbecausehecouldn’tfindawaytosqueezeitin.Taylorhappilyseeshimselfstayingbehindthescenes.Hemaybemanythings,but“I’mcertainlynotanentrepreneur.”
— Scott Messenger
mister effiCienCy
ross taylor reinvents the internal combustion engine.
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this might just
save your life
above, student alisha lewis presents the medical prototype she helped develop.
aprototypecreatedbyfourBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentsmayleadtoanewlifesavingmedicaldevice.It’sanimportantstepinthedevelopmentofaclipusedtoclosepotentiallyfatalchestwounds,saysKellyMottet,productsupportspecialistwithInnovativeTraumaCare,theclientforthestudents’capstoneproject.
ThestudentsdevelopedtheiTClipasthenextinInnovativeTraumaCare’sproductlinethatalreadycontainstheiTClamp50,atemporarywound-closuredevicethatinstantlycontrolsseverebleeding.TheEdmonton-basedcompanywantedanewproductthatcouldbeappliedwithonehand,closevariouswoundsandfitunderbodyarmourforuseinmilitarysituations.
Thestudentsmeteachrequirementandalsoincludedaventingmechanismtoclearlungsofexcessaironceawoundhasbeensealed.Theprototype,arevisedversionofwhichisslatedforpre-clinicaltrialsthisfall,wasfabricatedattheNAITShellManufacturingCentreona3Dplasticprinter.
Fortheirefforts,thestudentstiedforfirstplaceinthe2013CapstoneSymposium,aneventwhereBachelorofTechnologystudentsshowcasetheirprojects.
— Frank Landry
QUick silver DetectoR
agroupofstudentshasdevelopedapotentialsolutiontotheworldwideproblemofsilvercounterfeiting.BuiltfornovicecoincollectorRobertFaltin,theSilverHoundisthesizeofasmartphoneandmeasureselectricalconductivitytodetermineifcoinsareauthenticsilverorfakes,manyofwhichoriginatefromChina.TousetheSilverHound,onesimplyholdsacoinagainstasensor.Resultsareavailableinseconds.
Theprototypewasdevelopedinlessthaneightmonthsasthestudents’BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementcapstoneproject,whichrequiresthatparticipantsaddressrealindustrychallenges.Thisspring,ittiedforfirstplaceintheBTechCapstoneSymposium,NAIT’sannualinnovationshowdown.
AfterincorporatingacompanyunderthenameAgMatics,FaltinnowhopestolicensetheSilverHound,butfirstmustsecureapatentandthenworktoreducemanufacturingcoststounder$100fromthecurrent$250.
— F.L.
3 qUestions
aninternetsearchonleadershipproducespagesofbooktitlesoneverythingfromthe21lawsandfivelevelsofleadershipandhowthebestleadersmakeeveryonesmarter,tohowtotakeyourcompanyfromgoodtogreatandmakeextraordinarythingshappen.Wedidn’thavetogoonline,however,forexpertise.Rather,wewentstraighttoafewofouralumniandfriendswhosharedtheirdistinctapproachestoleadership,alongwithwhatkeepsthemupatnight.
— Sherri Krastel
folloW the leader
brent hesJeChairofNAITBoardofGovernorsandCEOofFountainTire
rose naQvI-parasynchuk(Accounting’99,BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration’03)Vice-presidentofCameronHomes
bruce hagstrom(CivilEngineeringTechnology’71)Vice-presidentandGeneralManager,SurewayConstructionGroup
How do you describe your
leadership style?
Hands-onwhenitcomestotheselectionandrecruitmentofourteamanditsdevelopment,andengagedindevelopingourthree-to-fiveyeargoals,thenIgetoutofthewaywhenwemobilizeforoperation.
I’mmoreamodern-dayvisionaryforwhatweshouldbedoingthanadetailperson.Ibuildtherightteamtogetusthere.
I’dsayIleadbyexample–forqualityworkandproductivity.I’vebeenthatguyinthetrenches,runningequipment,surveying,soIknowwhatitfeelslike.
What is one of your biggest
challenges as a leader?
Theoldadagethatgoodistheenemyofbestisalwayslooming.Forbigdecisionsitisachallengetomakethetimeandspacetochoosethebest,ratherthanjustthegood,option.
Professionally,growingafamily-ownedcompanywithoutcompromisingonfamilyvalues.Personally,tryingtobealeaderandamothertosixgirlswhoallliveathome.
Ourworldischangingsorapidlythatitputsnewtechnicaldemandsoneverypersonregardlessofmarketsector.Addthesechallengestothesubstantialgrowththatourcompany,likesomanyothers,hashadinpersonnel,anditbecomeschallengingtofindthetimetomentorourpersonneltotheextentthatIwouldprefer.
How do you communicate
with employees in the face of
bad news?
Withacrystal-clearexplanationofthetruth.
It’sverydifficult.Ilooktomymentors–myhusbandandmyfather–forguidanceandtrytobefairandhonest.Iaddcompassion.
Communicatingbadnewsistoughforme.Iputmyselfintheperson’sshoesandask,“HowwouldIwantthistobeaddressed?”andIgofromthere.
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Cover story margaretatwood.RawiHage.The Hockey Sweater.ThesearejustsomeoftheclassicCanadianauthorsandbookspublishedbyHouseofAnansiovertheyears.ButwhentheTorontopressdecidedtore-issuetheseandotherfavouritetitlesfromitsbackcatalogue–aserieslaunchedtomarkits45thanniversaryin2012–thepersontheyturnedtoforasetofnewcoverswasarchitecturaltechnologistgenevieve simms.
Simms(ArchitecturalTechnology’12)isanEdmonton-basedillustratorwhoseclientsincludeMaclean’s and The Globe and Mail.Shealsoworksfull-timefortheengineeringandarchitecturalfirmDialog.AftercatchingtheeyeofartdirectorBrianMorgan,SimmswasrecruitedbyhimtoworkonAnansi’snewseries,calledtheA-List.
ThegoaloftheA-Lististoturnwhat’soldnewagainandtomakethesebelovedtitlesavailableandaccessibletomodernreaders.Assuch,Simms’sjobwastoprovideasetofcoversthatwerefreshandcohesive,whileretainingthebooks’originalcharms.“ThisisprobablythemostnoteworthythingI’vedone,”shesaysofherportfoliotodate.
Originally,Simmswastoillustratefiveofthe10covers,butbeforelong,Morgansays,“TheAnansifolkshadfalleninlovewithGenevieve.”Sheendedupdoingninecoversintotal:fromablack-and-whitesketch(forGraemeGibson’s1969novelFive Legs),toasoft,surrealportrait(forAlPurdy’s1973collectionPoems for All the Annettes),toahypnoticwallpaperpattern(forGilAdamson’s2007novelThe Outlander).Simmsdescribestheoverallaestheticas“prettylo-fi….Iwasgoingforareallyhand-donelook.”
MorganwasimpressedbySimms’soverallrangeasanartist.“Ilearnedjusthowmanytonesshehas:everycoverisitsownthing[and]hasitsownheart,”hesays.
Sowhilesomeofthedesigns,liketheoneforRochCarrier’sThe Hockey Sweater and Other Stories,werestraightforward(“Mylittletwistwasthatitwashangingonaclothesline,”Simmssays),othersweremoredemandingandevenmadedirectuseofherskillsasatechnologist.
Forexample,sheknewtheillustrationforDennisLee’sCivil Elegies and Other Poems wouldfeatureToronto’sNathanPhillipsSquare.Simmshadtodrawdozensofversionsoftheiconiclandmark,fromdifferentanglesandusingdifferenttechniques,beforeshegotitright.
SimmscreditsherNAITtrainingformakingherfeelcomfortableenoughtodoasimpledrawingofabuildinginthefirstplace.Clarityandsimplicity,shesays,arelessonsthatshehopestoapplytoherfutureillustrationwork,too.
“It’stotallyfinetobreakitdowntoitspartsandbeassimpleasyoucanaboutit,”saysSimms.“Showitclearly.Communicateit.”
— Michael Hingston
genevieve simms makes her mark on canadian literature.
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Looking for workers?Online job postingsReach thousands of great candidates by posting your positions online at no charge. Any full-time, part-time, summer or contract positions related to the programs offered at NAIT are welcome.
nait.ca/employerservices
Looking for work? NAIT students and alumni• tailor your job search• connect with employers on campus• access career search information and tips
nait.ca/studentemploymentGOOD wOrk!
NAIT: WHERE EMPLOYERS
AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
COME TOGETHER
TRADES TO DEGREES
NAIT’s innovative Trades to Degrees pathway enables qualified trades professionals to move into the third year of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Build your competencies with courses in project management, supervision and entrepreneurship. Flexible learning options ensure you can achieve success, your way.
Learn more: nait.ca/tradestodegrees
A GROUNDBREAKING LEARNING PATHWAY ESPECIALLY FOR TRADES PROFESSIONALS
v7.1 2013 17
18 techlifemag.ca
I (WE) BUILT THIS
technofile
v7.1 2013 19
byapplyingtonait’sfirstofferingoftheWirelessSystemsEngineeringTechnology(WSET)program,mathew Petrukwasmakinganewconnectionwithhisgrandfather,Lawrence Jacobs.In1966,JacobsgraduatedfromthefirstCommunicationElectricianprogram,makingbothmenpioneersinafieldthathasbeenthebackboneofindustryforgenerations.
Duringhis35-yearcareerwithEdmontonTelephones(acquiredbyTelusin1995whenJacobsretired),JacobshelpedshiftEdmonton’stelephonesfromanaloguetodigitaltechnology,whichenabledtheevolutiontowireless.“Itismarvellousthechangesthathavetakenplace,”saysJacobs.“Webasicallyhadtosticktothetelephoneindustry.Nowyoucanworkanywhere.”
WSETchairColin Polanski(CommunicationElectrician’87)seesconsumerdemandformobiletechnologyasthemainreasonforthatchange.Today,wirelesscommunicationsisamulti-billiondollarindustrythatsupportsvirtuallyeverysector.
Inanyform,communicationstechnologyhasalwaysconnectedus.InPetrukandJacobs’scase,ithascreatedamorepersonalconnection.“I’vealwayshungaroundGidoandweareclose,butourcareershavebroughtuscloser,”saysPetruk.
Here,wecompareparallelcareerpathsseparatedbynearlyfivedecades.
— Heather Gray
lawrence jacobs and mathew petruk
because of nait, gido and grandson are closer than ever.
personal
lawrencejacobsmathewpetrukCommunicationElectrician’66WirelessSystemsEngineeringTechnology’13
Four-yearapprenticeshipTwo-yeardiploma
EnrolledtobecomeaccreditedtoworkasatelephoneinstallerEnrolledtolearnhowcellphonesandotherdeviceswork
Graduatedat25yearsoldGraduatedat21yearsold
Startingwage:$2.50/hourWagesvaryfrom$29-$40/hour
Workedasatelephoneinstallerfor12yearsthenmovedintomanagementGainedfieldexperienceduringsummersspentworkingwithcommunicationtechniciansatAtco
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[ how to ]
make the most of
social media
in yoUr job hUnt
twesumes?twitterviews?Thesetermsmaysoundstrangebutthey’repartofthechangingjob-searchlandscape.Tweeting140-characterblurbs,updatingyourLinkedInprofileandensuringFacebookphotosareprivatearebecomingeffectivewaystohelplandajob.Accordingtoa2012Jobvitesurvey,89percentofrecruiterssaytheyhavemadeahirethroughLinkedIn,while86percentofrecruiterssaytheyarelikelytolookatsocialmediaprofiles.
“Makesureyou’rethereinthespaceandputtingoutsomereallygoodnewsaboutwhoyouare,”saysJRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorRayBilodeau,whoteachesasocialmediamarketingclassthathashelpedanumberofstudentsgainjobleads,interviewsandevencareersthroughsocialmedia.“Bediscoverable.”
We’vegottipsonhowtodothatwhenitcomestothreemajorsocialmediaplatforms.
— Linda Hoang Illu
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� Ensureyourbioandprofilepictureareprofessionalandappropriatefortheindustryyou’reinterestedin.Aprofilepictureinyourbathingsuitprobablyisn’tsuitableifyou’reapplyingforanofficejob.
� Includealinktoyourwebsite,blogorLinkedInprofileinyourbio.
�“Demonstratethatyou’reasubject-matterexpert,”Bilodeausays.Showyou’reinterestedinwhat’shappeningintheindustrybyfollowingandtweetingothersubject-matterexpertsandsharingtheircontent,aswellaslinkstoindustry-relatedarticles.
� Buildanetworkwithpeopleinyourcity.Forexample,followthe#yeghashtagtoseewhat’shappeninginEdmontonandfindpeopletofollowandfosterconnectionswith.
� Followcompaniesandemployeesofcompaniesyouwanttoworkfor.“Tweettothem,showyou’reinterestedintheircompany,”saysNAITBachelorofBusinessAdministrationstudentJacquelineWong,wholandedaphoneinterviewwithRBCaftercatchingtheirattentionthroughherblogandTwitter.“I’msurealotofpeopletweettocertaincompaniessoifyouasksomethingdifferent,hopefullythey’lltweetback.”WongfirsttweetedlinkstoherblogtoRBCandnevergotaresponse.WhenshetookadifferentapproachandaskedwhethertheirexecutiveswereonTwitter,shereceivedaresponse.
� Haveabadday?Keepittoyourself.Sincepostscanberetweetedandseenbythousands,publiccomplaints“canbeanimpedimenttoyoursuccess,”Bilodeausays.
�“Makesureyourexperienceisalignedwithwhatindustryislookingfor,”Bilodeausays.FillouttheBackground,ExperienceandSkills&Expertisesectionsandtailordescriptionstotheindustryyou’reinterestedin.
� Updateyourprofileregularly.NewupdatesappearintheLinkedInfeedsofthoseyou’reconnectedwith,soupdatingyourprofilekeepsyoutopofmindwithpotentialemployers.
� Keepyourconnectionsprofessional.“Youdon’twantallyourcontactstobefriends.Youwanttobecontactingpeoplewhocanhelpfurtheryourcareer,”saysNAITBachelorofBusinessAdministrationstudentMelissaZimmer,whowashiredafterapplyingforasummerjobshediscoveredthroughLinkedIn.
� Joinindustry-relatedgroupsandwatchforjobpostingsfromthosegroups.
� Endorseothersfortheirskillsandaskforrecommendations.
� LeantowardsTwitterandLinkedInforjobleads.BeawareofwhatmaterialfromFacebookmaybepubliclysearchablebecausethiscouldaffecthowhirableyouare.
� StayontopofFacebookprivacysettings.“Lockthemdown,”Bilodeausays.“Makeitasprivateaspossible.”Keepcontentcleanbecauseevenprivacysettingsdon’tguaranteesomethingcan’tbetakenandsharedpublicly.
� LiketheFacebookpagesofcompaniesyou’reinterestedintogetthemostup-to-dateinformationandthenmentionitduringinterviews.
hi def | twitterviewTwitterviewsareshort-forminterviewsconductedpubliclyonTwitter.JobseekersundergoingTwitterviewsareexpectedtoanswerquestionsin140characters.“TwesumesandTwitterviewsallowcompaniestodiscoverandengagewithindividualsonline.Thosecompaniescan’tfindyouifyou’renotthere,”Bilodeausays.
hi def | twesumeTwesumesaresimpleresumésthatshowwhoyouareandhighlightyourqualificationsin140characters.Includethe#twesumehashtagandtweettwesumesmorethanonce,withslightchangesorupdateseachtime,togetnoticed.
#twesume: linda hoang
#communications
& #socialmedia
professional. tech savvy,
community-minded.
find out more: http://
www.linkedin.com/in/
hoanglinda #yeg
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[ gADgets ]
thisspring,agroupofDigitalMediaandITstudentshelpedbuildwhatcouldbethemostbrain-drainingvideogameevertocomeoutofNAIT.Project Vulcan,aprototypebuiltundertheguidanceofgamedesigninstructorArmandCadieuxandgameprogramminginstructorJohnWinski,issetaboardaspacestation.Theconceptaloneisamindbender:you’rearobottryingtoescapebyembodyingaseriesofstrongerrobots.
Therealtrip,however,liesinthedirectionthegamepushestheindustry.Playersdon’ttakeoverotherrobotsusingahandheldcontroller;theyusetheirthoughts(hencethenodtoStar Trek’s“Vulcanmindmeld”),readbyabrain-scanningheadsetandconvertedbythestudents’softwareintoactionsonscreen.
Theprojectoriginatedasalookintothepotentialapplicationsoftheheadgear–arelativelynew,off-the-shelftechnologythatisseeingincreaseduseinvideogames,butrarelyintherole-playingvariety,whichincludesProject Vulcan.Evidently,CadieuxandWinskitakethatasaninvitationtopushthelimits.“Howweplaygameshasdramaticallychangedinthelastcoupleyears,”saysCadieux.Tohim,brainsensorsarethelogicalnextstepfollowingthetouchscreens,motionsensors
andaugmentedrealitythathavetransformedtheindustry.“We’reteachingstudentshowtobuildagamebutalsohowtothinkbeyondandbringinallthisotherhardware.”
Somewhatinadvertently,however,Project Vulcanhastappedintoanotherschoolofthoughtemergingaroundvideogames.“Gamescanteachusstuff,”saysWinski.Hemeansmorethanfactsandfigures.Ifactionsinavirtualworldcanaffectbehavioursintherealone,Project Vulcancouldbesaidtoteachfocus.“You’vegottoconcentrateonjustonething,”saysWinski.Inanageinwhichmulti-taskingandtheInternethavedividedourattentions,“It’stricky.”
Cadieuxbelievesthegamehintsatakindofrehabilitation,aroleNAITgameshavealreadyplayedwithpatientsattheGlenroseRehabilitationHospitalinEdmonton.Indeed,afewminutesofplaycanleaveanewbie(orthiswriter,atleast)feelingphysicallyexhausted,asifhavingexercisedaweakenedmuscle.Theimpactthisgamingdevelopmentmayhaveonmentalhealthremainstobeseenbutthere’snoreasontothinkitwillbeinsignificant.“Gamespushtheboundariessomuch,”saysCadieux.
— Scott Messenger
head gamesbetter living through mind-controlled video games
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materials:16-gauge(1.5-millimetreor1/16-inch)stainlesssteel,fordurabilityandstrength
to be unearthed:InNAIT’s100thanniversaryyear
built by:SheetMetalWorkerstaffatPatriciaCampus
bUried treasUres
• Alimited-editionOokpikbeer
• AmenufromTheNest,NAIT’scampusbarandgrill
• AnewOoksjersey
• We are NAIT@50 commemorativebook
• Memorynotesfromalumni,includingedward gutsche(Management’90),atimecapsulecommitteevolunteerwhopassedawaybeforethecapsulewassealed
• Predictionsbystudentsandstaffaboutwhattheinstituteandcitywilllooklikein50years
• Morethan100otheritems
inside the time Capsule
physicalanddigitalitems,includingmemoriesandwellwishestocelebrateNAIT’s50thanniversary,havebeenenclosedinatimecapsuletobeopened50yearsfromnow.“I’mhopingpeopleunderstandhowproudweareofwhatwehavecollectivelybuiltandhowcentralNAIThasbecometothewelfareofAlbertaanditspeople,”saysDr.GlennFeltham,theinstitute’spresidentandCEO.Tomakesuretheitemsarewellpreserved,Jim ripley(SheetMetalMechanic’81),chairoftheSheetMetalWorkerprogram,designedthestainlesssteelchestfeaturedbelow.
— Fiona Bensler
0.6m
0.6m
sealed:Withautomotivepaneladhesivebecauseofitsabilitytokeepoutmoistureandenvironmentalelementsandbecauseitiseasilyunsealedbyheating
weight:Ninekilograms
hours to build:Eight
engraved by:BehrendsBronze(theNAIT@50logoisonthelidandtheinstitute’scoatofarmsisonthefront)
Turntop.66tofindout
whatturnedupinour1987
timecapsule0.9m
1.2m
SHOW YOUR NAIT PRIDERetail Services’ wide assortment of NAIT- imprinted products gives you many ways to keep the pride alive. From accessories to comfy leisure wear, we’ve got a selection that will delight.
We make shopping easy:Online: onlinestore.nait.ca Phone: 780.491.3104 Email: mailorders@nait.ca Visit the NAIT Bookstore: Room X114, 11762 106 Street, Edmonton, AB
A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS
24 techlifemag.ca
A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO
STUDENT SUCCESS
TO HEALTHNAIT DELIVERS HEALTH AND CARE TOGETHER.NAIT’s Continuing Education 2nd discipline MRI program is delivered online, making it the most fl exible MRI training in Canada. The program is open to health care professionals with a previous designation in medical radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, ultrasound and combined laboratory and x-ray.
Students can work as they study, with seven online courses and fi nishing with a 16-week clinical placement to perfect their skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students are then eligible to write the CAMRT national MRI Certifi cation exam.
Enrol today at nait.ca/mri Next intake January 2014
technofile
v7.1 2013 25
online sUPPortrichelle skrilec helps philanthropists give while getting what they want.
asthemotheroftwoteenagedgirls,Richelle skrilec wasveryfamiliarwithtraditionalmethodsusedtoraisemoneyforschoolsandsportsteams.Tiredoftheamountoftimeandenergyinvolved,shebelievedtherecouldbeabetterwaytogive.Heranswer:shopandshare.ca,whichcombinescharitablegivingwithonlineshopping.
In2009,helpedbyapart-timeprogrammerandpart-timecommunicationsspecialist,Skrilec(Management’94)launchedshopandshare.ca.WhetherbookingatripthroughExpediaorbuyingabarbecuethroughHomeDepot–twoofthe150participatingretailers–customerscanmaketheirpurchasesthroughSkrilec’ssiteandsupportthenon-profitorcharityoftheirchoiceatnoextracost.Theretailer,whichdecidesitslevelofsupport,thensendsthatamounttoshopandshare.ca,whichdonateshalftothenon-profit(theotherhalfhelpspaystaffandrunthesite).
Retailersbenefitfromjoiningthesitebecauseit’sanothermarketingtool,anopportunityforsalesandforenablingcorporatesocialresponsibility.
Skrilec,aseasonedentrepreneurandformerbookkeeperwhoworksfromherCalgary-areahomeoffice,currentlyhas2,200registeredshoppersandhasgeneratedapproximately$3,000forthemorethan300charities.Sheplanstoexpandtoincludegasolineandgrocerygiftcards,with3,000charitiesandnon-profitsinvolvedthisyear,and10,000bytheendof2014.Thiswouldallowformoreofherfavouritepartofthebusiness:writingthedonationcheques.
“I’msoamazedatthegreatworkpeoplearedoingintheirowncommunities.Thatissuchamotivatortobeabletohelpthemcontinue,”Skrilecsays.
— Fiona Bensler
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innearly50yearsofcompetition,theOokshaveneverbeensogood.Sogood,infact,thatit’seasytooverlookthefactthatthetimingoftheir
successisn’tideal.Lastseasonwasareturntotheglorydaysofthe
mid-1980s,whenthemen’shockeyteam–hairwornparteddownthecentre,moustacheswithoutirony–dominatedprovinciallyandnationallyandheldtheirownagainsttheUniversityofAlbertaGoldenBearsinexhibitionplay.Actually,2012-13wasbetterthanthat.Men’shockeyendedits17-yearchampionshipdrought,but,unlikethepast,whenonlytheirsoccercounterpartskeptpace,it’snotsolonelyatthetopanymore.After11ofNAIT’s12teamsadvancedtopost-season,theyreturnedwith12provincialandsevennationalmedals(morethanhalfthehaulwasgold)inhockey,soccer,basketball,volleyballandbadminton–mostofthemachievedbythewomen.
Collectively,theOoksmayhavefinallyfoundtheirwings,thankstoamaturedathleticsprogramthatembraceseverysportandbothgendersandgiveseachofitsstudentathletesanequalopportunitytofly,sotospeak.
Forsomestudents,thatkindofsuccessisinjeopardy.TheAlbertaCollegesAthleticConference(ACAC),whichhoststheOoks,hassufferedasetbackwiththelossoftwoofitsbiggestmembers.In2012,itlostco-founderMountRoyalUniversitytotheCanadaWestuniversitiesathleticassociation.MacEwanUniversityfollowsinpartin2014.Bothlossesseriouslydiminishthekindofcompetitionthatstrengthenscharacter,drawscrowds,buildscampuscommunityanddevelopsexceptionalstudentathletes.
SherriBowles,forwardwiththewomen’shockeyteam,isoneofthese.Forhelpingtoleadthe2012-13squadtoitsfirstACACgold-medal,thefourth-yearbusinessstudentwasheapedwithaccolades:thetitleofACACfemalehockeyplayeroftheyear;aplaceintheseason’srecordbooksfor16goalsin18games;andNAIT’sawardforfemaleathleteoftheyear.Notbadfora23-year-oldfromtinyElkhorn,ManitobawhocreditstheOoksfornotjuston-iceimprovements,butforeasingthetransitiontoindependentadulthood,rifewithresponsibilityandbill-paying.“ComingherewasoneofthebestdecisionsImade,”saysBowles.
story by scott messenger
Photos by bLaIse van maLsen
the venerated alberta colleges athletic conference is changing, leaving some to wonder if it’s time for a shakeup.
for the love of the game
featured Alumni
kai Dan,Management’13
kevin martin, PetroleumEngineeringTechnology’87,Top50Alumnus
v7.1 2013 27 v7.1 2013 27
for the love of the game
for sherri bowles, participating in aCaC athletics has contributed to her personal development on and off the ice.
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15 LEfT WiNG
S h e r r i B o w l e s
2012-13 Regular season stats
games played
18
goals
16
assists
11
Points
27
Penalty minutes
16
Power-play goals
3
short-handed goals 2
game-winning goals 4
TheonlyreasonthatisstillthecaseisbecausehersportnarrowlyavoidedeliminationfromtheACAC.ThewomenareguaranteedtoskateatNAITforthenexttwoyearsonlybecauseMacEwan’shockeyteamsdidn’tmaketheCanadaWestcut,savingthewomen’sleaguefromdwindlingfromfourteamstothreeand,underconferencerules,folding.
UntilMacEwan’sbidtomoveissuccessful–possiblyasearlyas2016-17–thewomencompeteonborrowedtime.
“Itrynottothinkaboutitbecauseitjustmakesmesad,”saysBowles,forcingaweaksmile.
Now,justasNAIThopestoembarkonanewgoldenageofstudentathletics,theconferenceithelpedfoundmayhavetoreviseitsgameplan,evenifthatmeansceasingtoexistasweknowit.
“we’reanexampleofanorganizationthat’sfacingchallengesbecauseoftheperiodoftransitionthatwe’reinnow,”saysRobertDay,ACACgeneralmanager.HisattempttoseethegoodinthedeparturesofMountRoyalandMacEwan,schoolsthathadteamsinalmostallACACsports,hardlycountershisdisappointment.
“Itprovidesopportunityforothermemberstocomeforward,butwepayahugepriceforthatopportunity.”
Theconferencehasalwaysbeenamorphousbynature,expanding,contractingandshiftingwithchangesintheprovincialpost-secondarycommunityitserves.
SinceitsbirthastheWesternInter-CollegeConferencein1964–essentiallyabasketballleaguewithahandfulofexhibitionsportsforAlberta’sfivemaincollegesoftheday,includingNAIT–ithasseenschoolscomeandgo,andcomeagain,asbudgetsandstudentinterestdictated.Today,17schools,withstudentbodiesrangingfromafewhundredfull-timerstowellover10,000,competeinninesports(noschoolcompetesineverysport),makingtheACAConeofCanada’slargest–and,onthewhole,healthiest–conferences,afterthoseinOntarioandQuebec.ButDaybelievestherecentchangesaredifferent.“Fromyourstronger,largermemberscomesyourstrengthasanorganization.”
HecreditsNAITasoneofthoseyet,atthesametime,worriesaboutjusthowdominantNAITmightbecome.
WhenLindaHendersontookoverastheinstitute’sdirectorofathleticsin2008,sheconvincedsenioradministrationtofundsixfull-timecoachesinmen’sandwomen’sbasketball,volleyballandhockey.Shewantedtoelevatetheprogramateverylevel:morechampionships,morescholarships,betterfacilities,strongerstudentattraction,morecommunityinvolvementandbetterstudentathletegrades.“Ithinkwecanbeleadersinallofthosethings,”saysHendersontoday.
Herprogramisaworkinprogressbut,alongtheway,itproducedahandfulofteamsworthyofMountRoyal,aperennialpowerhouse.Now,inmostsports,NAITmustlooktoSAITandRedDeerCollegeforitsrivalries.
“I’mnotsureinthelongrunhowhealthythatisforthecompetitivebalanceandthesuccessoftheleague,”saysDay.Inhisview,fundingdifferencescreateanunevenplayingfield,turningtheissueintoaresourcesgame.Basedonsizealone,NAIThasanaturaladvantage.
“Howcanotherprogramskeepup?”
recentsuccessesaside,NAIThasn’toutgrowntheconference.Bowles’ssquadmayhavepoundedSAITonenight7-0,butthey’dtakea9-3losstoRedDeer(whoputuparespectablefightintheprovincialfinals)aweeklater.Othertimes,winsagainstcellar-dwellingteamshighlightedweaknesses:“Sometimesyoujustfalldowntotheirlevel,”saysBowles.“You’reexpectedtobeatthem10-nothingbutyouwin2-1.”
Eveniftheycan’tmatchNAIT’sfull-timecoachinginitiative,otherconferencemembersremain,fornow,fullycapableofcompeting.Intheirfirstyearintheleague,theOldsCollegeBroncostookthewomen’sbasketballtitle(thenbronzeatnationals).Overthelast20years,RedDeerhasbeentheteamtobeatinmen’svolleyball.Andshouldmoreschoolsjoinfutsal,akindofindoorsoccer,they’llhaveKeyanoCollegetocontendwith,leagueleaderssincethesport’sinceptiontwoyearsback.
“ cominG hErE wAs onE of thE bEst dEcisions i mAdE.”
Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/ ooks-2012-13.htmforthehighlightsofthe2012-13record-breakingseason.
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ThatthisdeprivesNAIToftrophiesisactuallyagoodthing.AccordingtoDay,onemember’sdominanceinasportcandissuadetheentryofnewmembersworriedtheycan’tcompete,leavingtheconferencevulnerabletothecutsnowthreateninghockeyandleavingstudentathleteswithanumbingsenseofdéjàvu.(“Itdoessuckwhenyou’replayingthesameteamoverandoveragain,”saysBowles,“butI’dratherplaythesameteamthannotplayatall.”)Rightnow,theACAC–whichhostswell-subscribedbasketball,volleyballandsoccerleagues–couldfollowtherecentexitswithagrowthspurt,asbothAmbroseUniversityCollegeandSt.Mary’sUniversityCollegeconsiderexpandingtheirsportsprograms.
Likely,bothwouldtaketimetodevelopintowell-roundedcompetitors–particularlyinbasketball,
volleyballandsoccer–whichiswhyDaywelcomesanotherpossibilityfortheconference:amalgamatewithCanadaWesttocreateanational,tieredconference,allowingschoolstocompeteatthelevelthatsuitsthem.NAITcouldregularlyplaytheUofA,orrekindleitsrivalrywithMountRoyal.ButCanadianInteruniversitySport(CanadaWest’sparentorganization)maynotbeinterestedinwhatDayseesastheremovalofanartificialbarrier.Inhisview,there’saclassseparationbetweentheconferences.Amergermighteliminatethat,andenhanceathlete,andthereforestudent,development.
“Wewouldn’tworryaboutthativorytoweropinionthatsaysyoucouldneverplayinCanadaWestbecauseyourstudentsaretechnicalstudentsandthey’redifferentfromuniversitystudents,”saysDay.“I’maPhDand,frankly,Ithinkthat’salotofBS.”
ToP of their gamenait has had a role in developing some of the canada’s best athletes. here’s a look.
the pinnacle of nait’s 1980s hockey dynasty came with this men’s squad,
which achieved the near impossible: a perfect season. in fact, the winning
streak stretched from the previous season and through the 1984-85
provincial and national playoffs (which they won, of course), ending at 51
consecutive wins and earning them, in 2012, a spot in the alberta hockey hall
of fame. read more at techlifemag.ca/ooks-hockey-perfect-season.htm.
1984-85ookS MEN’S HoCkEy
even if it would have been a good back-up plan in alberta, top 50 alum
Kevin martin never did need his Petroleum engineering technology
diploma (class of ’87). instead, he went on to become one of the world’s
top curlers, thanks in large part to nait coach jules owchar. read more
at techlifemag.ca/kevin-martin-jules-owchar.htm.
kevinMARTiN
after joining nait’s Personal fitness trainer program in 2011, team
canada’s shannon szabados signed on as the men’s hockey starting
goaltender. last year, she helped the team take gold and secured a spot
in the record books with the lowest goals-against average in conference
history. read more at techlifemag.ca/shannon-szabados.htm.
Kai dan’s time growing up away from home in chinese “badminton”
schools paid off. after he came to canada in 2007, the management
grad (class of ’13) went on to become nait’s most decorated athlete,
with five national titles in men’s singles badminton. read more at
techlifemag.ca/dan-kai-badminton.htm.
shannonSZABADoS
kaiDAN
innovAte
30 techlifemag.ca
Web ExtraHowdidLindaHendersonreinventNAIT’sathletics
program?Visittechlifemag.ca/linda-henderson-ooks.htmtofindout.
inhisnewroleasCEOofCanadianInteruniversitySport,thecountry’sgoverningbodyforuniversityathletics,PierreLafontainehas,inessence,asolitaryobjective:“Ineedtomaketheexperienceofthestudentathletesintheuniversitysystemmagical.”
First,though,heneedstogetthehouseinorder,whichtohimmeanscreatingbetternationalchampionshipevents,improvingthestudentathletesupportsystemandimprovingrelationshipswithhismemberleagues,CanadaWestincluded.
Italsomeansreachingouttothecollegesystem–toapoint.Fortheforeseeablefuture,Lafontainedoesn’tseecombiningthecollegiateanduniversitysystemsintoanationaltieredconferenceasbeingpartofthemagicmaking.“I’mnotsureIlikethewordamalgamation,”hesays.“I’mnotsureit’sevenonthetable.”
Buthe’dstillliketobuildarelationshipthatmaynothaveexistedinthepast.Hebelievestherearesynergiestoberealizedwithcollegiateconferencesandbestpracticestobeexchanged.Intheend,simplecommunicationmightbehowtheorganizationsachieveacommongoal.“Howdoweusesportanduniversityinfrastructuretosupporttheseworld-classpeoplewhowillbecometomorrow’sleaders?”asksLafontaine.th
e n
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thatsamekindofstudentdevelopmentisthereasonDr.GlennFeltham,NAITpresidentandCEO,defendstheathleticsprogram.Whenquestionedwhethertheschoolwillcontinuetofunditsfull-timecoachingprogramdespiterecentgovernmentbudgetcuts,hedoesn’thesitatewithayes.
“Idon’tthinkthisinvestmentisaluxury,”saysFeltham.“Whilewe’reinatimeofconstraintandwehavetobeverycarefulofhowwespendourdollars,ourathleticsinvestmentiscoretothatbroaderstudentexperience….Competitioncanbringoutthebestinourstudentathletesandbeanenormoussenseofprideforallofourstudentsandstaff.”
Otherschoolsareapparentlyofthesamemind.Sincethecuts,onehaswithdrawnteams,saysHenderson,butnoneoftheremainingteams,inherview,aresoonlikelytodepart.What’smore,shefelt
therewasrealinterest(evenifnonehaddonesobythissummer)fromschoolstotakeadvantageofACACseedmoneytohelpcoverthecostsofenteringwomen’shockey,givingherhope.
Thatallowsherandherstafftofocusontherealbusinessofpost-secondaryathletics.Atthislevelofsport,winningisfarfromeverything;successforstudentathletesisholistic.“Youwantthemtogoawayfromthisexperienceandthinkfondlyofwhattheylearnedaboutleadershipandtimemanagementandcollaboration–andalsotohaveaneducationthatwillfinanciallysupportthem.”
Bowles,whosefocusishumanresources,iscomfortableknowingthatshe’shedgingherbetsonafutureinhockeywithadegreethatcomeswithanearly90percentemploymentrate.ShouldherhopetolandaspotintheCanadianWomen’sHockeyLeaguenotworkout,sheisn’tworried.“Ican’tjustcountonhockey,”shesays.
Inthemeantime,though,she’sgoingtogiveitherall.ThreemonthsfromthestartofherfourthseasonwiththeOoks,ontheswelteringsummerdayofourinterview,she’dratherbeinskates.“I’vebeenreadytoplayforthepastmonth,”shesays.Infact,she’sbecomesoattachedtotheOoks,andtoNAIT,thatshe’swonderinghowtotackonanotheryearofschooltomakethemostofthefive-yearlimitincollegeanduniversityathletics.Forallshehaslearnedinthesethreeyearsaboutthegame,andforwhatthegamehastaughtheraboutherself,shecan’timaginehavingtogiveitallupanysoonerthannecessary.
“I’llprobablybeherefiveyears,”shesays.“AndthosewillbethebestfiveyearsI’veeverexperienced.”
linda henderson, director of athletics and recreation
v7.1 2013 31
innovAte coveR stoRy
32 techlifemag.ca
ok, maybe this isn’t so easy. but serial startup builder ashif mawji has set a shining example. now it’s up to the rest of edmonton’s new venture community to follow his lead.
in five easy stepsbUild an entrePreneUrial ecosystem
story by scott messenger
Photos by bLaIse van maLsen
IllustrAtIoNs by JennIFer LubrIn
featured Alumni
tiffany Linke-boyko,Management’07
ashif mawji, ComputerSystemsTechnology’92,Top50Alumnus
tracey scarlett, MedicalLaboratoryTechnology’87,Top50Alumna
Fred thompson,Management’12
v7.1 2013 33
in five easy stepsbUild an entrePreneUrial ecosystem
ashif maji at startup edmonton, a non-profit that he helps finance and where he serves as a mentor.
innovAte • cover story
34 techlifemag.ca
Ashifmawji’sparentsdon’treallyunderstandwhathedoesforaliving.It’snotbecausetheydon’tcare.Onthecontrary:hisdadclippedall
thenewspaperarticleshissonturnedupinovertheyears.“Buthestilldidn’tknowwhatIdid,”saysMawji,betweensipsofchocolatyfrappuccinoshortlyafter9a.m.onerecent,chillysummermorning.
That’sbecauseMawji(ComputerSystemsTechnology’92)isanentrepreneur–aprofessionmadeslightlymorenebulousbythefactthat,atjust41,healreadyqualifiesasaserialentrepreneur.Heonlystayswithsomethinguntilhe’ssatisfiedwiththeresultsandreadytomoveon,whichaddstomomanddad’sconfusion.Asofthisyear,Mawjiisonhisthirdbusiness,NPOZero,whichprovidesaccounting,marketingandHRservicestonot-for-profitoutfits,allowingthemtotrimoverheadandoperatemoreefficiently.Hewouldn’thavestruggledtobootstrapthisone.UpsideSoftware,hispreviouscontractmanagementventureofmorethanadecade,soldforsomewhereintheneighbourhoodof$30million.Hewasthemajorityshareholder.
IfthetruenatureofMawji’scalling–thestartingandbuildingofbusinessesaswellasoperatingthose
businesses–wouldsurprisehisfamily,itslocationmightsurprisetherestofus.AftergrowingupinKenyaandtravellingtheworldforwork,MawjiadamantlydefendsEdmontonashisbusinessbase.Inhisview,thecapitalcity,perhapstoolongthoughtofasagovernmenttownorgatewaytoAlberta’soilandgasindustry,isastartuphotspotthathasallthemakingsofatech-bizmeccaliketheSanFranciscoBayarea.Itmightnotbeasbalmy,butthesolutiontothatissimple.“We’vegotanairport,”hesays.
Thesedays,thecityhasmorethananairportthatmakesitgreatforembryonicenterprises.Foranyonelookingtomaketheleapfromarmchairentrepreneurtotherealdeal,nowisthetimetocapitalize.NotonlyisMawjiproofitcanbedone,buthe’sactivelysupportingnewresourcestocreatenewlocalsuccessstories.Forthosewhosaygapsremaininthesupportsystem–gapsthatmightbepreventingonegenerationfromenthusiasticallyencouragingthenexttofollowthroughonarevenue-generating,job-creating,tax-base-buildingidea–you’reright.But,bythelooksofthings,we’regettingthere,learningtobuildanidealentrepreneurialecosystem,onestepatatime.
nothingbeginswithoutaneed.Thatneed,andhowitissatisfied,isthebedrockofasuccessfulstartup.“Alotoftimesitwillcomerightinfrontofyou,”saysMawji.
“Unlessyou’retaughthowtocapitalizeonit,youmightjustletitgo.”
Mawji–whoblinkssorarelyduringconversationthatyoumaybelieveittobetheskillthatkeepshimfrommissingopportunities–doesn’tmissopportunities.Asakid,he’dsellwatchesonconsignmentatweekendtradeshowsinNairobi.Aboothcost100shillings,about$10,andwhateverdidn’tsellwentbacktohissupplier.AsasalesmanagerforHonda,hisdadtravelled.YoungMawjitaggedalong,pickingupCommodore64sinLondonandsellingtheminKenya,wherecomputerswereahotcommodity.Thiswasallbornofneed–mostlyhisown.
“‘Youcanhaveanythingyouwant,’”Mawjirecallshisparentssaying,“‘butyouhavetopayforit.’SoIlookedaroundtoseewhatotherpeoplewant.”
steP 1 learn to act onoPPortUnities
Nothinghaschanged.Mawjistillmakesopportunitieslooklikemoneyinthebank.UpsideSoftwarecameaboutin2000when,indealingswithhispreviouscompany,anITconsultancy,herecognizedhowhecouldsavecorporationsmillionsbymanagingtheircontracts.NPOZeroarosefromobservationsasanon-profitboardmemberovertheyears(forNAITfrom2004-10,forexample,and,morerecently,fortheStolleryChildren’sHospitalFoundationandKidsCottage).
“IfoundthatNGOswereverypassionateandwanteddesperatelytodotherightthing.Theissuewastheydidn’thaveenoughmoneytohireanyoneformarketing,forexample.”Hecouldprovidethat,makingabusinessofenablinggreatergoodand“leavingtheworldinabetterplacethanIfoundit.”
Alongtheway,hehasappliedthatphilosophytothebusinesscommunity,takingadvantageofthechancetoguideotherEdmontonstartupsfromideatoincome.
v7.1 2013 35
themercerbuilding,indowntownEdmonton’sheritagewarehousedistrict,isafinebitofinfrastructure.Builtin1911tohousemerchantJohnMercer’sinventoryofliquorandcigars,thebuildingisbrightandopen,allexposedbeamsanddistressedbrick,shrunkenfloorboards,andnakedplumbingandductwork.Fortheentrepreneurialcommunity,it’smadefinerbybeinghometoStartupEdmonton,anon-profitthatMawjihelpsfinanceandwhereheservesasamentor.
Atanygivenhour,thereareahandfulofnewbusinessownershere,workingtoturnstartups(ineverythingfromappstomediatocustomboots)intoself-sustaining,profitableventures.Tohelpthem,StartupEdmontonkeepsrentaffordableand,inadditiontovariousbusinessdevelopmentprograms,providesnewbieswithacommunitytokeepthemfocused.Then,basically,ittriestomovethemouttomakeroomforthenextclient.“Wewanttoseeanincreaseinentrepreneurs,sothatintheendthestartupcommunity
steP 2 bUild theinfrastrUctUre
willhavegrownandbemuchsturdier,”sayschiefoperatingofficertiffany Linke-Boyko(Management’07).
Shebelievesnascentbusinesshasbeenoverlooked,despitethefactthatitgrowstoprovideabouthalfofCanada’semployment,roughly30percentofitsGDPandabout25percentofitsexports.
Thecontributioncouldbebiggerstill,shefigures.“WhoknowswherethenextGoogle”–(roughly45,000full-timeemployees,marketcaparound$300billion)–
“willcomefrom.”Inherview,creatingmorecompaniesbooststheoddsthatitmightcomefromhere.
It’snotoutofthequestion.Mawji’spreviouscompany,Upside,isnoGooglebutitwasrecognizedasagloballeaderincontractmanagement.“Wewererankednumber1,”hesays.“Itwasunheardofforacompanyoursize.Andwedidthatallfromhere.”AndwithoutthehelpofanorganizationlikeStartupEdmonton.Thistime,forNPOZero,hehasdeskspaceinacornerjustoffthecommunalkitchenandawashinnaturallight.
on entrepreneurism
“Personally,IthinkEdmontonismoreaware[today]oftheneedfordiversification.Weareveryoilandgas–weallknowit.”
–TiffanyLinke-BoykoChiefOperatingOfficeStartupEdmonton
“Some[students]tellme‘OnethingI’velearnedisthatIneverwanttostartabusiness.’Probably,someofthemshouldn’tand,probably,I’vedonemyduty.”
–JayKryslerInstructorJRShawSchoolofBusiness
“[In]Alberta,wehavegreatideas.Weknowwherewewanttogo,butwe’reafraid.That’stheproblem.We’renotrisktakers.We’reconservative.”
–AshifMawjiPresidentandCEONPOZero
“Ifwecancreatethebaselinecapacity,studentsleaveourinstitutionandstartnewventures,whichcreatesabroaderinterestinthelaunchofnewventures,whichinturnputstheinterestbackintoourstudents.Thatbecomesavirtuouscircle.”
–Dr.NeilFassinaProvostandVPAcademicNAIT
innovAte • cover story
36 techlifemag.ca
“when’sthelasttimeyouheardaparentsaytotheirsonordaughter,‘I’dlikeyoutobeanentrepreneur’?”saysMawji.“Youhear,‘I’dlikeyoutobeadoctororteacherorengineerorwhatever.’Isitsuchabadthingtobeanentrepreneur?Itisn’t.There’snoeducationaroundit.”
Dr.NeilFassina,provostandvice-presidentacademic,isworkingtochangethatatNAIT.“WehaveanopportunitytobuildentrepreneurialcapacityunlikeanyothersupportunitinnorthernAlberta,”hesays.Thismeansactivelyencouragingstudentstoconsidertheprofession,andmakingthemfamiliarwiththeentirecycle:“Wethinkaboutthatserialentrepreneurwhostarts,succeeds,exits,restarts,succeeds,exits.”Thisisacraft,saysFassina,anditdeservesaformaleducation.TheproposedEntrepreneurshipandNewVentureInstitute–whichMawjiandotherlocalentrepreneursarehelpingtoshape–wouldturnthestartupintoa
steP 3 change theedUcation system
recognizedandmuchmorecommoncareerpath.Onereasonthismaynothavehappenedalready,
andperhapswhyparentshavebeenworriedaboutseeminglywaywardbutactuallyenterprisingchildren,isthatthepathfromschooltostartupisn’ttracked,saysJayKrysler,JRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorofentrepreneurship.HowmanyofAlberta’spost-secondarygradscreatebusinesses?Howmanysucceed?Withoutthestats,perhapsthebestquestionstostartwitharequalitativeratherthanquantitative.Whatwouldbetheimpactofformaltraining?Howwoulditaffecttheeconomy?
Fornow,theanswerisaneducated“Let’ssee.”Risk,afterall,canbecalculated.“Youwanttoencouragepeopletostartandthenseewherethatleadsthem,”saysKrysler.AsMawjimightagree,theydon’tallneedtobedoctorsandlawyersandsuch.
Aspartofanentrepreneurshipcourse,JRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorJayKrysleraskshisstudentstoturna$5loanintoaprofitableventure.Here’showitworks:
• Studentshavesevenweeks
• Venturesmustbelegal
• Personalassetsmaybeusedbutmustbereplenished
• Customerscannotberelativesoremployers
• Totalclassprofitsaredonatedtoaregisteredcharitypickedbythemanageroftheprojectwiththehighestprofit
• The$5loanmustberepaid
RecentwinnerFred thompson(Management’12)generated$748byrentingatheatretoshowThe Lorax.Asaresult,totalclassprofitsof$4,287wenttoRighttoPlayInternational.
the $5 Challenge
v7.1 2013 37
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overtheyearsasceoofAlbertaWomenEntrepreneurs,tracey scarletthasshiftedtheemphasisfromstartuptoscale-up.“Thereisnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttostartbusinesses.Ithinkourproblemishowwebuildbusinessesofsignificanceandsustainability,”saysScarlett(MedicalLaboratoryTechnology’87).
Thepointwhenmanybusinessesfail,shesays,isexitingtheincubationphase–aperiodsupportedbynotjustStartupEdmonton,butSt.Albert’sNorthernAlbertaBusinessIncubator,TECEdmonton,EdmontonResearchPark,theNationalInstituteofNanotechnology,andNAIT,throughitsDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovationanditsSt.Albertincubationfacility.Formarginalcompanies,sheexplains,goingitalonemeanssuddenlytakingonspecializedlegal,accountingandothercostswhilestilltryingtogrowrevenues.“Thefocusonstartupprobablyiscounterproductivetowhatwe’rereallytryingtoachieve.”
steP 4 mindthe gaP
Instead,she’dliketofosterscale-upbyintegratingnewercompaniesintolocalsupplychains.Bigcorporationsandgovernmentneedsstuff;whycan’treputablesmallandmedium-sizedcompaniessupplyit?“Younotonlyfindthatyousavemoneyinyoursupplychain,”saysScarlett,“yougetthecreativityandinnovationoflocalbusinessesthatcanthengrowtobeinternationalbusinesses.”ConstructiongiantPCLdidthatwhilebasedinEdmonton,shepointsout,andsodidprofessionalservicesconsultantStantec.
Thoseparticularsuccessstoriesarealargepartofthereasonthat“thereneedstoberecognitionofthissector–thatthisiswhereeconomicvalueiscreated.Youneedtohaveastrongstartupcommunity,”shesays,“butwe’vealreadygotthat.”
“there is no shortage of PeoPle Who Want to start bUsinesses. i think oUr Problem is hoW We bUild bUsinesses of significance and sUstainability.”
–TRACEYSCARLETTCEO,ALBERTAWOMENENTREPRENEURS
innovAte • cover story
38 techlifemag.ca
thissummer,npozerowasatfourfull-timeemployeeswhileMawjitriedtolimitoperationstoEdmontonclientsuntilhehadsatisfactoryproofofconcept.Nextyear,orevenbytheendofthisifdemandbecomestoogreat,he’llextendservicestoCalgary,thentheU.S.ComparedtoUpsideatthesamepointofdevelopment,NPOZeroisalreadybigger,andgrowingfaster.
AsfocusedasMawjiisonthepresent,hisworkisaninvestmentinthefuture.Healreadyhasanexitstrategybutitdoesnotleadtoretirement.There’sanotherstartuponthehorizon.“Idon’tknowwhatyetbutIwilldosomething–somethingcompletelydifferent.”
What’smore,he’lldoithere,becauseofthetalentandproductivityofthepeople,thereasonablecostsofdoingbusinessandthefactthat,really,thewinter’sonlyunbearableafewweeksoutoftheyear.“ThereisnoplacelikeEdmonton,”hesays.
GettingthatmessageacrosstolocalmoversandshakersmaybeessentialtothefutureofEdmonton,andAlberta,too.“Theentrepreneurialaspirationisquite
steP 5 reaP thereWards
embeddedinourculture,”saysScarlett.Tomodelandnurturethatistolaythefoundationfordiversity,whichmakesgoodbusinesssense.“It’shedgingbets,”saysMawji.“Whenyouinvestinthemarketyoudon’tputeverythingingold.”Orotherresources,forthatmatter.
Forallofthistosucceed,therewardscanstillbeindividualratherthancivic,buttheyhavetobemuchlesstangiblethanmostmightexpect.BeforejoiningNAIT,JayKryslerstudiedentrepreneurshipasaconsultant.Inoneinstance,hefoundthatjustthreepercentofsuccessfulstartupsweredrivenbywantofcash.Incontrast,profitmotivatedathirdofthosethatfailed.
“Youhavetohaveapassion,”saysKrysler.“That’swhatwegetthestudentstounderstand.”
Mawjigetsthat.Hisnextventuremaybeamysterybutitwillsatisfytworequirements.One,itwillpresenttheopportunityforbroadsocialimpact.Two,he’lllovedoingit.
“Idon’tdoanythingunlessI’mhavingfun,”hesays.“Moneyisnevergoingtodriveme.Ibelievethatifit’sfun,therestfallsintoplace.”
Whyisthecapitalcitygoodforbusiness?Letuscountsomeoftheways:
skilledworkforceEdmontonishometosomeofAlberta’slargestpost-secondaryinstitutes,includingNAIT,whichtogetherproducethousandsofnewgraduateseachyear.
proximitytotheoilsandsBecauseofthenearly170billionbarrelsofoilburiedinthenorthernhalfoftheprovince,Edmontonisgeographicallypositionedasalogisticsandsupplyhub.
strongeconomicindicatorsEdmontonisgrowing.GDPisexpectedtobeat2012’smarkbythreepercent.Populationisgrowingsteadily,andhousingstartsandbuildingpermitsarebacktopre-recessionlevels,accordingtocityeconomists.Retailsalesalsocontinuetogrow.
lowtaxesAstrumpetedbyEdmontonEconomicDevelopment:“Wehavenoprovincialsalestax,thelowestoverallpersonalincometaxesinCanada,lowcorporateincometaxes,nocapitaltax,nopayrolltax,nomachinerytaxandnoequipmenttax.”
edmonton: open for business
v7.1 2013 39
NAIT’s JR Shaw School of Business supports leaders and entrepreneurs. We promise relevant knowledge, real skills and rewarding careers to our students in business programs. We deliver on that promise every day.
As a leading polytechnic, NAIT offers hands-on, technology-based learning. We work with industry to solve real-world problems and build new ventures. We meet current and emerging needs with career-ready grads and applied business solutions. Essential to Alberta, our programs inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and innovators.
TO BUSINESSnait.ca/business
Techlife –Fall 20137.25” by 4.75”, full colour
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Visit nait.ca/alumniawards, email us at alumni@nait.ca, or call 780.471.8539
Submit your Nomination by December 31
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FOR ALIFETIMEwww.nait.ca/alumniOOK
Spirit of NAIT Alumni AwardRecognizes remarkable achievements earned by a NAIT Alum within 12 years of graduation.
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Do you know a NAIT graduate whose achievements make you want to stand and cheer? NAIT celebrates successful alumni with two awards that recognize achievement
innovAte
BLooD HouNDSnait and edmonton police service combine forces for animal health.
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maverick, a member of the edmonton police service canine unit, gave blood at nait’s animal blood bank.
40 techlifemag.ca
v7.1 2013 41
maverickhasahigh-riskjob.AsamemberoftheEdmontonPoliceServicecanineunit,thefour-year-oldGermanShepherdmaybecalledupontoprotectEdmontoniansbytrackingthieves,sniffingoutillegaldrugsandjumpingfencestoapprehendsuspects.
Thisspring,healsohelpedfellowcaninesbydonatingbloodatNAIT.WithCanada’sdogpopulationexceedingfivemillionin2011,
caninebloodisinchronicshortsupply.NAIT’sAnimalBloodBank–Alberta’sonlycollectionsitefortheCanadianAnimalBloodBankinWinnipeg–workstoensuredogssufferingfromanemia,injuriesorwhoneedcancertreatmentsandothermajorsurgicalprocedureshaveaccesstoblood.“Wearealwaysinneedofdonors,”saysanimalhealthinstructorshauna Lesick(AnimalHealthTechnology’86),whovolunteerswiththedonorprogram.
Thisspring,Maverickwasoneofseveralpolicedogsthatdonatedoveratwo-weekperiod.Heremainedcalmashewaspreppedforthe15-minuteprocedure.HispartnerandhandlerConst.MurrayBurkeheldhisheadwhenLesickdrewaunitofblood,roughly450millilitres,withthehelpofstudentsfromtheAnimalHealthTechnologyandVeterinaryMedicalAssistantprograms.
After,Maverickwelcomedtherewardtreats.“Treatsareimportant.Wewanthimtocomebackandgiveagain,”Lesicksays.
Thedonations–morethan2,000since2001–arecollectedatNAITandsenttoWinnipegwheretheyareseparatedintobloodtypesandshippedacrossCanada.
“It’sanimportantcause,”saysBurke.“Ifmypoliceservicedogwastoeverrequirebloodbecauseofaninjury,Iwouldhopetherewasanadequatesupplyavailable.”Maverickwillbearegulardonor,andBurkeplanstohavehisowndogdonatebloodaswell.
— Nancy McGuire
give fRoM the heARtIfyourdogis:
• onetosixyearsold
• healthy
• even-tempered
• 23kilogramsor heavier(butnotobese)
• properlyvaccinated
sheorheiseligibletodonateatNAIT’sAnimalBloodBank.
Call 780.491.1324 fordetails.
Const. murray burke helps as nait students and staff draw a pint of blood (below) from his partner, maverick.
... is U!
All that’s missing...
Look us up when you graduate!
www.spartancontrols.com
PeoPle
GoLDbest of
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v7.1 2013 43
ifyou’relookingfortheworld’sbestairconditioningandrefrigerationmechanic,you’llfindhiminGrandePrairie.ForCanada’sbestyoungcabinetmaker,tryanindustrialparkinPonoka.Nearly40kilometres
north,inWetaskiwin,there’sanautomotivemechanicwithsimilarbraggingrights.Hinton’syourspotfortop-notchautobodypainting,andEdmontonforsheetmetal.
Howdoweknow?WorldSkills2013,aninternationalcompetitionwidelyregardedastheOlympicsofthetrades,toldusso.Lastyear,NAITapprenticestooktopspotsatSkillsCanadatoearnfiveofthe32spotsonTeamCanada–morethananyotherpost-secondaryinstituteinthe
country.ThisJuly,theyheadedtoLeipzig,Germanytotestthemselvesagainsttechniciansandbuildersfrom52countriesandregions.One,MichaelScheideman,returnedwithagoldmedalandCanada’s“BestofNation”title.
“Ourbeststudentsabsolutelycompetewiththeverybestintheworld,”saysDr.GlennFeltham,NAITpresidentandCEO.What’smore,theyrepresentthepowerofpolytechniceducation.“Theytrulydoreflectthelevelofourprograms.”
Andso,too,dotheyrepresenttheleveloftalentfoundscatteredacrossAlberta–ifyouknowwheretolook.MeetTeamNAIT.
story by scott messenger
Photos by bLaIse van maLsen
best in clAss
“ school and learning from somebody at Work can only take yoU so far. Working With my trainers and going overseas, yoU jUst learn so mUch more.”
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nin
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ael s
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An
|
Age: 22
hoMetown: grande Prairie
eMPloyeR: albright refrigeration, grande Prairie
event: refrigeration and air conditioning
coAch: sean donnan (refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic ’12), Worldskills 2011 competitor
Age when intRoDUceD to the tRADe: 14
fAvoURite PARt of the job: the variety – he’ll fix air con systems in giant mining trucks one day, home units the next
oDDbAll AccoMPlishMent: transforming an old golf cart into an atv – “it does 50 miles an hour.”
“ everything comes doWn to ProPer PreParation before yoU Paint. everything else is jUst gUn control and techniQUe. it has to come natUrally. yoU can’t force it.”
med
allion of
PeoPle
44 techlifemag.ca
tyleR h
oR
e | aU
to b
od
y techn
ician
Age: 21
hoMetown: hinton
eMPloyeR: apex auto body, hinton
event: car Painting
coAch: jason cumby, production manager, apex auto body
hiDDen tAlent: drawing
lAtest new AUto boDy skill: air-brushing
woRlDskills life lesson: over-coming shyness
Age: 21
hoMetown: millet
eMPloyeR: j&e motors, Wetaskiwin
event: automobile technology
coAch: rob Prediger, associate chair, automotive service technician
coMPetitive ADvAntAge: an ability to think through problems quickly, says Prediger
fAvoURite tAsk: troubleshooting
Pet PRoject: restoring a 1970 ford half-ton
“ cars tell yoU a lot more information than they Used to aboUt Where to find the Problem and fix it. bUt there are the times When they don’t, and that shoWs Where the real technicians come in.”
tyleR kenyon | aUto service technician
v7.1 2013 45 v7.1 2013 45
nolAn sPAk | sheet metal Worker
Age: 22
hoMetown: edmonton
eMPloyeR: always Plumbing & heating, edmonton
event: sheet metal technology
coAch: grant Craplewe (sheet metal Worker ‘98), instructor, sheet metal Worker, nait
ReAson he loves the tRADe: the variety of applications, from heavy industry to homes and small businesses
woRlDskills eye-oPeneR: how much europe has computerized fabrication
fUtURe PlAns: open a custom sheet metal shop
“ Worldskills has been sUch a big Part of my life. it Will take a While to transition back into normal life. i’ve loved every minUte of it.”
Age: 22
hoMetown: Ponoka
eMPloyeR: Ponoka cabinet makers
event: joinery
coAch: roger cloutier, associate chair, millwork and carpentry
joineRy exPlAineD: building joints for doors, windows, stairs
skill he’D like to iMPRove: speed
highlight fRoM coMPetitions: win-ning $16,000 in tools
“ i mUst be doing something right, seeing as Where i’m at.”
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ceiling
UnliMiteDedmonton Chamber of Commerce president james Cumming shares his view of the city’s economic future.
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UnliMiteDtechlife: what is the role of the chamber of commerce?
JamesCumming:Thechamberisheretoimprovethebusinessenvironmentforitsmembersandthebusinesscommunityatlarge.Thiscouldincludetaxationlevels,accesstolabour,economicdevelopmentactivities,infrastructureissuesandwaystogetproductstomarket.
you’ve had success growing and leading companies here in edmonton. what made you leave the corporate world and take this role?
AftertheothershareholdersandIsoldCreativeDoorandIresignedfrommyroleaspresidentandCEO,Iwascontemplatingwhatwasnext.Thiswasanicewaytogetinvolvedwiththecommunityinamoresignificantwaythanrunninganotherprivatebusiness.
what are three key issues that are affecting edmonton’s business community?
Thebiggestissueisthelabourshortage.Weneedprovincialandfederalpolicythataddressesthisgrowingneed.Andwelooktothecitytocomeupwithstrategiesthatmakethisadesirabledestination.Beingaffordable,beingsafe–thosearepiecesofthepuzzlethatwillallowustorecruittalent.
Thesecondmajorconcernisourcommodity-based[oilandgas]economyhasonemaincustomer:theUnitedStates.Weneedaccesstoexpandedmarketstotakesomeofthevolatilityoutofthemarketplace.
Lastly,withanewmayorandmanynewfacesoncouncil,weneedtomakesurethattherightissuesarebeingdebated–forbusinessandthecommunity.Ifwehaveathrivingbusinessenvironmentthenwehaveathrivingsocialenvironment–thetwogohandinhand.
what does the ideal business future look like for edmonton?
I’dliketoencourageEdmonton’sentrepreneurstocontinuetogrowtheirbusinessesandmarketssotheybecomeplayersonamoreglobalstage.PCLandStantecaregreatexamplesofhomegrownbusinessesthathavedoneverywell.I’dalsoliketoseeourpost-secondaryinstitutesplayabiggerroleinprovidingcontinuingeducation,whichhelps[thosebusinesses]grow.
what advice would you give edmonton’s new mayor to help us get there?
Therehastobeabalancebetweenhowyouspendtocreateassetsthatpeoplewanttouseandhowyoutaxtoensurethatit’saffordableforpeoplewhowanttolivehere.It’simportanttohaveabig,boldvision,butit’simportanttohaveitbackedupwithapracticalapplicationthatkeepsuscompetitivesothatwecancontinuetoattracttalent,businessesand,whenwesellourgoodsabroad,wedon’tputourselvesatadisadvantage.
what role should naIt’s Jr shaw school of business play in building the local business community?
Manyofouralumnifromthetradesandtechnologyprogramswanttogooutandstartabusiness.It’ssomucheasierifyouhavesomebusinesseducation.IfNAITembedsbusinesstraininginallitsprograms,itwillincreasethesuccessrateofthesestartups.
It’s been 32 years since you graduated from naIt. what advice would you offer the next generation of grads?
Youjusthadtoremindmeofthat!Makesurethatyou’regivingback.Mybusinesslifehasgivenmethecapitalandthegroundingthatgivesmetheluxurytogooutandhelp.That’saprivilegethatshouldn’tbetakenforgranted.
edmontonisagreatplaceforbusiness.Fromnowthrough2025,thecityisprojectedtogrowbynearlyeverymetric:GDP,buildingpermits,housingstartsandsoon.Theonlynumbernotgoingupisunemployment.Thatmeansrecruitingskilledlabourisonlygoingtogetharder,whichiswhyJames Cumming,thenewpresidentoftheEdmontonChamberofCommerce,ismakingthatissueoneofhispriorities.
Aveteranlocalbusinessleader,Cumming(ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’81,chairoftheNAITBoardofGovernors2010-13,Top50Alumnus)isworkingwiththechamber’s2,700memberstoensuregovernmentpolicyalignswithmarketplacedemands.Tolearnhow,werecentlyjoinedhimatthechamber’sheadquartersintheWorldTradeCentre.Yes,Edmontonhasoneofthose.
— Ruth Juliebo
Ask An exPeRt
48 techlifemag.ca
ELEVAToR SPEECHAguywalksontoanelevatorandintwofloorsorlessletsothersknowwhoheisandwhathehastooffer.He’sdeliveredan“elevatorspeech,”orwhatMcGhandescribesasa30-secondverbalcoverletter.Forexample,afriendofMcGhan’ssaysinhiselevatorspeech:“Ihelppeoplemaketheirmortgagestax-deductible.”Yourelevatorspeechshouldofferrelevantinformationaboutyou,customizedtoyourgoals.Soifyouhopetolandajobinmarketing,yourelevatorspeechcouldstartwith,“Hi,I’mJaneJonesandImakevideosgoviral.”
danradovanovicwaslivingandworkinginGrandePrairiewhenheandhiswifedecidedtheyneededtobeclosertofamilyinEdmonton.Sowhenhefoundhimselfthrustintoanirresistiblenetworkingopportunity,hepounced.
AtaNAITdinnerwherehereceivedtheSandvikCoromantLeadershipAward,the36-year-oldmachinistmadeaconnectionwithaSandvikCoromantrepwholatertookhimtohalfadozenmachineshopsinEdmonton.HegotajobofferfromeachoneandstartedasageneralmachinistatArgusMachineCo.inJanuary2012.
“Whenyou’relookingforworkandyou’replacedinanopportunitywherethere’speoplearoundwhocanhelp,don’tholdback,”saysRadovanovic(Machinist’11).
It’saperfectexampleofhownetworkingcanfurtheryourcareer,saysKeven mcghan,associatechairofmanagementatNAIT’sJRShawSchoolofBusiness.Themoreconnectionsyouhave,thebiggerthepoolofpeopleyouhavetodrawfromwhenyouneedtofindajobormakeacrucialcareermove.“Ifyou’vedevelopedabunchofgreatrelationships,you’renotgoingtoMonster.comwhenyoudecideyouwantacareerchange.”
McGhan(Finance’89)teachesnetworkingskillsandbusinessetiquetteaspartofhissalesmanagementcourses.Eachsemester,hisstudentshostanetworkingdinnerforemployers,atwhichmanyofthestudentsmake“handshakedeals”thatoftenleadtojobs.
Evenifyou’repainfullyshy,youcanlearntonetwork,whetheryourunintothatverydesirablecontactatanetworkingeventorwhilewaitingtocrossadowntownstreet.BuildingonRadovanovic’s
“bedirect”approach,McGhanoffershistoptipstohelpyoubuildconfidenceandmakesureyounevermissachancetoconnect.
— Eliza Barlow
BE iNTERESTiNGBeprimedtotalkaboutcurrenteventssoyouwon’tbeafraidofhavingnothingtosay.Showuptoaneventarmedwithaninteresting–andpositive–newsstorytodiscuss.“Don’ttalkpolitics,atleastnotatthebeginning.Itcanbeverypolarizing.”
ADD VALuEThinkaboutwhatyoucandoforyournewcontact,nottheotherwayaround.“Yourfirstobjectiveshouldbetohelpsomeoneelse,”saysMcGhan.“Ifyouintroducethemtosomeoneorsomethingthat’sgoingtohelpthem,they’regoingtorememberthat.” Il
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v7.1 2013 49
MASTER THE ART of SMALL TALkIt’snotassmallasyoumightthink.Goodsmall-talkersaretheoneswhopractice“hostbehaviour.”McGhansays,“Trytomaketheotherpersonfeelascomfortableaspossible.Askthemlotsofquestionsaboutthemselves,showinterestandaskfollow-upquestions.”Mostpeoplewilleventuallystarttoaskaboutyou–andgiveyouachancetoshine.
MAkE SoME PoST-CHAT NoTESAfteragreatconversationwithanewcontact,writedownafewnotesonthebackofhisbusinesscard–forexample,ahobbyorinteresthementioned.Itwillhelpkeeptheconversationgoingwhenyousendafollow-upemail.Ifyoufoundouthehasasailboat,McGhansuggestsdoingsomeresearchonsailingandincludingalinktoanonlinearticlewithanotetosay,“Hey,Iwasreadingthisandthoughtofyou.”
TAkE A BuDDyIntrovertscanbenefitfromabuddysystematimportantnetworkingevents.“Gowithsomeonewhoismoreoutgoingthanyou,”suggestsMcGhan,andleanonthepersontointroduceyoutosomecontacts.“Eventually,confidencewillcomeandyouwon’tneedthemasmuch.”Abuddycanalsocutinandhelpsteeryouawayifyou’vebeenwaylaidbysomeonefortoolongandarehavingtroubleendingtheconversation.
Don’trelyonLinkedInorothersocialmediaasyourmainnetworkingtool.Itdoesn’treplaceface-to-facecontact,saysMcGhan.AddsomeoneonLinkedInonlyafteryou’vemethimorherinperson.
Lookatanetworkingeventoropportunityasaplacetomakeafewmeaningfulcontacts,notcollectasmanybusinesscardsasyoucan.
Eyecontactiscrucialwhiletalkingtosomeone,saysMcGhan.
“Don’tscantheroomforthenext,mostinterestingtarget.”
NETWoRkiNG NoN-STARTERS
1 2 3
50 techlifemag.ca
WiN an ooK t-shirt!
Allwinnerswillbenotifiedbyemail.Choiceofshirtsizecannotbeguaranteed.Winnersfromthenewslettersubscriptioncontestweraninissue6.1arenoteligible.
have you trIeDBakinggradamy nachtigall’srecipeforgingercookies?(Ifnot,doyouknowwheretofindthem?)
Do you knowhowtolimityourriskwhendealingwithrenovationcontractors?
Do you haveabudgetingstrategyfortheupcomingholidayseason?
have you seenPersonalFitnessTrainergradamy Pysar’soutdoorworkoutvideo?
DID you hearaboutKai dan,themostdecoratedstudentathleteinNAIT’shistory?
Ifyouanswerednotoanyofthesequestions,youshouldsubscribetooure-newsletter!
Eighttimesayear,we’llsendyouthelatestfromtechlifemag.ca,ouronlinetechnologylifestylemagazine.Overthepastyear,wefeaturedthestorieslistedaboveanddozensofothersyouwon’tfindintheprinteditionoftechlife–they’reonlyontheweb.
Stopmissingout–andwin!Visittechlifemag.ca,clickSubscribeandfillintheappropriatefields.Do so before Jan. 31, 2014 and we’ll enter you in a random draw to win one of 10 limited-edition “generation ooks” t-shirts.
Ifyou’realreadyasubscriber–thanks!Youcanstillenter.Sendyournametocontests@techlifemag.caanduseT-shirtasthesubject.
techlifemag.ca
Good luck! see you online.
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v7.1 2013 51
hokanson chef in residence chris cosentino forces students to face the facts about where meat comes from and how to use it responsibly.
story by JennIFer cockraLL-kIng
Photos by bLaIse van maLsen
featured alumni
rosario caputo,CulinaryArts’05
Daniel costa,CulinaryArts’05
brayden kozak,CulinaryArts’02
blair Lebsack,Cook’98
corey meyer,RetailMeatcutting’96
Dan westgeest,ComputerNetworkAdministration’02,RetailMeatcutting’05,CulinaryArts’07P
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hokansonchefin
residenceThisuniqueprogram
providesstudentsintheSchoolofHospitality
andCulinaryArtswitharareopportunityto
learnfromthebestchefsintheworld.Theprogram–theresultof
agenerousdonationfromJohnandSusan
Hokanson–beganwithCanadiancelebritychef
RobFeeniein2009,followedbyDavidAdjey
in2010,SusurLeein2011andMassimo
Caprain2012.
Chris Cosentino helps students, including
emily olson and briana overacker (below), prepare dishes for
hokanson Chef in residence events.
-DANWESTGEEST,CHAIR PROFESSIONALMEATCUTTINGANDMERCHANDISING
v7.1 2013 53
A s50culinaryartsstudentsincrispwhitechefjacketsjostleforseatsinaNAITfoodlab,ChrisCosentinostridestothefrontoftheroom.With
allofhisdutiesas2013HokansonChefinResidence–masterclasseslikethisone,publicappearances,anddinnersandluncheonshehasyettoprepare–there’snotamomenttospare.
Asfarasfamouschefsgo,Cosentinoishighlyrecognizable.It’snotjustfortheBuddyHollyglassesandtheculinary-themedtattoos(there’sabutcher’sdiagramofapigononearmandafork-knife-and-spoonsetontheother).NorisitnecessarilyfortheappearancesonIron Chef AmericaandNext Iron Chef,orforwinningTop Chef Mastersin2012.CosentinoisoneofNorthAmerica’stopadvocatesfornose-to-tailcuisine,makinguseofvirtuallyeverything,includingoffal–thoseinnardsandextremitiesoncedismissivelyreferredtoas“varietymeats.”
Asiftoproveit,Cosentinostartsbyshowinghisclassavideoinwhichhetransformsanenormouspig’sheadintoporchetta di testasalumi,anItalianslow-cookedmeatrollinvolvingthehead,tongueandears.
Atfirst,gaspsand“eeeuuwws”ricochetaroundtheroombutsoonanenthusiasticroundofquestionstakesover.Thesechefs-to-beaskaboutcookingtime,seasoningandothertechnicalaspectsofmakingporchetta di testaandothersalumi.
Nodoubt,Cosentinoappreciatesthis.TheexecutivechefofSanFrancisco’saward-winningIncantorestaurantisdeterminedtochangehowourdisposablesocietythinksaboutthewholeanimal,beyondtherib-eyeandtenderloin.Andwhilehewantstheseup-and-comingAlbertachefstoconfronttherealityoftheoriginofasteak,chickenbreastorporkchop,healsowantsthemtotakethatasanopportunitytopushthemselvescreatively.Ifhe’ssuccessful,itcouldbeatriplewin:forourlivestockandtheenvironment,forthesefuturechefs’foodbudgetsandforadventurousdiners.
Sensingthathe’sgottheclasspastthefirsthurdle,CosentinotellsthestudentsthathetriestotakehiskitchenstafftoharvestapigonaCaliforniafarmatleastonceayear.It’sanextremelyemotionalexperience,heexplains,anditchangesyou.Heseesthatinhisstaffandhasseenitinhimself.
“ThedayIfirstharvestedananimalwasthedayIputmoreoffalonthemenu,”hesays.“Youbecomeveryhumbled.”
danielwestgeest(RetailMeatcutting‘05,CulinaryArts‘07),chairofNAIT’sProfessionalMeatcuttingandMerchandisingprogram,applaudsCosentino’sphilosophy.“Cosentino’sattitudeisthatwehavetobenicetotheearththatisbeingnicetous.Doingthingsinahumanemannerandbeingmoreresponsible,that’sthenewgenerationofchefscomingup.”
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54 techlifemag.ca
NorthAmericanmeatproductionishugelyresourceintensive.Itcantakeupto15,000litresofwaterandsevento10kilogramsofgraintoproducetheone-kilopackageofbeefinthegrocerystore.
“It’stimetoputliverandonionsbackonthemenu,tousethebonestomakestockagain,”Westgeesturges.
SeveralEdmontonchefshavealreadystartedtorevivecomfortfoodsbasedonnose-to-tailethics,withhomemadesalumiandoffalrecipesreimaginedinamodernway.
Creativitydrivesdaniel Costa(CulinaryArts’05),chefandownerofCorso32,tofeaturenon-primarycutsandoffalonhismenu.Clearly,it’sbeengoodforbusiness,asreservationsatthisdowntownEdmontonrestaurantareamongthetoughesttogetinthecity.
CostadrawsadirectlinefromhisItalianrootstonose-to-tailcooking.Hegrewupeatingoxtail(thetoughbone-incutofbeeftailthatrequireslong
stewingorbraising),andchickenorturkeyheartsandneckstuffedwithsausage.Thiswascuisineofthequinto quarto,literallyananimal’s“fifthquarter,”orwhatremainsafterbutcheringtheouterforeandhindquarters.Heremindsusthatmanyfamiliarfavouriteswerebornofresourcefulness.
“Lookathowravioliwascreated,”hesays.“Youtaketheoff-cutsandstufftheminastarch.Youbecomecreativewiththeingredientsyouhaveavailable.”
AtCorso32,Costathrillsatthedepthofflavoursandthevarietyoftextureshecancoaxfromthesemeats.Heexplainsthatwhilethesedishesinvolvemorecookingskill,likehisbraisedtripewithtomatoandchili,therewardismoreflavourperpound,whichkeepsfoodcostsdownandcustomersatisfactionhigh.Andapparently,Edmontoniansaremoreopen-mindedthanever.“Inour34-seatrestaurant,we’llsell14ordersofchickenliverpernight.”
edmonton,snout-to-tailTrytheserestaurants
forafull-bodiedculinaryexperience.
Becauseofthenatureofusingthe
wholeanimal,nose-to-tailmenuitems
changeregularly.
corso3210345JasperAve.
chef/ownerDanielCosta
(CulinaryArts’05)
cibobistro11244-104Ave.
chef/ownerRosarioCaputo
(CulinaryArts’05)
threeboars8424-109St.
chef/ownerBraydenKozak
(CulinaryArts’02)
rgerd10643-123St.
chef/ownerBlairLebsack
(Cook’98)
right, Chris Cosentino offers
hands-on instruction to student eric
anderson. far right, Cosentino’s green chili steak tartare on crostini. below,
rosario Caputo, owner of edmonton’s
Cibo bistro, embraces cooking
with off-cuts.
v7.1 2013 55
Rosario Caputo(CulinaryArts’05),CiboBistro’sownerandchef,alsolovesthecreativechallengesofoffal.Forhisoldercustomers’pleasure,he’sresurrecting
“tastememories”oftheiryouth.Andyoungerdinerslovethenoveltyofuntastedterritory.Whenhecan,Caputofeaturesguanciale(aged,curedporkjowl),bresaola(air-dried,agedsaltedbeef)andlardo(salt-brinedandcuredporkfat).Lastsummer,heorderedawholepig’sheadforporchetta di testa,whichhethoughthe’dendupthrowingout.Buthiscustomers,quiteliterally,ateitup.
“I’mnowonmy26thhead,”hesays.Interestisspreadingbeyondthecity’srestaurants.
Corey meyer(RetailMeatcutting’96),third-generationmeat-cutterandownerofAcmeMeatMarket,hasbecomeadefactosuppliertothosewhohavedinedoutonnose-to-tailmenusandwanttotryitathome.Demandforporkbellyathissouth-sideshop,Meyersays,is“offthecharts.”Healsogetsrequestsforbrain,skin,kidneysandheart.Handlingfullandhalfcarcassesandcuttingtoordergiveshimabusinessadvantage.
“It’snotlikeasupermarketcanhandlethesetypesofrequests,”saysMeyer.
tocloseoutthemasterclass,Cosentinopreparesagreenchili-spikedsteaktartareservedonaroundofbaguette.Today,heusesrawbeefchuck,atougher,shouldercutusuallyreservedforlongbraisingorgroundbeef,ratherthantherawbeefheartservedatIncanto.Everystudent,eventhevegetariansintheroom,isencouragedtotryit.It’spartoftheirculinaryeducation,hetellsthem.
ErickaDegner,18,ashy,second-semesterstudent,hesitatesbeforebitingintotheruby-redmeat.“Thisisallnew,”shesays,surprisedthatshelikesit.“I’mhappyheinspiredmetotryit.IwouldhaveregretteditifIhadn’t.”
“Yourjobistogetbettereveryday,”Cosentinotellsthem.Gettingbetter,hesays,isaboutopeninguptonewexperiencesandsettinggoalsof“creatingtastememories,everyday.”
What’smore,hearguesthattheyareuniquelypositionedaschefstocreatedemandandinterestinoffalandoff-cuts.Inthissense,heseestheirrolesasbothculinaryartistsandactivists.Hisownfoodsuggeststhatyoucanputthebestinterestsofanimalsandenvironment,yourbusinessandyourcustomers,togetherinonedish.
Afterall,saysCosentinoasafinalthoughttothenextgenerationofchefs,“Youcanonlychangetheworldoneplateatatime.”
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From Beginnings:
My Way to start a Meal by chrIs cosentIno
SERVES4
ham hocks2 ham hocks, about 500 g (1 lb) in total
½ medium yellow onion 1 large carrot, halved
1 celery rib, halved3 bay leaves
LentILs105 g (½ cup) green lentils,
picked over and rinsed1 head garlic, split crosswise
½ medium yellow onion ½ large carrot, halved
1 bay leafkosher salt and freshly ground
black pepper
to FInIsh4 swiss chard leaves,
preferably with white ribs15 ml (1 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil,
plus more for drizzling45 g (¼ cup) finely diced yellow onion
45 g (¼ cup) finely diced peeled carrot30 ml (2 tbsp) thinly sliced garlic
250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock5 ml (1 tsp) sherry vinegar
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
ham hocks
Combinethehocks,onion,carrot,celery,bayleavesand1.25L(5cups)waterinaheavypotand
cookslowlyfor2to3hoursoruntilverytender.(Touseapressurecooker,followthemanufacturer’s
instructions,securethelid,bringuptofullpressureandcookfor45to60minutes.Letthepressure
releasenaturallyfor10minutes,thenuncover.)Removethehocksandsetasideonaplatetocool.
Strainthebrothanddiscardthesolids.Reserve375ml(1½cups)ofthebroth,discardtheremainder
orreserveforanotheruse.Removethemeatfromthehamhocks,discardingtheskinandbones.
Coverandrefrigerate.
LentILs
Inasaucepan,bringthelentilsand750ml(3cups)watertoaboiloverhighheat.Immediately
removethepanfromtheheat,drainthelentils,rinseundercoldrunningwaterandreturnthelentils
tothepan.Add750ml(3cups)water,thegarlic,onion,carrotandbayleaftothepanandbringtoa
simmerovermediumheat.Cookjustuntilthelentilsaretenderbutnotsplit,15to20minutes.Drain
thelentilswellanddiscardthevegetablesandbayleaf.Spreadthelentilsonarimmedbakingsheet,
seasonwithsaltandpepperandletcoolcompletely.Coverandrefrigerate.
to FInIsh
Separatethegreenleavesfromthechardribs.Separatelycuttheleavesandribscrosswiseintostrips
1cm(½inch)wide.Inaheavysaucepanovermedium-highheat,warmtheoliveoil.Addtheonion,
carrot,chardribsandgarlictothepanandcook,stirringoccasionally,untilthevegetablesaretender,
about4minutes.Addthereservedlentils,theham-hockmeat,thereserved375ml(1½cups)ofham
brothandthechickenstockandbringtoagentlesimmer.Addthechardleavesandcookuntilthe
leavesaretender,about4minutes.Tasteforseasoningandadjustwithvinegar.Tasteagainandadjust
theseasoningwithsaltandpepper,ifneeded.(Thehamhockbrothcansometimesbesaltyenough.)
Toserve,ladleintowarmedbowlsandtopeachservingwithadrizzleofoliveoil.
[ ReciPe ]
v7.1 2013 57
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v7.1 2013 59
thepanoramicviewfromthe8thfloorloungeoftheNAITJRShawSchoolofBusinessmakesitaperennialfavouritestudentandstaffhangout.Throughouttheyears,ithasbeenagreatplacetowatchthecityevolve.Sincethetoweropenedin1965,downtownEdmontonhasbeentransformed,startingwiththeopeningoftheCNTower,which,at26storeys,wasoncethetallestbuildingwestofToronto.Closertocampus,visitorstotheloungewouldhaveseentheNAITActivitiesCentreopenin1973,KingswayMallopenin1976andtheLoisHolef r o m t h e t o p
HospitalforWomenopenin2010.Inthecomingdecades,thetowerwillprovideagreatviewoftheBlatchfordredevelopmentontheCityCentreAirportlandsjustwestofcampus,aprojectthatwillbetransformativeforNAITandthelocalcommunity.Inthemeantime,staffandstudentscontinuetoenjoytheviewfromthetower.“8thfloorBusinessToweristhebestkeptsecretat#NAIT,”librarianKalinJensentweetedrecently.
“Awesomeview,lotsofseating,watchingastormrollin…#yeg”.
— Kristen Vernon
Ph
oto
by
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Net
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jAN
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We’re helping business become more efficient and productive in a global economy.
NAIT Corporate and International Training draws on the Institute’s more than 200 programs to customize and deliver training across a range of competencies.
TO TRAININGInvest in your team. nait.ca/cit | 780.378.1230
TRANSFORM YOUR CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAM
A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO
STUDENT SUCCESS
techlife Fall 2013: 7.25” w x 4.75”h
60 techlifemag.ca
ESSENTIAL SOLUTIONS THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCHNAIT’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation, novaNAIT, connects entrepreneurs and industry partners with faculty and students to create practical solutions to real-world problems. Services include:
• industry-driven applied research and innovation
• facilitated access to NAIT expertise, technological support and resources from more than 250 programs
• product development services including prototyping, business development planning and technical consultancy
• facilitation and management of funding opportunities and contracts.
Learn how novaNAIT can assist you:
E: novanaitinfo@nait.ca www.novanait.ca
A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS11762 – 106 St. Edmonton Alberta Canada t5g 2r1
5 wAys
v7.1 2013 61
1 SHoPPiNGPurchasequalitycutsofmeatandfishpreparedbystudentsattheRetailMeatStore,locatedintheCommonMarketonMainCampus.ThestoreisopenTuesdaytoThursday(10a.m.to2p.m.),mid-Septembertomid-April(closedmid-Decembertomid-January).Formoreinformation,visitnait.ca/retailmeatstoreorcall780.471.8678.
2 DiNiNGEnjoycontemporarycuisinepreparedandservedbyCulinaryArtsandHospitalityManagementstudentsatErnest’s,NAIT’son-campusrestaurant.Openmid-SeptemberthroughApril(closedmid-Decembertomid-January),Ernest’sserveslunchMondaytoThursday,withabuffeteveryFriday.DinnerservicerunsTuesdaytoFriday,withspecialeventsonSaturday.Viewthemenuandmakereservationsatnait.ca/ernestsorcall780.471.8676.
5 fiTNESSNAIT’srecreationfacilitiesincludeanarena,fitnessandweightcentre,pool,squashandracquetballcourts,gymnasiumandindoorrunningtrack.Forinformationonmembershipsandmore,visitnait.ca/recreationorcall780.471.7713.
4 SoCiALiZiNGDoyouenjoyconnectingwithalumniandwanttogiveback?TheAlumniCouncileventssubcommitteeislookingforvolunteerstohelpcoordinateevents.Tobepartofthisteam,contactalumni@nait.caorcall780.471.8539.
3 ENTERTAiNMENTCheerontheOoks!Withteamscompetinginbasketball,hockey,volleyballandmore,thereissuretobeasportforyou.Adultadmissionrangesfromfreeto$7andchildrenunder12arealwaysfree.Forseasonpasses,groupticketsandschedules,visitnait.ca/athleticsorcall780.471.7713.P
ho
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get involved with nAitfive great reasons to come back to campus
62 techlifemag.ca
STREETsmarthow bob dunford keeps edmonton in motion
on weekends, bob dunford
(civil engineering technology
’78) leaves his trademark
wide-brimmed fedora at
home. in what free time he
has, the director of road
maintenance for the city
of edmonton would rather
not be so easily recognized
and risk getting an earful
about snowy roads or
potholes. roads are one of
those things people love to
hate, but dunford didn’t go
into the job for pats on the
back (though he does get a
compliment, now and then).
he joined the city’s roadway
maintenance department
as a new nait grad and has
stayed for 35 years, doing
everything from pavement
management to bridge
technology to running the
asphalt plant to his current
role in operations. he knows
edmonton’s 11,800 lane
kilometres of road – nearly
the distance from here to
st. john’s and back – more
intimately than anyone. each
day, he does his utmost to
make sure edmontonians
can safely use them to get
where they need to go.
ialwaysknewiwantedtoworkinroads.Youseetheresultsofyourworkrightaway.Youhaveaperpetualresponsibilityandyoucanseetheimpactyouhaveonkeepingthecitymovingeveryday.
igettoworkataround6:30a.m.tocatchuponcorrespondenceandgetadailyupdatefrommyteamaboutwhat’shappeningonthecity’sroads.Manydays,Iattendcitycouncilmeetingsorcouncilcommitteemeetingstotalkaboutlong-termbudgets.
ourbudgetis$105millionforoperationsand$160millionforcapitalprojects.Lastwinter,wehauledtwomillioncubicmetresofsnowandlaiddown185,000tonnesofabrasivesandde-icers.AsoftheendofJune,wehadfilledmorepotholesthantheaverageforanentireyear–about420,000.Ourlatestbigprojecthasbeenputtingtogetherafinancialstrategyforarterialroad[majorroutes]rehabilitation.
roadwaymaintenanceisalwaysinthepubliceye.Peopleliketotalkaboutsnowandiceinthewinter,andpotholesandstreetcleanupinthespring.Igethatemail.Peoplevent,whetherit’sinthenewspapers,onFacebookorTwitter.Youcan’ttakeittoheart.Thepublicserviceisn’tforeveryone.You’retryingtoaccomplishsomethingforthegreaterpublicgoodandyoucanoftenbeunderappreciated.
inthewinterof2010-11wemovedarecordamountofsnow.Thewestenddumpingsitehitalmost60metreshighanddidn’tmeltuntilSept.10.PeopletooktocallingitSnowDirtMountain[chuckles].Sometimes,ifyoucanhavealittlefunwithit,ithelps.
As told to Eliza Barlow
roaD maIntenance DIrector
• salary Range:$125-150,000/year
• Hours:50hoursaweek,MondaytoFriday
• Location:Office
• Education:CivilEngineeringTechnologydiploma,plusextensiveexperienceinallaspectsofroadwaymaintenance
cIvIL engIneerIng technoLogIst
• salary:$36.23/hour(meanwage)
• Hours:Regularofficehours,plusovertime
• Location:Officesandconstructionsites,sometimesinpoorweatherandinisolatedlocations
• Education:CivilEngineeringTechnologydiploma
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Through Syncrude’s Campus Recruitment program,post-secondary students like you can join one of the leading oil sands operations in North America.
Visit syncrude.ca/careers for additional information.
YOU SUPPLY THE DREAM. WE’LL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY.
The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership, and Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership.
SYCPACC38055 Dream Bigger - Techlife.indd 1 6/14/13 10:25 AM
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moUnd of MeDAls CulinaryTeamNAITreturnedinMayfromtheHongKongInternationalCulinaryClassic13with20medals–anewrecordforNAIT.The11-memberteam(composedofstudents,coachesandtheteammanager)earnedfourgold,eightsilverandeightbronzemedals.TheeventwaspartofHOFEX2013,thelargestfoodandhospitalitytradeshowintheAsia-Pacificregion.
AnD the AwARD goes to...grads, staff and students continue to amass awards in multiple categories, from industry to innovation to athletics. here are a few recent winners.
man of inflUence perrymichetti,associatedeanoftheSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArts,wasnamedoneoftheprovince’s50MostInfluentialPeoplebyAlberta VenturemagazineinitsJuly2013issue.Theeditorsnotethat,underMichetti’sleadership,NAIThasbuilttheHokansonCentreforCulinaryArts,staffandstudentshavecapturedawardsatinternationalcompetitionsandtheschoolhasCanada’sfirstannualchef-in-residenceprogram.
hall of fAMeRFordominatingwheelchairracinginthe1980s,roberteaston(Management’82)wasinductedthisyearintotheCanadianParalympicHallofFame.Atthe’84and’88Paralympics,hetookeightgoldmedalsandonesilver,andheldmultipleworldrecords.Easton,whohascerebralpalsy,isalsoamemberoftheAlbertaSportsHallofFameandtheCanadianCerebralPalsySportsHallofFame.
instrUmental to leARningAfterjusttwoyearsasanInstrumentTechnicianinstructor,danbassett(InstrumentMechanic’97)hasearnedthe2012TopInstructorAwardforthenorthernregionfromAlbertaApprenticeshipandIndustryTraining.Thestudent-nominatedawardrecognizespresentationskills,fairnessandmore.After30yearsinindustrypriortoNAIT,Bassettsays,“I’mdefinitelyhappierteachingthanworkingintheplant.”
skills bUilDeRrobpredigerwasnamedthe2013SkillsVolunteeroftheYearfornineyearsofcoordinatingcompetitionsandjudgingforSkillsCanadaAlberta,anot-for-profitthatpromotestradesandtechnicalcareerstoyouth.FortheassociatechairoftheAutomotiveServiceTechnicianprogram,therewardliesinseeingtransformations.Atfirst,thehigh-schoolcompetitorsare“likedeerintheheadlights,”hesays.“Youcanseetheimprovementastheycompeteeachyear.”
food and loDging ThisJune,lancetorgerson(Management‘95,right)anddanielcosta(CulinaryArts’05)receivedNAIT’sAlumniAwardofDistinctionandSpiritofNAITaward,respectively.TorgersonrunsNoraltaLodgeLtd.,thelargestindependentindustriallodgingcompanyinthecountry.CostaistheownerofCorso32,namedoneofCanada’sbestrestaurantsbyMaclean’smagazine.
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anniversary memorabiliaNAIT’s25thanniversarykickedoffonOct.1,1987withFirstClassDay,celebratingtheday,25yearsearlier,when29CommunicationElectricianapprenticesbegantheirtraining.Studentsandinstructorsfromthatfirstclassreturnedforthefestivities,whichincludedaluncheonandbirthdaycake.Coffeeandteaweresoldatthe1962priceof10centsacup.CelebrationscontinuedthroughMay28,1988,whentheinstitutehelditsfirsthomecoming,with“alumnaits”fromeverygraduatingclassandsome50programsreturningforcampustours,adinneranddance.
open house poster and course calendarsInits25thyear,NAIToffered57diplomaandcertificateprograms,47apprenticeshiptradesandabout400continuingeducationcreditandnon-creditcourses.Today,NAIToffersapproximately140creditprogramsleadingtodegrees,applieddegrees,diplomasandcertificates,34apprenticeshiptradesandmorethan459non-creditcontinuingeducationcourses.
nest menuWhentheNestopenedin1988,studentscouldgetaMcNestbreakfastofscrambledeggs,bacon,cheeseandtoastfor$2.50,a12-ouncedraftfor$1.50anddeep-friedperogiesfor$3.50.Today,apintofdomesticbeersellsfor$5.75andthemenuincludesgourmetpizzas,hotdogsandburgersservedonartisanbread.
nait Queen selection rulesResponsibilitiesoftheNAITQueenincludedattendingandpromotingNAITStudentAssociation(NAITSA)events,representingthestudentassociationinthecompetitionforMissEdmontonEskimoandmore.Thetraditionlasted26yearsuntil1991,whenonlyonecandidatecameforward.Thequeenwaschosenthroughamixofpopularvoteandparticipationineventsthatincludedhumanpyramidbuilding,lipsyncingandafashionshow.ThequeenselectioncamewithaseriesofstrictregulationsoutlinedbyNAITSA,including“nokidnappingorstealingofcandidates.”The1988queenwasBusinessAdministrationstudentJoanneGeisinger.
Condoms and std/aids brochuresThefirstAIDSdiagnosiswasmadeintheU.S.in1981andinCanadaayearlater.Asthenumberofcasesclimbed,thecommunityandgovernmentsresponded.In1987,theWorldHealthOrganizationlaunchedaglobalAIDSstrategyandtheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministrationsaidthatcondomscouldbeusedtopreventthespreadofHIV.Ayearlater,theCanadianAIDSSocietyreleasedthecountry’sfirstsafesexguidelines.Thediseasewasonthemindof1987-88NAITSApresidentgord matthew(Management’87,Finance’88):
“Herein1988,thingsscareme.WillAIDSeverbecured?Willtherecontinuetobewidespreadworldhunger?WillNAITjanitorsstillbedrivingthosedangerousZamboni-likefloorpolishers!?”
buriedinthewallofthestudentlounge,theNest,in1988andopenedearlierthisyearaspartofNAIT@50celebrations,the25thanniversarytimecapsuleoffersaglimpseintoaworldthat,asmuchasithaschanged,hasstayedsomuchthesame.Here,alookatsomeoftheitemsdiscoveredintheblacktrunk.
— Kristen Vernon
Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/25th-anniversary-time-capsule.htm toread1987-88NAITSApresidentGordMatthew’sletter,whichheintendedtobereadduringthe50thanniversarycelebrationsin2013.
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No de dossier :06_MM9091-13_MMI.EN•nait (8.25x10.75)
Province : Alberta
Publication : Techlife Magazine
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Date de tombée : 22/05/2013
Graphiste : Yannick Decosse
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Nexen is a proud partner of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, donating over $1 million to the development of state-of-the-art facilities, awards and bursaries.
IT TAKES ALL KINDS OF ENERGYBy exploring and developing some of the most globally significant oil and gas basins, Nexen
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