Hometown: Clavet, SK
Program: Instrumentation Engineering Technology diploma
If not for a helpful uncle, Nathan Charles says he might still be at the same company he started with after high school, working for what he says was lower-than-wanted pay. "I was out of school for six years at a job with no future."
His uncle suggested Instrumentation Engineering Technology at Saskatchewan Polytechnic – advice Nathan is glad he took. "I like the co-op education component, where you get employment experience for pay," he says. "I like the small class sizes and individual attention from instructors." Even an unsuccessful first-year electronics course was just a minor setback, as his instructors helped him sort out a path forward that will allow him to graduate.
After three co-op work terms, Nathan is looking forward to working in the Saskatoon area, or perhaps at one of the northern mines when he completes his program next year. The Lac la Ronge First Nation student says, "My future is a lot brighter with really good job prospects and great pay. I'm happy with how my future looks – I'll have a career instead of a job."
"I'll have a career instead of a job."