The Best Careers You
Never Knew Existed
A podcast to advance your career in ways you never imagined.
The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed is the conversation that helps you navigate the top technology and innovation trends impacting new and emerging careers.
Featuring engaging conversations with industry experts, leaders, and those who’ve been on the journey — join us as we dive into the exciting opportunities in Alberta’s changing career landscape. If you’re new to Alberta, eager to boost your job opportunities or want to be on the cutting edge of career trends — this conversation is made for you.
New episodes
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Capturing the Future: Carbon Careers
Are you interested in helping companies reduce their carbon emissions? Are you passionate about solving complex problems in business and technology? Learn more about a career in carbon capture and storage (CCS). Join our guest Mansi Dhaundiya, technical and policy analyst at the International CCS Knowledge Center, as she shares her career journey from chemical engineering to CCS expert.
Don’t miss the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed podcast to learn more about how you can contribute to the cutting-edge technologies and policies driving this essential climate change solution as a sustainability professional in the CCS field.
Have you ever wondered who ensures the safety and integrity of the materials and structure of everyday objects like roller coasters to airplanes, oil rigs, wind turbines and more? If you’re curious about a career in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), this episode is for you. Join our guest, experienced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technician and SAIT instructor Brandon Hansen, as he discusses his journey and successes in the NDT sector. Explore the crucial role that NDT plays in maintaining safety across many industries and how evolving technologies keep the industry at the forefront of innovation.
Don’t miss the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed podcast to learn how you can be part of this high-demand specialized field.
Are you interested in learning more about where your skillset fits into the growing job market? SAIT’s My Career Pathways™ tool can help. This free, self-serve portal categorizes your existing skills and provides recommended courses and training options to support your career development.
Join our guests, Brad Ackroyd, Product Strategist at SAIT, and Sara Struthers, Manager of Talent Services and Community Engagement at SAIT, in this insightful bonus episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed podcast as they discuss the innovative My Career Pathways™ tool and how SAIT supports learners and career changers in navigating their professional journeys.
Interested in what it takes to succeed in the exciting world of audiovisual (AV) production? Whether you're an aspiring audio technician, video editor or simply curious about unique AV career paths, this episode is for you.
Join our guests, Mike Mattson, owner of MBM Productions and instructor at SAIT, and Franco Mosca, Production Manager at the National Music Center, as they dive into their journeys in the exciting world of AV production. Tune in to hear how they navigated their careers and found success despite their nontraditional paths, the importance of continuous learning and the diverse opportunities available in the industry. Don't miss this insightful episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed podcast.
Research and innovation in sustainability are paving the way for new growth and opportunities in the energy sector. Join guest Zak Cunningham, an energy system analyst, as he shares his unconventional career journey from the oil and gas industry to sustainable energy development. Learn about the importance of interdisciplinary education in the energy industry’s push for transformational change while gaining insights into the career paths that exist to create more secure, economical and sustainable energy.
You’ll learn more about the adaptability and resilience in the growing field of sustainable energy on the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed podcast.
Alberta’s long history of innovation and collaboration continues to shape its ever-growing energy industry. Join co-hosts Lora Bucsis and Pat Hufnagel-Smith as they discuss the impact of the latest technological advancements and environmental considerations on the labour market within the province’s energy sector. You’ll discover how adaptability and transferable skills can help you navigate emerging energy careers — and the industry’s increasingly integrated landscape.
Listen to the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed to get insights into the needs of an evolving workforce and how the energy industry is leveraging new and existing technologies for a better tomorrow.
Are you interested in an audio career with diverse settings, from recording studios and concert venues to film sets and video game studios? Step into the captivating realm of acoustics as we unveil the pivotal skills that set the stage for success in this dynamic field. Join our guest, Dan Clayton, on this episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed as he delves into the world of acoustics, sharing insights from his 15-year global career.
You’ll learn more about roles that exist in the acoustics industry – such as acoustic engineers and sound technicians – and discover how acoustics, vibration and noise intersect, shaping our daily experiences and environmental landscapes.
In the latest episode, hosts Lora and Zach discuss the transformative role of technology in the energy sector with guest and partner at Creative Links, Pat Hufnagel-Smith. Explore how the two sectors intersect and dive into the challenges and opportunities that arise as the energy sector increasingly adopts and deploys digital technology.
From industry growth to the impact of digital technologies on sustainability, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of energy and tech careers.
In a special live event, we reconnect with previous guests: data scientist Ben Reeves, RPA leader Matthew Sentes and business analyst Adile Abbadi Macintosh.
Join us for an informative conversation about careers at the intersection of tech and data as these experts delve deeper into their fields, highlighting the dynamic nature of their roles and the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning. Relive their journeys, gather fresh perspectives and listen to an engaging Q&A session that will give you new insight into which tech careers might be the best for you.
In the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, we explore Calgary's innovative tech industry. We talk to Chelsea Hallick of Calgary Economic Development to get her insights on the city's tech ecosystem, its unique factors attracting companies, the impact of digital transformation across various industries and why we should be excited about tech in Calgary.
Jobs that fall out of the traditional scope of work are an increasingly popular option for those looking for flexibility and independence. But of course, every journey has its challenges, too.
Join our guest, Gail Kastning, as we explore the dynamic world of on-demand labour, freelancing and portfolio careers. Learn how independent contractors and freelancers are transforming industries — including education, media and IT — and how the “gig economy” is reshaping employment norms.
What happens when the podcast producers become the interviewees? In this bonus episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, Terran and Jenna, the audio producers behind the podcast, discuss their roles, podcast skills and the viability of podcasting as a career.
Join the “cast behind the pod” as they explore the advantages of hands-on, practical learning that they experienced in SAIT’s Radio, Television and Broadcast News diploma program.
In this episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, discover how data science enhances everyday efficiency and shapes the future landscape of all businesses.
Join our guest, Ben Reeves, a dedicated data scientist and community builder, as we discuss how data is essential to energy-transitioning economies, potential paths and how to get started on a rewarding and impactful career in data.
How does someone go from working with fossils to becoming an expert in optimizing processes and driving organizational success? What do paleontology and technology have in common? On the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, guest Adile Abbadi-MacIntosh shares his remarkable journey from paleontologist to business analyst.
Gain valuable insights into this lesser-known career and learn about the transformative effects business analysis has on efficiency and internal problem-solving across all industries. Tune in for an enlightening conversation and discover why it’s never too late to pivot your career.
Are you a student contemplating a career in the tech industry or a mid-career worker seeking insights amidst recent layoffs?
Join Lora and Zach as they delve into the topic of tech layoffs with special guest Dr. Raynie Wood, Dean of SAIT’s School for Advanced Digital Technology (SADT). In this captivating episode, Dr. Wood explores the resilience of a tech career and offers valuable advice to both students and mid-career workers. Discover how you can leverage your tech skills across various industries, empowering yourself with a versatile skill set that can withstand economic shifts. Tune in to gain expert insights and navigate your career path with confidence.
On the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, we take a unique deep dive into the realm of product development. Our hosts, Lora and Zach, invite guests Renee, Mai, and Emily to explore the challenges and triumphs of working in multidisciplinary teams. Listen as they discuss the intricacies of product marketing, design, and management — revealing the "secret sauce" of creating compelling products.
What are the opportunities for emerging careers in customer success?
On the latest episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, customer success manager (CSM) and co-founder of Yellow Room, Al Renner illuminates the critical role customer success plays in companies across diverse industries, surpassing the confines of the tech sector. Join us as we delve into the day-to-day responsibilities of CSMs and explore the growing demand for these professionals in Alberta.
On this episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, discover why companies are searching for talent to craft compelling product marketing messages — and keep customers coming back. You’ll learn why product marketers are crucial when it comes to championing the customer’s voice, conducting market research and storytelling. Award-winning marketer, Vicki Laszlo, joins the conversation to share advice from her experience working with world-class brands including Starbucks and Twitter.
What are the pathways to a career in product management, and which industries offer the most relevant opportunities?
On this episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, we sit down with project manager Mai Khalil to find out how product management professionals lead multidisciplinary teams and bridge the gap between the customer, business and technology. As consumer demands increase, discover why a growing number of industries are seeing product managers as essential for leading and influencing the most crucial function of an organization — the product.
On this episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, we talk to Senior UX Designer, Emilie Mazurek, to explore the importance of user experience (UX) design — and the key role that UX designers play on teams across almost all industries. As organizations invest in UX designers, this conversation highlights the significance of embracing innovative technologies and a growth mindset.
What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA) anyway? (Hint: it’s changing the way companies operate). On the debut episode of The Best Careers You Never Knew Existed, RPA expert, Matt Sentes, dives into how this in-demand technology is shaping jobs and expanding career paths. Find out why industry leaders are calling RPA the gateway to digital transformation.
Our Partners
CITI
Citi helps accelerate your tech career by helping you build a meaningful network of supporters to keep you accountable.
Windmill Microlending
Windmill Microlending is Canada’s only national charity offering affordable loans to skilled immigrants and refugees.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.