adjunct instructor

administrative assistant

instructor

web manager

food service worker

SAIT

Coming into SAIT from an agile developer's perspective, there was a lot to be desired here. But while working in the RADLAB, a research and development outfit for serving corporate interests using in-house talent, I truly enjoyed the experience and it improved my technique a lot. 

Because it is a public institution, it must provide all data on purchases, employment and projects. This means there is a strict manner and bureaucracy in regards to how development can be done. That said, it is a great place to work with great people and fun projects. 

No day here is typical, the RADLAB moves faster than most other labs at SAIT, so projects come and go, modular development means we can simultaneously have work done for multiple projects on the go, and we learn at a fast pace constantly. One day will be documentation, another will be a sprint to get a website done, or solving back-end behaviours. Other times we research different technology or devices for inexpensive solutions for interested corporations instead of expensive black box products on the market. You can really feel you are making a difference while working here.

The hardest part of the job is balancing bureaucracy and agile development. The second hardest part is creating infrastructure while moving at a fast pace. Introducing standards for wiki and documentation, project management and coding styles while you are in the middle of a few different projects is hard. Only until the past year did the RADLAB shed itself of low efficiency workers and take off into the powerhouse it is today. It is still in its infancy as a lab, but very capable. The co-workers I had the pleasure of working with are some of the nicest and smartest overachievers I have met. I would gladly work here again.

The best part of working at SAIT is the great benefits. Most positions start with 3 weeks vacation and 4 weeks to start for middle to upper positions. Employer paid health premiums with a health spending account. Generous flex day program and up to 10 special days off for things such as family emergencies, exam days, or other extenuating circumstances. 
The price for these great benefits is that management is terrible. They do not care about their staff and will try to get as much out of you for as little as possible. As a large portion of the positions are part of the union there are certain standards, but management puts so much pressure and makes threats if you don't put in the overtime you may not be here next month. Everyone is very fake and puts on a good face for the public, but those of us in the background are getting beat on. 
As a member of the finance team there are certain times of the year where timelines are very tight. Due to this, management expects you to work on the weekends and come in on holidays and make no effort to compensate or appreciate the extra work. They also beat on you for not doing good enough work, but we always have a clean audit every year from the OAG. 
This is a terrible place to work - at least in finance - if you respect yourself and want to be appreciated for your hard work.

I was responsible in providing customer service to customers who wanted to either purchase tickets or answering questions and directing customers to available parking spots.

I learned how to handle transactions in a fast paced environment and be able to think on my feet in order to provide answers to customers.

My manager was a very relaxed individual who didn't like to stress his employees for no reason, we got along very well. 

Me and all my co-workers became friends because we get to spend a lot of time with each other on the job and we got to know each other very well.

The hardest part of the job is when customers arrive late to the show and I had to sell tickets as fast as possible in order for them to be able to catch the show and not be late. Standing outside in the cold directing traffic was also one of the hardest parts of this position.

The most enjoyable part is the fact that once we get everyone into the shows, then we have couple hours break while the shows is going..we got to hang out as co-workers as well as learn something else during that free time.

I really liked working in an educational environment.  I found it to be very stimulating and I kept learning which is something that is very important to me.  I liked the people I worked with although I found the students to be a challenge.  They were treated too much like consumers and not like students and I think that this is inappropriate.  I do agree that we need to meet all types of learning styles and cultures but we have to also have a strict code whereby the students show RESPECT for their instructors.
I think that SAIT is doing their students a disservice by keeping most of its instructors on contracts without the ability to get permanent employment, no benefits, no vacation pay, no continuing education courses and ability to take workshops offered to permanent employees.  Salary was lower than the going rate for my profession.
The part of my job I enjoyed most was witnessing the growth of my students.

This is an amazing place to work, but as you move up and need to deal more often with management and Executives you will need to have a Master degree in politics...Unfortunately the place lack in a strong culture and principles, although both exists and are reinforced with all new employees, leadership are the first to disregard them. 
The lack of transparency is everywhere, even though the institution claims it is one of its core values :-(. Management and Executives are constantly acting against the organization's core values...There is currently a high turnover everywhere, from Executives to staff, bringing lots of uncertainty and anxiety to everyone.
Being able to work amongst all those students is an energizing environment.

Teaching eager adult learners is an enjoyable experience for those that prepare and know what they are talking about.  Every morning I am eager to get to work.  
Unfortunately over the past couple years SAIT has laid off over 150 staff  (support and faculty) and converted permanent positions into contract positions.  They are being directly replaced with either outside companies or with contractors at less than half the wage with no benefits, little training and zero job security. More layoffs to follow in 2021.  They are literally laying off loyal staff that have worked here for over 20 years.  When a permanent person retires they convert the position into a contract position. 
If you are looking for a job it is a fair place to work short-term but if you are looking for a career look elsewhere.  Don't waste your time.  There are no new career opportunities at SAIT.

SAIT was once a great place to work with an positive community for staff and students, reasonable pay and benefits and a trust between management and staff. After the 2012 oil bust however things have been grim in many areas for this school. Constant attempts to consolidate departments, outsourcing to sleazy outside companies, and constant turn over has turn the company into a directionless mess with no real clear future ahead. Expect to be hired on under contract and not be moved to permanent positions. You will likely be understaffed for your area regardless of departments and underwhelmed by the support and equipment made available to you unless you're bringing in money for the school. Hopefully this will change in the future but at this time I cannot recommend them.

provide general administrative and clerical support including mailing,scanning, faxing and copying to management
    maintain electronic and hard copy filing system
    open, sort and distribute incoming correspondence
    perform data entry and scan documents
    manage calendar for Managing Director
    assist in resolving any administrative problems
    run company’s errands to post office and office supply store
    answer calls from customers regarding their inquiries
    prepare and modify documents including correspondence, reports, drafts, memos and emails
    schedule and coordinate meetings, appointments and travel arrangements for Managers
    maintain office supplies for department

If your looking for a company where you can make a difference to the business, look somewhere else.  SAIT only wants robots who do as they are told, they don't want you to find more efficient ways of doing things, they don't want you using your brain and they certainly don't want you to think outside the box.  They are an institution and have been doing things a certain way for 100 years and they aren't going to change their processes now.

Management certainly don't care about their people either, they are aggressive and bullies and if they don't like you, they make you as miserable as possible hoping you will quit.

For the most part my time at SAIT has been very good, productive, amazing people.  There are two days the same in any given week.  I learned that I really enjoy helping students to find a path,a program, courses that are suitable to their particular situation, circumstances and allowable time.  Most of the coworkers I worked with I would trust impeccably, others not so much.  

Management varies from area to area.  Management styles are so encripted with personality, it is hard sometimes to determine what is what.  The hardest part of the job is trying to get used to new process, practices and in some cases the people.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Adjunct instructor 1 salary reported	$50.00 per hour
Administrative assistant 1 salary reported	$51,470 per year
Instructor 8 salaries reported	$85,641 per year
Web manager 3 salaries reported	$53,362 per year
Food service worker 3 salaries reported	$15.86 per hour

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