Byron Rudolph, a 20-year-old native of Gjoa Haven, is currently studying for his construction management and civil engineering diploma at Calgary's Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).

For the summer, he's returned to his home community to take advantage of the summer student program being offered by the hamlet. He's currently working as a mechanic at hamlet garage in his home community. 

"I'm helping my manager with whatever he's working on... for example, right now, we're working on [repairing] a water truck to pump at the houses [in town]. We repair whatever is broken and put it back together again. Mike [the owner of the garage] tells us what to do, and then we can try on our own. We're also working on rebuilding parts. If we're having a slow day, I also work on dispatch."

Rudolph says the experience is going to help him in his future career as an engineer.

"I feel like it would be good knowledge to gain... it's pretty good knowledge [to have] as I'll be working with mid-sized vehicles. Let's say I'm at an engineering firm and one of my trucks broke down, I might be able to fix it."

After completing his diploma at SAIT, Rudolph hopes to then transfer to the University of Calgary to get a degree in engineering. 

"My plan after getting my degree would be getting experience in the south, and going back north to start work."

Rudolph would ideally like to work for Stantec, an engineering and architectural firm with an office in Iqaluit.

"I feel like communities are starting to grow like my hometown is," says Rudolph. "It's a good way to stay home in Nunavut and also have work to do. I don't want to just stay in Gjoa Haven. I'd like to work all around Nunavut."