Career Options
From astrophysics to woodworking, Andrew Coholic saw an outlet for his creativityFollowing his passionWhile pursuing studies in astrophysics at the University of Toronto, Andrew Coholic looked forward to each summer when he would return home and work in his father’s wood shop again. ANTOINE TEDESCO |
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 [ 2007-05-16 ] |
In March 2007, Coholic received the Woodworker of the Year award. The award is given to an individual who not only exhibits excellent skills in their craft, but also understands the importance of giving back to the community. Inset: One of Coholic’s furniture pieces.
After his first year at U of T, Coholic decided he was going to pursue woodworking. Following his passion would come two years later when he enrolled in Kitchener, Ontario’s Conestoga College at the age of 21. He readily admits his decision wasn’t received too well by most of his family and friends.
“Mistake”
“I had a lot, I mean a lot, of people tell me that I was making a mistake,” said Coholic from his home in Kirkland Lake, Ont.
“Many family friends and even my older sister told me I was making a mistake to not finish university and go to college (instead),” he said. “However, after much thought and discussion with my father, my friends and even some of my teachers at U of T, I knew I was making the right choice.”
Coholic admits when he decided to go to college his father was the only one who genuinely understood his decision.
“Some people still have this idea that trades are not as smart a choice as some professional occupations such as the traditional doctor/ lawyer/teacher or other careers. However, seeing my father love his profession day in and day out, really made me understand that if you love a particular thing go for it no matter who tells you otherwise.”
In March 2007 Coholic received the Woodworker of the Year award. Presented annually by Canadian Home Workshop magazine, the award is given to an individual who not only exhibits excellent skills in their craft, but also understands the importance of giving back to the community.
Coholic accommodates high school students in co-op placements and job shadowing as well as offering his shop to help teens build their own guitars (he plays guitar in a local band).
He also shares his skills with kids by holding model plane workshops at the local School of Arts.
“To be honest, I do most of what I do because I really enjoy working with kids and I love to share my knowledge with them,” he said. “It makes me very happy to pass on anything I can to the next generation, so to speak. Just like my father did with me. I would love to show them how much satisfaction comes from creating things, from using their minds and hands together.”
Artistic talent
Coholic, a custom woodworker, sees his career as very artistic. He said the skills to engineer and construct a quality piece of furniture are absolutely necessary, but it is just as important to make it look “right.”
“I think many other trades have some degree of artistic talent involved — more than most people imagine. I hate to say it, but traditionally the better students have been pushed to go to university rather than colleges and apprenticeships. I feel that we need more of the hardworking students who are excelling in school who may be interested in a trade be shown that it is a very viable alternative to going to university.
“I think what is missing is trying to explain to students that a trade can be a very rewarding career, where you can use your brain and your hands, be challenged and also achieve a lot of satisfaction.”
Antoine Tedesco is senior editor of Toronto news and culture e-zine SceneandHeard.ca
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