Maciej Zausz, a second-year student in George Brown's Construction Engineering Technician program, was selected as one of 25 students from across North America to receive a competitive IIBEC sponsorship to attend the 2025 Building Enclosure Symposium in St. Louis this October.
The sponsorship, awarded through the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) and its RCI-IIBEC Foundation, recognizes emerging talent in building science and engineering. For Zausz, it represents validation of a bold career change and a new direction that's already bearing fruit.
A career shift rooted in passion
Zausz's path to construction engineering wasn't conventional. With a degree under his belt and nearly a decade in the business world, he built a successful career on the operations side of growing companies, eventually working as a director managing Canadian operations, and later as Vice President of Operations. But something was missing.
"I always liked the building aspect of developing businesses. But once they were established and running, I felt I needed a shift," Zausz explains. After one venture didn't pan out as expected and following a personal move, he found himself at a crossroads.
Growing up as the son of a subcontractor, Zausz had always been drawn to the tangible world of construction. "Through my previous career experiences, it was the construction stuff that really stuck with me," he reflects. "Even when I was running a well-established international company, I'd see an office build-out and think, 'This is awesome.'"
That realization motivated him to pursue further education to achieve his goal. He enrolled in George Brown's two-year diploma program with an accelerated pathway, which offered specialized courses in building science aligned with his future career goals.
Recognition and opportunity
Over the past six years, George Brown students have consistently received IIBEC sponsorships, reflecting the program's quality and faculty commitment to recognizing and encouraging student potential.
"Sponsorship opportunities like this are more than just recognition of our students' academic achievements it is an investment in the future leaders entering this thriving sector," said Dr. Peter Tumidajski, Associate Dean of the Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management. "Maciej is a great example of the calibre of talent we're developing at George Brown, individuals who bring both technical aptitude and genuine passion for advancing the construction industry."
The Building Enclosure Symposium provided Zausz with three days of intensive learning from leading experts in roofing, waterproofing, and exterior wall specifications. Beyond the educational presentations, the experience involved active engagement with vendors, industry professionals, and fellow scholarship recipients networking opportunities that align with his studies and career goals, helping to build a community network that will benefit him well beyond graduation.
Building on a foundation
For students considering a similar journey, whether changing careers or exploring construction and skilled trades, Zausz offers this advice: "Try not to let the fear of failing prevent you from pursuing what you're passionate about. Doing something that you're truly interested in shows in your day-to-day attitude and performance. The rest will take care of itself."
Zausz's story illustrates what's possible when passion meets opportunity. His selection for this sponsorship validates both his individual commitment and George Brown's reputation for preparing students who make meaningful contributions to the construction industry. As he advances through his program, the knowledge and industry connections he has gained will influence his studies and shape his future career.
