When Andrew first joined Consentia, he thought it would be a short-term opportunity, but it quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Fourteen years later, his natural curiosity and eagerness to learn helped him build a strong foundation, and over time, he discovered a genuine passion for the work he does and has become one of the go-to problem solvers on our team. 

His career path began in a research lab, where one of his tasks was to spend hours listening to audio tapes and transcribing the responses of participants. Determined to make the process faster, he challenged himself to improve his typing speed, which led him into a data entry role at Consentia.

Taking On Every Task, Big and Small

Over the years, Andrew’s responsibilities expanded far beyond just data entry. He has been a technician, courier, bug tester, receptionist, and even helped with security from time to time! Andrew is the type of employee who is always willing to step in wherever needed. Today, as part of the Special Projects team, his work is anything but predictable.

One day might involve standard data conversion, and the next could require dusting off Photoshop skills he hadn’t used in decades. Working with specialized equipment and unique client needs means there’s rarely a manual to follow; instead, Andrew relies on research, creativity, and persistence to get the job done.

That persistence is what led him to develop one of his most practical solutions at Consentia. Faced with a recurring task of converting long sequences of numbers into a client-specific code, Andrew realized that manually repeating the process every few days for years would be a huge time sink. So, he built an automated Excel solution.

On his own time, he taught himself formulas, designed safeguards for inconsistent data, and even added a user-friendly interface for others to use. “You just come up with a plan and make it work,” he explains. “If it doesn’t, you make another plan until it does.”

A Mindset of Responsibility and Growth

Naturally, the role isn’t without its challenges. Many of the specialized machines Andrew works with have limited support resources, and external expertise can be costly. In those moments, he often takes the initiative to troubleshoot issues himself, sometimes under the pressure of tight timelines. Yet, instead of viewing this as a burden, Andrew sees it as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions.

“Sometimes I’m working late, and it would be easy to feel worn out, but then I think about the bigger picture: finishing this testing tonight means the project can start tomorrow, giving my coworkers something to work on. A few extra hours can have a real impact on people’s livelihoods. It’s a privilege to be trusted by so many people, but it’s also a responsibility, and if you’re up for it, that responsibility becomes something deeply fulfilling.”

His advice to anyone starting in the industry is straightforward: build a strong team dynamic. “Find people you can rely on. I realized quickly that I can’t do everything on my own, and it gives me peace of mind to know that I can trust someone with the work. With that said, don’t abuse the people you can rely on; if you can do it yourself, you should probably do it yourself.”

The People Who Make It Worthwhile

For Andrew, the people at Consentia are what truly make the work rewarding. “You spend as much time here as you do sleeping, and sometimes more time here than with your friends and family. It’s nice to have coworkers you can genuinely get along with. Many of them I consider friends.” That sense of camaraderie carries through to Consentia’s culture, where leadership and staff all make an effort to come together, whether it’s for milestones, cultural events people want to share and learn about, or holidays.

Some of Andrew’s favourite memories come from seeing coworkers who are newcomers to Canada experience these moments for the very first time. “It was great hearing about someone’s first Halloween, because had we not done anything at the company, the day might have passed them by completely.” Experiences like these highlight how meaningful it is when the team celebrates together, creating not just events, but also connections and memories.

Andrew also credits his colleagues with shaping his career, approaching each day with the mindset that “there’s always something to learn.” When asked what small thing makes his workday better, he says it’s hearing the stories of people’s lives. “Whenever I can get them, those stories remind me that work is about more than just tasks, it’s about the people behind them.” He even developed a tradition of asking departing coworkers for a “pearl of wisdom” before they left, collecting simple but meaningful reminders such as “be more accepting of people” and “family is more important than anyone remembers.” These small lessons have stuck with him and reflect the value he places on learning from those around him.

After fourteen years, Andrew has truly earned his title as “the fixer.” Whether he’s navigating complex technical problems, jumping into unexpected roles, or sharing hard-earned wisdom with colleagues, Andrew’s resourcefulness and commitment reflect the very spirit of Consentia, a place where teamwork, dedication, and creativity can come together to make a real impact.