Two generations of a family educationally connected, learning side by side

Father and Son Pursue Unique Education Path in Business and Carpentry

In an unusual yet inspiring move, Icelandic father and son duo, Sigurður Brynjar Pálsson and Sölvi Steinn Sigurðsson, are embarking on a joint educational journey that blends business administration with carpentry.

Sigurður, the CEO of BYKO, and Sölvi, a student at the University of Iceland, are currently learning carpentry at FB's evening school. Both are set to graduate in the fall of 2023.

For Sigurður, the carpentry education is not just a hobby. He believes it will enhance his understanding of the challenges faced by BYKO customers and improve his ability to assist them. "The coursework is challenging but beneficial, particularly in developing three-dimensional thinking and understanding building dimensions," he said.

Studying carpentry with his son has been a rewarding experience for Sigurður. "There's a mutual exchange of opinions and conclusions. Going to school together has been a special and enjoyable experience for us," he added.

Sölvi, initially had no plans to study carpentry, but decided to join his father's carpentry class. He finds the course to be varied and suitable for everyone, regardless of prior knowledge or experience.

The son, Sölvi, is studying Business at the University of Iceland. He mentioned a potential future collaboration with his father, known as "Fathers on tour." Sölvi is confident that his carpentry studies will be useful in the future, whether at work or in building his own home.

Balancing school and carpentry studies can be stressful, but they find it manageable with organization. Both Sigurður and Sölvi enjoy the hands-on aspect of their carpentry studies.

Sigurður has a past experience working for a construction contractor. He emphasizes the value of lifelong learning and gaining a wider perspective through education. He plans to complete his bachelor's degree and potentially pursue a Master's program.

In the summer of next year, they plan to build a guesthouse at the family's summerhouse. This project will undoubtedly showcase their combined skills and the unique blend of business and carpentry knowledge they have acquired.

The concurrent study of business administration and carpentry can provide a unique combination of practical hands-on skills alongside valuable management and organizational knowledge. This blend can prepare students for diverse career paths, including running their own trade business or advancing into construction management roles.

Studying business administration and carpentry concurrently offers complementary skill sets. Carpentry offers hands-on building skills and technical expertise in construction and repair, while business administration provides critical skills in project management, finance, leadership, and organizational strategy.

The blend of practical and theoretical learning requires good time management but offers a comprehensive skill set. Graduates with knowledge in both areas are well-suited for positions like construction managers, small business owners, or supervisors who understand both the trades and business operations.

Some institutions offer combined trades and business-related programs, including carpentry combined with welding or construction management, reflecting demand for multi-skilled workers. Students often value learning how to work with diverse teams and managing projects on job sites.

In summary, concurrent study of business administration and carpentry equips students with a versatile, in-demand skill set bridging technical craftsmanship and business acumen, though it requires balancing distinct learning styles and workloads. This dual expertise can lead to robust career opportunities in construction, contracting, and trade business management.

In this unique educational journey, the concurrent study of business administration and carpentry can lead to a versatile skill set that combines technical craftsmanship with business acumen (education-and-self-development). For instance, the father, Sigurður, believes that his carpentry education will improve his ability to serve his business customers better (opinion). Moreover, Sölvi, who initially had no plans to study carpentry, found the course to be beneficial, suitable for everyone, and potentially useful in his future career or construction of his own home (learning).