099: Taking the Opportunity to Mentor with Patrick Angielczyk | The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast

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We’re back with week 2! Ryan Gray and Patrick Angielczyk discuss the significance of trade shows in the AV industry, the importance of lifelong learning, and the value of mentorship. Patrick shares his experiences at ISE, his passion for music and lean manufacturing, and his pride in mentoring others in the AV field. They also explore networking opportunities and the role of the Rising Professionals Council in career development.

• Trade shows like ISE are crucial for networking and learning.
• Lifelong learning is essential in the AV industry.
• Mentorship can take many forms and doesn’t have to be formal.
• The worst that can happen when trying something new is rejection.
• Teaching others helps reinforce your own knowledge.
• Networking can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Being involved in professional councils can enhance career growth.
• Customer service is a key aspect of AV technology roles.
• Lean manufacturing principles can improve efficiency in AV work.
• Personal interests, like music, can complement professional skills.

Connect with Patrick:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patangielczyk/
patrick.angielczyk@mohawkcollege.ca

Learn about the AVIXA Rising Professionals Council
https://www.avixa.org/membership/committees-councils/rising-professionals-council

Connect with Ryan:
https://twitter.com/Ryan_A_Gray 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
ryan@higheredav.com

Follow the Show:
http://higheredav.com/ryangray

Voiceovers by Chris Dechter:
https://twitter.com/cdechter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdechter/

Please rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts, feedback is very welcome and we look forward to hearing from you!

Curiosity, Climbing, and Community: Patrick Angielczyk’s Impact on Higher Ed AV

By Ryan Gray

In the world of higher education technology, where the pace of innovation often outstrips the resources to keep up, professionals who embody both technical expertise and a passion for mentorship stand out. Patrick Angielczyk, AV Technologist at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, is one of those standout figures. His journey, as shared on the AVIT Amplifier podcast hosted by Ryan Gray, paints the portrait of a deeply curious, service-oriented leader who’s making a quiet but powerful impact in the world of campus AV and beyond.

Across two episodes, Angielczyk opens up about the trade shows that energize him, the philosophies that guide his service mindset, and the surprising hobbies and habits that fuel his personal growth. In a conversation full of warmth and insight, he also reflects on mentorship, lifelong learning, and the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone — whether into a climbing harness or a professional opportunity.

From Hamilton to Barcelona: Chasing Connection in AV

When Angielczyk appears on AVIT Amplifier, he’s not only representing Mohawk College — he’s representing a global mindset that increasingly defines the higher ed AV community. Ryan Gray introduces him as one of the show’s international standouts, proudly noting how the podcast’s audience and contributor base has expanded far beyond the United States.

This international flair is something Angielczyk leans into fully. He shares the story of his first experience at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the massive AV trade show in Barcelona. Initially invited by Canadian distributor Data Visual, he was immediately struck by the sheer scale and energy of the event.

“I was blown away,” he recalls. “There are eight or nine halls, each packed with unified communications, digital signage—just everything under the AV umbrella.”

What began as a sponsored visit soon turned into a personal commitment. In 2024, he returned on his own vacation time, funding his trip and weaving in the trade show as a professional pilgrimage of sorts.

“There’s a whack load of networking,” he says with a grin, noting that he made a point to arrive early to the HETMA booth to claim one of the highly sought-after HETMA scarves. “I didn’t want to scrap with anybody just to get one!”

Gray and Angielczyk share a laugh, both having used personal time to attend ISE. It’s clear that for both men, trade shows aren’t just about swag or flashy product demos—they’re about reconnecting with peers, building community, and affirming that higher education deserves a strong voice in the professional AV conversation.

HETMA and the Power of Presence

One of the recurring themes in the conversation is the growing presence and influence of HETMA—the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance. For Angielczyk, HETMA’s visibility at events like ISE is a big deal.

“I was very happy to see that HETMA had a booth,” he says. “It’s so important to have higher ed represented.”

It’s so important to have higher ed represented.

HETMA’s booth wasn’t just a place to hang out and grab giveaways. It was a hub of connection and conversation. For Angielczyk, whose career spans AV support, IT process improvement, and mentorship, HETMA is a model for what industry advocacy and peer networking should look like.

“Being part of that community reminds me that higher ed is not an afterthought in the AV world,” he explains. “It’s a vital space full of dedicated professionals solving unique problems every day.”

Beyond Tech: The Mindset of Service

Angielczyk is quick to point out that AV is about more than hardware and cables. For him, it’s about service — especially in high-stakes moments when classroom technology fails and the clock is ticking.

“It’s not a good time for anybody when something breaks,” he says. “It takes time out of the teaching schedule, it’s stressful for the faculty, and it’s stressful for us.”

That’s why he’s pursued ITIL certification (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), focused on streamlining IT service delivery. He’s also studying Lean Six Sigma, a methodology often applied in manufacturing and healthcare, but increasingly useful in education for improving systems and processes.

“What I’m learning about quality control and process improvement applies to both work and life,” he says. “It helps us be more efficient, more thoughtful—and ultimately, provide better service.”

Gray notes that his institution has made ITIL foundations training a requirement for full-time tech staff, affirming the growing overlap between AV and IT disciplines. It’s a trend Angielczyk embraces fully.

Mentorship as Leadership

As the conversation shifts, Gray asks a deceptively simple question: “What’s something you’re really proud of?”

Angielczyk doesn’t hesitate. “Mentorship,” he says. “I’m proud that people come to me, trust me with their time, and want to learn from me.”

I’m proud that people come to me, trust me with their time, and want to learn from me.

Over the past few years, he’s mentored several up-and-coming AV professionals—some formally through AVIXA’s Rising Professionals Council, others more informally. Some have gone on to earn their CTS certification; others discovered that AV wasn’t quite their calling.

“That’s okay too,” Angielczyk says. “The point is that they were willing to explore, and I got to help with that.”

He’s a strong advocate for making mentorship more approachable.

“It doesn’t have to be this big structured thing. Sometimes it’s just grabbing a coffee and chatting,” he explains. “You never know what can come out of a conversation.”

In fact, when a mentee had a scheduled check-in during the same time as a HETMA Roadshow, Angielczyk suggested they attend the event instead. “The best mentorship that week was getting them into the room with other professionals,” he says. “That’s where the learning happens.”

The Climber’s Mindset: Embracing Discomfort

One of the most memorable parts of the interview is a detour into Angielczyk’s unexpected hobby: rock climbing. A few years ago, on a whim, he visited a climbing gym in Burlington. Intrigued by the bouldering he saw, he decided to give it a shot.

“I just thought, ‘Why not?’” he laughs. “I bought some gear, met some people, and had a great time.”

Although life got busy and climbing took a backseat, he recently dusted off his gear and sent a photo to a fellow AV professional who’s also into climbing.

“He said, ‘Don’t tease me like that—did you go climbing?’” Angielczyk jokes. “Not yet, but maybe soon.”

Gray notes how many people get the urge to try something new, but never follow through. He asks what made Angielczyk actually take the leap.

“There’s always that voice: ‘What am I doing here?’” Angielczyk admits. “But then I ask myself, ‘What’s wrong with learning something new?’ The worst that can happen is someone says no or it doesn’t work out—and then I go home. That’s it.”

It’s a philosophy that applies to climbing, conferences, and career moves alike. “If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not really learning,” he says.

AVIXA’s Rising Professionals Council: A Stepping Stone

As a member of the AVIXA Rising Professionals Council, Angielczyk is helping shape the pipeline of future AV leaders. He speaks proudly of the council’s initiatives, including the “Put a Face to an AV Career Path” event at Infocom. Originally intended to be a structured presentation, the team quickly pivoted to informal networking, which turned out to be far more impactful.

“We had people walk up and say, ‘I’m interested in project management,’ and we’d point them to someone in the room who’s already doing that,” he says. “It became this organic space for mentorship.”

The Council also maintains resources like the “Keys to Success” guide and a revamped “First 90 Days” roadmap for new professionals in various AV roles. These materials, along with personal conversations and networking opportunities, provide a springboard for those who may be unsure where they fit in.

“If you like the AV industry but don’t know where you belong, the Rising Professionals Council is a great place to start,” Angielczyk says. “We’re here to help people find their path.”

If Not AV, Then What?

When Gray asks Angielczyk what he might be doing if not for his current role in AV, the response is both candid and revealing.

“I’d probably be a professional student,” he laughs. “Or maybe a professor.”

He doesn’t rule out the possibility entirely. “I think the best way to learn is to teach,” he says. “When you explain something to someone else, it solidifies your own knowledge.”

One recent example: a mentee studying for their CTS exam asked a question that sent Angielczyk back to the textbook. “Cracking open that book again, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I remember this!’ It was a great way to revisit those concepts.”

Words of Wisdom—and a Soft Sign-Off

As the podcast draws to a close, Gray asks his signature question: What’s your sign-off line?

Angielczyk smiles. “Patrick Angielczyk from Mohawk College. Thank you very much, and good night.”

It’s a simple phrase, but one that reflects his style: approachable, respectful, and driven by substance over flash. In a field often defined by flashy technology and fast-paced change, Angielczyk is a reminder that the most meaningful progress often starts with listening, mentoring, and showing up — whether in the lab, at a trade show, or dangling ten feet off the ground.

How to Connect

For those interested in reaching out, Angielczyk encourages connections via LinkedIn or email (patrick.angielczyk@mohawkcollege.ca). He also welcomes those curious about mentorship, AVIXA’s Rising Professionals Council, or career development in higher ed AV.

“Come find us,” he says. “We’re here. And we’re building something together.”