In the Salt Lake Community College staff directory Amir
Sadeghi’s title is listed as “specialist,” which doesn’t quite capture what he
does at South City Campus.
But even Sadeghi isn’t sure how to frame his job
description.
For example, his cell phone rings on Wednesday afternoon in
June. It’s someone who needs access to a walk-in cooler to store food for an
event that night. At other events he might need to find someone to set up
tables and chairs or, in lieu of available laborers, he’ll do it himself.
Sadeghi settles on “event management” as a catch-all for
what he does, which includes being in on security issues and making sure event
planners follow rules set in place by the College.
“I make sure all the events pretty much follow regulations
and make sure they have what they need for a successful event,” he said. “A
little keeping in line and making things happen.”
So, anyone who has planned or worked on an event at South
City Campus over the past year has worked with Sadeghi, who has a knack for
carving away the fat of any situation and getting to the meat of the matter.
It’s an approach that might be a refreshing addition to, say, politics – that
is, if he had the stomach for it.
“I do not like politics. I don’t trust politicians,” he
said. “Anyone who speaks a lawyer’s language, I do not trust.”
Sadeghi doesn’t hold anything against lawyers doing their
job, it’s the language they use that seems to permeate too many discussions
between elected officials that runs counter to how he likes to communicate.
“I’m a very straight-forward person,” he said. “I like to
get to the point and solve the problem. I don’t like to play games and beat
around the bush.”
So, politics are out as a future career path for this
student at SLCC, where he is studying to earn an associate degree before moving
on toward a degree in mathematics.
“I’ll get my math degree and see where it takes me from
there,” he said. “I’ll always try to work on (creating) opportunities, and when
doors open I’ll work through them – but I won’t jump.”
Thoughtful and methodical are two words that describe the
man who spent six years of his childhood in Iran, his father’s birthplace and
current home. Sadeghi’s mother is from Peru, where he traveled recently for
five weeks.
“I’m going there for myself,” he said before embarking on
the trip to Peru. He said he wanted to see a lot of sunrises and enjoy the trip
without worrying about taking photos all the time or sharing it all on social
media, as is the trend these days.
At home he likes to play soccer with his cousins and
friends. Or, if you’re walking down a certain street in downtown Salt Lake
City, you might hear him relaxing in his apartment while playing flamenco-style
music on his classical guitar.
“I play for myself,” he said. “I don’t pick it up to try and
please anyone. I just go to that little relaxing place, get away from the
world, even if you’re on a busy street.”
But he does please people at work, where he started as a
cashier and flexed his customer services muscles – revealing a rare quasi-boast
from him.
“I did love the cashiering job simply because of the
interaction I had with students,” he said. “I was good at it. I have natural
customer service skills.”
He was a cashier for about 18 months before being encouraged
to take on his current position.
“I think I’ve made people pretty happy so far – and I’m
still here,” he said. “People tell me thank you and I help them out a lot, and
they’re grateful.”
Sadeghi has never been a “money guy,” preferring a simpler
life, happy to accept a simple and humble ‘Thank you’ from those he helps. But
he spends the gratitude as soon as he receives it.
“I don’t carry it,” he said. “I enjoy the moment and I let
it sit there. I don’t take it with me, because you have to take one challenge
at a time. If you carry that with you, it makes you too cocky.”
The word “simple” keeps popping up in a conversation with
Sadeghi, who notes that he’s an “open book.” Again, it’s refreshing.
“I’m a very simple person,” he said. “If something doesn’t
need to be said, I keep it to myself.”