When Pierce Kam, an Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology student at McMaster University, began his search for a co-op placement, he never imagined it would lead him across the Atlantic to the headquarters of the LEGO Group in Billund, Denmark. What began as a creative job-hunting strategy turned into a life-changing opportunity – one that combined a childhood passion with his academic pursuits. 

Curiosity uncovers co-op opportunity 

Pierce’s journey to The LEGO Group didn’t follow a conventional route. Frustrated by the lack of responses when applying to opportunities through job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, he pivoted to a more imaginative approach: researching the origins of everyday objects around him in hopes of uncovering the companies who engineered them and more job leads. This curiosity led him to discover where local transit vehicles were manufactured and eventually, to the LEGO website. 

“I was building with LEGO bricks one day and decided to apply the same strategy,” he recalls. “I came across a design intern position in Billund, Denmark where the LEGO brick originated, but to my disappointment the application window had closed. Still, my co-op advisor Valerie Preston encouraged me to apply for the next wave as it seemed like a perfect fit for me.” 

With support from McMaster’s Centre for Career Growth and Experience, marketing sessional lecturer Matthew Schonewille, his family and community at the Hamilton Chinese Christian Fellowship and Church on the Rock, Pierce submitted a standout application that included a custom-designed poster and his YouTube channel as a portfolio of his works. After a series of interviews, including a creative challenge to build something that represented himself – he chose a compass – Pierce received the offer. 

From Hamilton to Billund 

Relocating to Denmark was both exciting and daunting. “I never imagined I’d get the chance to work internationally,” Pierce says. “It was a huge step.” He credits the LEGO Group for providing significant support, including a travel advisor and covering some travel costs. After navigating visa requirements and securing housing, Pierce felt more prepared for life in a new country. 

Billund, a small and peaceful town of 7,300 residents, is the global headquarters of the LEGO Group. There, Pierce works in the LEGO Innovation House under the LEGO Adults team, which develops sets for franchises like Architecture and Botanicals. While he can’t disclose specific projects, he describes the environment as “open, inspiring and playful.” 

“There are moments where you feel like a kid again,” he says. “You’re building with LEGO bricks, experimenting with ideas and surrounded by creativity.” 

Pierce’s engineering background has proven invaluable. He applies CAD skills to LEGO-specific design software like LEGO Digital Designer and draws on knowledge from courses in control theory and marketing to inform his design decisions. “Engineering intuition helps me create reliable, functional builds,” he explains. 

He’s also developed crucial soft skills including teamwork, handling feedback well and cross-cultural communication. “You learn to let go of ideas and embrace new ones. That’s a tough but important skill,” Pierce says. 

A passion reignited  

Pierce’s love for LEGO bricks/experience began in childhood, collecting sets from Star Wars to Power Miners. But when entering university, he felt external pressure to “professionalize” and leave his LEGO passion behind. His YouTube channel, launched in 2018, began as a digital archive of his collection. Over time, and with the LEGO work opportunity helping to legitimize his passion, it evolved into a creative outlet where he merges engineering with LEGO design. 

One of his proudest personal projects is a custom LEGO private regional jet, designed in the style of 1990s LEGO passenger planes. He developed digital instructions and made the set available online, managing the entire process during a busy academic semester. “It was a challenge, but I learned so much – from marketing to part sourcing.” 

While Pierce isn’t sure what the future holds, he’s open to continuing with the LEGO Group if the opportunity arises. He plans to keep growing his personal YouTube channel and hopes to inspire others by combining technology and creativity. “I want to keep pushing boundaries and contributing to the LEGO community, both in Canada and globally,” he says 

Reflecting on his experience, Pierce emphasizes the importance of community. “When people come together to support each other, amazing things can happen. I wouldn’t be here without that support.”