ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti, sˈæmæɾɚ bɪɡˈæn wˈɜːkɪŋ æt ðə nˈæʃənəl tˈiːtʃɪŋ kˈɑːlɪdʒ ɪn səmˈɑːliə ɐlˈɔŋsaɪd sˈɛvɹəl ɐmˈɛɹɪkən laɪbɹˈɛɹiənz.
In 1970, Samatar began working at the National Teaching College in Somalia alongside several American librarians.