Category: Students presentations

As an environmental technologies engineer specializing in circular economy with a focus on minerals and construction materials, my professional future is filled with both challenges and exciting opportunities. The field of circular economy is gaining increasing attention as society recognizes the need for sustainable practices to address environmental concerns.

In the context of minerals and construction materials, my role as a professional in this field is crucial. The construction industry is a significant contributor to resource consumption, waste generation, and environmental impact. Embracing a circular economy approach in this sector involves rethinking traditional linear processes and promoting the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of materials. It also involves considering the entire life cycle of materials, from extraction to disposal.

One of the challenges I foresee is the need for a paradigm shift in the industry’s mindset. Convincing stakeholders to adopt circular economy principles may require overcoming resistance to change and demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of such approaches. It will be essential to work collaboratively with industry professionals, policymakers, and the public to create a more sustainable and circular construction sector.

On the positive side, being part of this transformative journey is incredibly fulfilling. Contributing to the development and implementation of innovative technologies and strategies that minimize waste, reduce carbon footprint, and promote resource efficiency is a meaningful endeavor. As an environmental technologies engineer, I have the opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping a more sustainable future for the construction industry.

I also anticipate that my role will involve staying abreast of emerging technologies, materials, and policies related to circular economy practices. Continuous learning and adaptation to new advancements will be essential to remain effective in driving positive change.

In conclusion, my professional future as an environmental technologies engineer in the field of circular economy for minerals and construction materials is both challenging and promising. The prospect of making a tangible impact on sustainability in a critical industry motivates me to pursue innovative solutions and advocate for a more circular and responsible approach to resource management.

In shaping our professional future, it is essential to achieve a balance between technological advancements and societal welfare instead of letting the market completely govern our careers.

In the constantly changing domain of professional development, the assimilation of novel technologies plays a crucial part in moulding the future. Although technology undoubtedly propels us towards proficiency and equips us with capabilities that would have been unimaginable a few centuries ago, relying on it excessively or using it inappropriately can impede our progress and hinder our advancement instead of fostering it.

The incorporation of new technologies should not lead to the disregard of social values and human welfare. Instead, we are responsible for shaping policies and frameworks that prioritize the well-being of individuals in a rapidly evolving professional environment. This approach enables us to fully harness technology’s potential to enhance our lives and simultaneously guard against uncontrolled consumption.

In today’s world, technological advancements are dominating the professional sphere, leading to radical transformations. Automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence are altering industries, resulting in unprecedented changes in the way we work. In this context, the social repercussions of a market-driven society furnish a valuable framework to comprehend the implications of these developments.

The commodification of labour and the subjugation of societal needs to the demands of the market could lead to social dislocation and upheaval. When examining the integration of new technologies into our professional futures from this perspective, we must carefully consider how these changes affect the balance between market forces and human well-being.

The current global trend of consumption commodifies not only goods and services, but also labour and nature. This trend is particularly evident in the realm of new technologies, as shown by the gig economy, where individuals are transformed into commodified units of labour in a digital marketplace. Although these platforms provide flexibility and efficiency, they also give rise to concerns surrounding job security, fair remuneration, and the undermining of traditional employment frameworks.

In contemplating my professional future, I am drawn to the intersection of chemical engineering, material science, and circular economy. As a student with a background in these fields, I am interested in the potential to revolutionize industries through sustainable practices. My passion lies in the innovative realm of thermoplastics, and simultaneously, my interest extends to advanced materials and clean energy technologies, which reflects my commitment to shaping a more sustainable world. The prospect of working on projects that contribute to cleaner energy sources and eco-friendly materials resonates deeply with my values.

I am open to embracing new challenges and adapting to emerging technologies, knowing that this adaptability will be key in making meaningful contributions. Additionally, I am not just searching for a job; I am seeking a vibrant, culturally rich city that aligns with my values and provides an inspiring backdrop for my career. The diversity and rich culture of such a city are essential for fostering creativity.

Ultimately, my reflection on the professional future revolves around a deep desire to innovate responsibly, finding sustainable solutions that harmonize with our planet’s ecological balance. I hope that the journey ahead promises not just a fulfilling career but also a chance to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

I regularly schedule time to reflect about my future prospects and think about small steps on how to accomplish them.

Starting work when I graduated back in 2014, I have been to many different technical departments and found myself enamored with packaging science. I have found my niche which synergizes my creativity and my engineering background. Due to this, I have set certain milestones in order to specialize in this field. After this master, I expect to work in more designing and research of sustainable packaging materials in order to help alleviate the issues surrounding plastic pollution and resource management. I want to have impactful work, and would like to have a big network of people and projects which pursue this common goal. I may try to get more certifications such as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) in the near future depending on the opportunity. Furthermore, I would like to apply new technologies such as additive manufacturing, machine learning, AI and big data to improve the over-all life cycle management of packaging in all of its applicable facets.

My goal is to become an expert in the sustainable packaging / recycling field and be a consultant that will handle several projects across different  industry sectors. And at the end, I plan to retire early and set up my own freelance company to help small to medium scale start-ups and to educate new professionals in designing sustainable packaging while travelling the world and/or while managing my small café.

As an industrial design engineer with a master’s degree in advanced materials and innovative recycling, I stand at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industrial landscape. My educational journey has imbued me with a robust foundation in design principles, engineering practices, and material sciences, while also equipping me with specialized knowledge in the sustainable management and innovative reuse of materials. I find myself at a unique crossroads where the potential for impact is vast, and the paths to professional fulfillment are numerous and varied.

The urgency of climate change and the global commitment to sustainability have opened up new vistas for innovation in my field. I envision a professional future where I can leverage my skills to revolutionize the way industries think about product lifecycle, from initial design to end-of-life. The mantra ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ has become more nuanced with advancements in material science, and I am excited to contribute to this narrative by designing products that are not only efficient and aesthetic but also inherently sustainable.

Advanced materials are the cornerstone of next-generation industrial products, and my expertise positions me uniquely to be an innovator in this space. Whether it’s developing biodegradable composites, engineering smart materials that adapt to their environment, or creating efficient recycling processes that minimize waste, the opportunities for making a tangible difference are plentiful.

I see a particular niche in collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, where my skills could complement those of chemists, environmental scientists, and supply chain experts to develop holistic solutions to material challenges. This synergy is essential as we move towards a circular economy, where product design is inherently linked to recycling and reuse strategies.

Furthermore, the entrepreneurial aspect of my profession excites me. There is a burgeoning market for startups focused on green technologies and sustainable practices. As someone with both technical know-how and a creative mindset, I could play a pivotal role in a startup environment, where agility and innovation are the keys to success.

Teaching and research also present themselves as rewarding avenues. Sharing knowledge and inspiring future generations of engineers and designers is not just a noble pursuit but also a way to amplify my impact. Working in academia or a research institution would allow me to delve deeper into uncharted territories of advanced materials, pioneering research that could lead to breakthroughs in sustainable industrial practices.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in large companies also align with my professional aspirations. Contributing to projects that make tangible differences in environmental impact, resource conservation, and societal benefit is deeply appealing. My role could shape the way these companies integrate sustainability into their core operations and philosophy, making a significant environmental and social impact.

In reflection, the intertwining of design, engineering, and sustainability forms the tapestry of my professional future. I am passionate about contributing to a world where products are designed not just for function and form but also with foresight into their environmental legacy. With my background in advanced materials and innovative recycling, I am prepared to tackle the challenges of sustainable industrial design and to be part of the solution in our collective pursuit of a greener future. The journey will be one of continuous learning, innovation, and commitment to sustainable development. I am optimistic about what the future holds and eager to make a meaningful contribution to the field and the planet.

Over time, the traditional approach to work has typically followed a familiar pattern: discover an interest, pursue education, enter the workforce, and remain in that field until retirement. However, with technological advancements and revolutions ahead there is a potential threat of AI replacing jobs leading to people having to consider multiple career shifts throughout their lives.

This signifies a shift where past job-specific skills might not be as critical in the future if you are forced to give up a career path to pursue something else. Instead, emphasis may shift towards cultivating soft skills like adaptability, continuous learning, and maintaining mental agility, to easier overcome the challenges of transitioning careers more frequently. As our professional lives are expected to extend due to us living longer, the ability to learn and adapt becomes very important.

Reflecting on such insights shared by influential author Yuval Noah Harari, I’ve contemplated my own career path. While I might optimistically (naively) believe it won’t significantly affect me, I acknowledge this might come from me not fully understanding the extent of AI’s potential implications. However, since the field of sustainability is still on its rise in society, I believe that the importance of such jobs will only increase in the future. Personally, I am looking forward to being challenged at my future workplace and I will hopefully have the possibility to evolve in many different fields and have the opportunity to constantly learn more and deepen my knowledge day by day. Therefore I think that will give me an edge against the possibility of being replaced by AI or automation processes. 

This realization has deepened my understanding of the significance of continuous learning. I’m committed to maintaining an open mind and challenging myself in many ways to be prepared to improvise, adapt and overcome future challenges if the need for a career shift should arise.

In a world marked by the stark increase in climate-related disasters over the past two decades, the urgency for transformative, systemic shifts toward sustainability has become undeniable. The call for action echoes across key sectors—energy, food, health—demanding a reevaluation of our approaches and a commitment to a net-zero carbon future.

Confronted by this reality, I’ve chosen to embark on a journey of personal and professional transformation. The decision to enroll in the AMIR master’s program stems from a deep-seated desire to be an active agent of change, to contribute meaningfully to the transition towards a sustainable world.

As I reflect on my professional future, I am driven by the need to align my aspirations with the pressing demands of our time. With a background in automotive and mining industries, my goal is to leverage this experience alongside the knowledge gained from my master’s program. I aspire to secure a position in a technical area where I can integrate past expertise and recent insights, making a positive impact by championing sustainable practices and innovation in line with circular economy principles.

The question of the future career has probably been one of the questions I have most often answered with “I don’t know” since I was born. Whether it was during an interview or a family gathering, not knowing what to say would make me so tense that I have had a lot of time to think about it. And… I still don’t know !! Defining an ideal job role remains difficult because what I seek in work goes beyond a job title or mission.

I’m firmly convinced that my desire to work is rooted in sharing, collaboration, and a focus on common interests ahead of personal gain. I’m convinced that to truly thrive in a job, it is important to be connected with individuals who enjoy hands-on involvement, who enjoy interacting with all levels of a company’s personnel, and who find satisfaction in seeing the results of long-term efforts.

While technology, algorithms, computers, phones, and AI have undoubtedly driven progress in many sectors of society, including critical ones. I hold the belief that these technological advancements should never overtake the value of human cooperation, face-to-face interactions, in-person collaboration (instead of boring zoom), and knowledge sharing. My goal is to find a job that places these collective values at the forefront, as I strongly believe they always contribute positively to our society.