Category: Students presentations

After watching the documentary #MiEmpleoMiFuturo, I feel both uncertain and motivated about my future career. As a master’s student specializing in Circular Economy and with a background in Nanotechnology Engineering, I realize that the rapid rise of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) will change how industries operate. Although machines might take over many jobs, new opportunities will emerge for people who can think critically, solve complex problems, and innovate—skills that machines cannot replicate​

In my field, which focuses on sustainable practices like urban mining and recycling construction waste, I see the need for human-driven solutions to global challenges like climate change and pollution. Machines can process information, but they won’t care about the environment or social well-being. This makes me feel that my work has a purpose beyond just the technical aspects—it’s about making a real difference in the world​

The documentary also highlighted how the current education system doesn’t always prepare us for this future. We need to focus more on developing critical thinking and creativity, skills that will remain valuable in a tech-driven world. As I move forward in my career, I want to stay flexible, continuously learning, and using my skills to help create a more sustainable future.

Overall, the future is uncertain, but it also holds exciting possibilities for those of us willing to adapt and use technology to make a positive impact on the planet and society.

Watching “The 2 Most Important Skills for the Rest of Your Life” was a wake-up call for me. It showed how technology, despite its amazing potential to connect and empower us, can also harm society when ethics take a back seat. It made me think about how even well-intentioned innovations can lead to consequences we might not expect.

As someone passionate about sustainability and materials science, this hit close to home. While I want to work on solutions like recycling and renewable energy systems, this documentary made me realize that my focus can’t just be on solving technical problems. I need to think about the bigger picture—how my work will impact people’s lives, the environment, and the future.

This experience has left me inspired to approach my career with more thoughtfulness. I want to make sure that the work I do, whether it’s designing better materials or creating sustainable technologies, truly helps build a better world. It’s a reminder that behind every calculation and experiment, there are real people and real consequences, and that’s something I’ll carry with me moving forward.

After watching the documentary, I really felt a renewed sense of purpose regarding my professional path in material science and circular economy. Seeing the profound effects of resource depletion and waste accumulation underscored the importance of sustainable practices in industries like construction and manufacturing, areas directly connected to my studies.

As I work toward my MSc in Advanced Material Science, Innovation, and Recycling, I am more determined than ever to focus on developing solutions that promote a circular economy, reduce environmental impact, and make sustainable practices more accessible to industries worldwide.

Reflecting on my future career, I see myself actively working on projects that bridge the gap between sustainable material innovation and practical industry applications. My background in chemical engineering and current focus on Materials engineering and circularity metrics have equipped me with a strong foundation to pursue impactful work in sustainability.

I hope to contribute to a future where industries are increasingly reliant on renewable energy, less wasteful in resource consumption, and proactive in recycling and recovery. So in general I will work on sustainable materials innovation and project designs for recycling of wastes that can be applied to the manufacturing industries.

In today’s world, digital technology and engineering innovation shape nearly every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate and travel to the way we work and solve critical global challenges. The digital revolution has accelerated our capacity for change and created unprecedented opportunities, especially in fields like sustainable engineering and green technology. For those of us entering the professional sphere now, these advances open doors to careers that are more impactful and versatile than ever, challenging us to adapt, learn continuously, and contribute to a rapidly transforming landscape.

This era of interconnected digital systems and cutting-edge engineering is one of both opportunity and responsibility. On one hand, it equips us with the tools to tackle issues like resource depletion, pollution, and climate change, yet on the other, it demands a deep commitment to sustainability and ethical innovation. The need for thoughtful, sustainable solutions in areas such as materials recovery, clean energy, and recycling is more pressing than ever, and I feel privileged to be entering this field at such a transformative time.

Reflecting on my professional future, I’m aware that choosing the right career path will be a significant decision, blending my interests, skills, and vision for a fulfilling life. As I consider my options, three main paths stand out: pursuing a PhD, working in industry, or launching a start-up.

Each of these paths offers unique challenges and growth opportunities. A PhD would be appealing if my master’s thesis inspires further research, allowing me to delve deeply into sustainable materials recovery and contribute knowledge that drives the field forward. On the other hand, starting a company could be highly rewarding if I find a scalable solution addressing a clear market need within sustainability. The potential to innovate in an entrepreneurial setting is exciting, especially if it leads to meaningful environmental impact.

However, at this point, working in a company seems the most appealing to me. This path would allow me to gain valuable hands-on experience, apply my technical knowledge in practical scenarios, and understand the industry’s broader challenges and nuances. Moreover, working within an established company offers the stability I value, providing a balance between my professional ambitions and my personal life goals. In the long term, I envision building a life in Italy, where I can contribute to the fields of materials recovery and recycling, aligning with my desire to make a positive impact on environmental sustainability.

This vision of my future combines meaningful work in a dynamic field with the stability and lifestyle I seek, making me excited to embark on this journey.

My experience with The Week was truly enlightening. It shifted my perspective on climate action from a distant concern to a personal commitment. Through impactful documentaries and discussions, I became more aware of the climate challenges our planet is facing and recognized the power of individual action in addressing them effectively.

One key insight I gained during The Week is that climate action starts with individuals. Watching the documentaries on climate change revealed how rapidly our planet is changing, which I found quite unsettling. However, when we shared our thoughts and feelings afterward, I recognized that I was not alone in my concerns. Many of us felt overwhelmed, yet we all shared a genuine desire to make a difference. These conversations showed us that, while our efforts may seem small, they can spark a ripple effect that inspires others. This shift in perspective has empowered me to recognize that real change does not just happen on a large scale. It begins with individuals like us who care enough to make small, consistent changes.

As I look to the future, I want to hold onto the sense of purpose I experienced this week. In ten years, I hope to reflect on this moment as a pivotal turning point – when climate action became deeply personal for me. This experience has illuminated the fact that my motivation extends beyond merely mitigating harm to the environment. I am compelled by a broader commitment to sustainability and transformative change. It is about creating a fairer, more resilient world. This personal realization has fortified my determination to act, even if those steps are small.

In conclusion, The Week empowered me with a clear sense of purpose and an inner compass guiding me decisively toward sustainability. This experience has reinforced the idea that while climate change is a significant challenge, change can begin on a small scale with each of us. I feel more equipped to act and, hopefully, to motivate others to join me. The week has taught me that small actions truly matter, that shared conversations can foster hope, and that together, we can create a brighter future.

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”

Christian Lous Lange

My personal future is full of uncertainty. As the video “#MiEmpleoMiFuturo: a documentary about robots, economy, middle class… and the end of the world” points out, I was trained in an outdated educational model, since we spent a lot of time memorizing information that is even outdated. I studied the notions about metals and ceramics with the idea of ​​contributing to those areas in my own country. Currently, primary sector industries such as steel and cement are paralyzed. The government understood that it was cheaper to buy everything prefabricated in China and simply assemble it.

However, I believe that there is something that machines cannot or do not care to do: fight climate change. Machines do not care that the temperature of the planet is rising year after year, or that there is microplastic in food. The curious thing is that even many human beings are not interested in this or are not aware of this fact.

I never studied my career convinced that I would have a good salary, I simply wanted to find out the why of some things. I hope in the future finding the answer to many of these questions will translate into effective solutions against pollution or emissions. Then I might feel too tired to continue and decide to retire to the countryside to have more time for myself.

The future I want is not one where I have beaten the system and everyone talks about me as a person with revolutionary ideas who built a successful company. I simply hope for peaceful days and to live without regretting the decisions I made. The future I want is more influenced by my human relationships than by my professional ambitions. Rather than having to travel constantly for work commitments, I prefer to have time for my family. These are things that I believe a machine cannot take away from me and in which I do not have to compete against anyone else.

Looking to my future as an environmental engineer specialising in the circular economy, the documentary #MyJobMyFuture raises critical questions about the changing labour market and the impact of advanced technologies.

The advent of the fourth industrial revolution, characterised by AI, automation and interconnected devices, is reshaping jobs, presenting both opportunities and obstacles for professionals in various fields.

To my mind, the concept of the circular economy harmonises perfectly with the themes highlighted in the documentary. With automation comes increased demand for specialised, inventive and flexible skills. The circular economy, which encompasses sustainable resource management, waste minimisation and eco-innovation, requires deep critical thinking, strategic foresight and an interdisciplinary approach, qualities that are difficult to replicate with machines.

From my point of view environmental engineers like me occupy a relatively secure position, as these roles require human vision and innovative problem solving.

Furthermore, the film emphasises the importance of social resilience in the midst of polarisation, reflecting the core values of environmental engineering that prioritise social responsibility and the ethical obligation to foster inclusive and sustainable progress.

As engineers, we have a particular duty to advocate for innovations that safeguard ecosystems and cultivate green employment opportunities that are accessible and fair to all.

In short, when I think of my future as an environmental engineer, it is promising, but it requires effort and dedication. By honing skills such as strategic vision, creativity and ethical decision-making, I can position myself to drive sustainable solutions and make a meaningful contribution to the world.

Our education system has traditionally trained us for specialized, repetitive tasks that AI is now able to perform better and faster. In the future, our work will be more focused on creativity, adaptability, problem solving, critical thinking and other skills that AI cannot replace.

In my studies, I am learning these skills especially in materials sustainability and circular economy. These field needs people who can think outside the box and solve complex problems that go beyond what AI alone can do. In addition, I am learning digital skills that will allow me to work with AI as a tool rather than seeing it as a threat.

 I see my career as one where I work with AI, not against it. By focusing on complex challenges in sustainability and using AI as a tool, I am preparing for a role that AI cannot easily take over, ensuring my work remains meaningful and future-proof.