Lydia Kairl

MSc Sustainable Building Design, 2020

What made you choose to study Sustainable Building Design at Heriot-Watt?
I have always had an interest in sustainability and grew up with my father building sustainable houses - including our own. So those early experiences on building sites talking about R-values and glazing design just meant it made sense that I would continue to have an interest when I grew up.

Heriot-Watt offered Sustainable Building Design as an online MSc, which was the major reason I chose Heriot-Watt. It meant I could start studying part-time in Australia at a pace that suited me, while still thinking about my future career prospects.

What's your favourite / most memorable memory of your time as a Heriot-Watt student?
I spent a semester on campus living in halls, which was a great experience. I made some lifelong friends both in my course and through living on campus.

Tell us about your career since graduating from Heriot-Watt.
I started studying as an online student with Heriot-Watt while I was working as a traffic and transport engineer in Australia, and I knew that wasn't the career path for me after a few years of working there. My Heriot-Watt degree allowed me to update my knowledge in an area I am passionate about and switch to a job working in carbon assessments in the UK. I've been working in this industry for only a few months, but it is definitely the career path for me, helping other businesses lower the carbon emissions of their businesses and products.

How has your Heriot-Watt University education contributed to your success?
My master's degree is the reason I have my current job, and with my skilled worker visa I can stay in the UK. So, I'd really say my degree is the foundation of it all. My employer was looking for someone with my background in sustainability and, combined with my research project, this gave me a really good basis for starting my career in sustainability.

What advice would you give to your past self when you were a student?
Meet as many people as you can and take as many opportunities as you can to do what you enjoy, whether that is or isn't related to your degree.

What are your aspirations for the future?
In your career:
To continue to work in sustainability and help businesses reduce their carbon emissions footprints in new and innovative ways.
In your society:
Help slow down climate change.

Is there anything else you'd like to add? You can tell us a little about your own background away from work, family, other interests etc.
The whole time I have studied I have also run my small art business (The Curious Cactus) alongside my corporate job. It was a lot to juggle at times, but I think having a creative or artistic outlet during your academic studies is important.