Spotlight on Yiming Qi, Environmental Design and Engineering MSc graduate

What is your background?

Before attending the MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering in the UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, I attended the University of Nottingham, where I did a similar but more fundamental programme for my undergraduate in Architectural Environment Engineering. This is a course focussed on the built environment and building service engineering and it gave me the skills, knowledge and abilities to directly reduce and minimise the carbon footprint of the built environment. I also learnt how to design functional and sustainable buildings during this course. At the same time, I did several industry placements and research programmes during holidays, in fields ranging from the real estate industry to house retrofitting. Both internship and programme experiences allowed me to determine which field I should engage in for my long-term career. I decided to work in environmental engineering and sustainability

What have you been doing since graduating from the MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering?

After I submitted my dissertation for the MSc, I published a paper based on my final research project and presented it at the 2022 People and Buildings Masters Students Conference in London, coordinated by the Network for Comfort & Energy Use in Buildings (the paper was entitled, 'An experimental investigation of how human activities affect the behaviour of indoor airborne particles').

After this I decided to take a rest but keep learning, so I enrolled myself in some sustainability-related courses, such as climate change and green energy and finance, which allowed me to deepen my impression and awareness of what I had learnt in the MSc course and to apply this knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary way, e.g. through the calculation of the carbon footprint of a building, or determining the appropriate applications of renewable energy.

How has your MSc helped you with your new career? Do you feel it made your CV more competitive, have you been applying skills you learnt in the degree in your new job etc?

Both my soft and technical skills were developed during my time at the Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering. My cooperation and collaboration skills were improved through group work projects, and it taught me how to perform equally well in different roles or groups, be it as team member, or team leader. My technical skills such as modelling and building simulation (using IES VE and Energyplus), have also been greatly  improved, which allows me to be more competitive when hunting for work opportunities in this area. Lastly, with the Bartlett being a well-known school, being a graduate of it gives me an outstanding educational background that distinguishes my CV from the crowd.

Do you have any advice for future MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering graduates, for example, advice on getting the most out of the degree, on job hunting experience etc.?

I would suggest that you make sure to use the resource of UCL Careers as much as possible. The UCL Careers team will help you develop the future pathway that suits you, whether you choose to study or work. When you are actively seeking a job as a graduate, the team will support you by guiding your way throughout the entire application process, e.g. optimising your resume or improving your interview skills. At the same time I’d say don’t forget to try and find the right work-life balance for you. Enjoy the university life, like social events held by your department, or student clubs that interest you. I attended several social events held by the MSc course directors and it was amazing to get to know my classmates and peers - it gave me an opportunity to make friends and new connections.

Links

• To learn about Yiming's paper presented at the People and Buildings conference, go here.
• To learn more about the work of the Network for Comfort & Energy Use in Buildings, go here.
• To learn more about how UCL Careers can help you, go here.

Image credit: Yiming Qi