Robert Connell

My time at University 

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My interest in sustainability and climate change was sparked at the end of my undergraduate degree in International Business and Languages at a different university. I found myself disenchanted with the prospect of entering a company's workforce that is solely profit-driven and absent of purpose. As such, I decided to involve myself in purpose-driven enterprises and soon discovered the fascinating and intimidating reality of climate change. I then noticed that the university I studied had no society for others like me who were concerned and wanted to take action on climate change. So I brought some of my friends together, 8 of us, and founded the Sustainability Society. At first, it started slowly; we were clueless about what meaningful action meant. We began with litter picking and awareness drives, but as we progressed, more and more people approached us, expressing similar interest and concerns in climate change. By the end of my final year, we had 80 members, and I was convinced that I had found the purpose-driven career path I was initially looking to pursue.

I applied to the University of Edinburgh because I loved the city and the ECCI. The subjects of the courses, the projects, and the opportunity to hear from industry experts were mesmerising. I soon was offered a chance to meet and speak with Simon Shackley, who was then the course coordinator at the time. His open and kind manner and informative conversation had gone a long way to convince me that this was an academic community where I could feel welcomed and where I could excel towards a purpose-driven career. I am fortunate to have had my sentiments appreciated, accepted, and offered to study in the 2019-2020 MSc Carbon Management programme. An offer that I was delighted to receive.

Though there were many, one particular highlight of studying Carbon Management was the opportunity to listen to, meet, and have a conversation with the Minister-President of the Galapagos Islands, Norman Wray, during a visit to the ECCI. His presentation of the context, vulnerabilities and ambitions of the climate action taken on the Galapagos Islands brought home the global nature of this issue. The opportunity to then speak to him personally and to ask him about the work he does on the other side of the globe was unique and galvanising.

My experiences since leaving University

Graduating with my MSc Carbon Management degree amid total lockdown in the UK and across most of Europe was challenging. There was significant economic uncertainty at the time, and employers were busying themselves with consolidation and home-office transition. Although career options were few and competitive, this allowed me to explore a field that I had never imagined working in: education. 

During the pandemic, I returned home to my family, enduring a 30-hour bus ride from Edinburgh to Prague and eventually further on to Budapest. After arriving, I imagined myself remaining with my parents for a few weeks or months at most before moving on to a job involved in climate action. However, I crossed paths with a recruitment advertisement seeking an Assistant Teacher at an international school in Budapest. I was fortunate to be offered the job and have since remained in Budapest. This has been a blessing.

 I have had the opportunity to gain consulting experience by working with the school to reduce its carbon emissions, furthering sustainability, and offering climate knowledge to young learners. 

On the side, I have published a book chapter on diversifying the private sector in local climate action, and I continue to work with a Scottish social enterprise that aids SMEs in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. I am immensely proud of all this and recognise that it would not have occurred without the unexpected twists and turns that happened throughout my journey during and beyond my MSc.

While working there full-time, I also work with the school's strategy and leadership team to implement sustainable practices within our facilities and the curriculum (which spans ages three to eighteen). Other than my physical workplace, I volunteer digitally for NetZero Scotland Community. This social enterprise offers software and guidance to SMEs on reducing their emissions to participate in the low-carbon transition. In the run-up to COP26, I have been a part of the NetZero Ninja team, organising events for NetZero Scotland Community. Here I have been invited as a panellist for one of the digital COP events, creating a social media strategy, panel discussion formats and writing invitations for business leaders to engage in our in-person and digital conferences.

Alumni wisdom

Do not be discouraged by uncertainty! It's okay to feel like you are out of your depth; you won't know everything immediately - even after the most well-delivered course - but you will learn. The knowledge you are gaining at university is the platform you can launch into more specific and more profound practical knowledge once you enter a workplace.