Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. Technological advancement in the field progresses rapidly, and so have to the professionals working in the sector. Prices for heat and electricity, renovation, use of renewable energy resources – these are only a few areas of great interest, but there are too few professionals to work with it. “It is obvious that the job market needs more professionals working with energetics of buildings. We see that most of the third year students get a job related to the area of their studies after their internships,” says Tomas Kropas, graduate from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, as he shares his insights about the prospects and guaranteed job offers in the field of energetics of buildings.

You have completed bachelor programme in energetics of buildings and master programme in building energy engineering at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, and you have decided to continue your studies on PhD level. Please share with us, what made you choose this area of studies.
 
I was one of those persons who did not know exactly what to study. I was sure that I do not want to become neither a lawyer, nor an economist; thus, I have chosen studies in engineering. Renewable energy caught my eye when I was reading programmes’ descriptions. Other courses in the programme on energetics of buildings also seemed interesting. The area was gaining momentum at that time and it is still on the rise. Messages in the media about the lack of engineers was another aspect which contributed to my choice of an area of studies.

Please tell us about your professional career and what was your first job in the area of your studies.

I was invited to work at VGTU’s Department of Building Energetics when I was in my second year of studies. It was my first job in the area of my studies. Then, I received an offer to work for the company where I carried out my internship during my third year of studies. My task there was to design systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning of buildings. I can say that in this job I was using all theoretical knowledge gained during my studies. I wanted to keep both jobs – at the university and the company – and I had to juggle between the two.  

Energetics of buildings is a wide and flexible profession. If one has a sound theoretical background, they can work in various fields: gas pipelines, heating systems, design of engineering systems of buildings, sales, consulting and other fields. It is obvious that the job market needs more professionals working with energetics of buildings. We see that most of the third year students get a job related to the area of their studies after their internships.

You might think that energetics of buildings is a very specific and narrow field, but it covers other areas as well. Courses of the study programme analyse various processes. We learned about the internal engineering systems of buildings, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, but we also had courses on gas pipelines, heat supply, or manufacturing. We learned not only about what’s inside buildings, but also about whole infrastructure. In addition, there was a lot of attention for studying resources of renewable energy and related technologies. Personally, I am very interested in the fields of renewable energy and its resources. It’s a hot topic at the moment and the interest is only going to rise. Professionals of other fields will have to learn more about it soon.    

What are your career goals for the future?

I would like to focus on continuous learning, development and self-actualisation. I see myself in research and science in the future, and I want to work both at the university and in business. Working in business gives invaluable experience and understanding how everything works in reality, and I one can use it in their work with students. Theoretical lectures enriched with examples from business are very valuable to students. I also see myself teaching. To be honest, I like scientific activities, but also I like to work with students – it’s never boring or the same. 

What do you remember the most from your studies at the university?

I liked a lot that we had our exploratory internships during the first year of studies, it gave us more insight on the profession. We visited various buildings, looked at internal engineering systems, analysed what do professionals in our field of studies do and how they do it. Usually, the first year of studies at the university is dedicated to general and foundation courses, and these visits enabled us to picture ourselves in our future careers. During our second year of studies we had an internship on energy efficiency of buildings, and we analysed more specific fields. Profession-related internships followed after the third year of studies and, as I have mentioned earlier, most of my fellow students have found a job after it. 

What made an impact on your personality during your studies? 

There were many things. I try to use as many opportunities as possible. Participation in the activities of Student Association was among the first things. I was elected to be the chairman of the Student Representation of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering during my first year of studies. I have encountered various challenges, which made me stronger mentally and emotionally, and I had opportunity to grow as a person. 

Later, I was invited to work at the department because of my activities at the Student Representation. I was active in the university’s community and communicated a lot of lecturers. My attitude towards studies changed when I have started working for the department. You work with people who are also your lecturers. Naturally, you don’t want to let them down. The sense of responsibility made me strive for better study results. VGTU’s folk dance ensemble “Vingis” also had a strong influence on my personality. I joined the ensemble during my first year of studies. Also there were other things which influenced my personality. I am happy that the university gave me many opportunities to grow and helped me to become what I am now.    

What prospects do young people have after graduating from this programme? Do you see energetics of buildings as profession of the future?

No doubt it is one of the professions of the future. Graduates from this programme can work in the fields of heat production, heat supply, gas pipelines, design of internal engineering systems, management or sales. 

I think there are also great career prospects in research in this field. There are plans to carry out more research on renewable energy and new technologies. We have to meet the standards and requirements of the European Union and to produce more energy from renewable resources to be used in transport, heating sectors and energetics of buildings. There is constant advancement of technologies, especially in the area of renewable sources of energy, and the demand for these sources is only going to increase. The need for professionals who understand, are able to design, create, install and maintain such technologies is also going to rise. Professionals of the energetics of buildings will be among the most desired ones as sustainability and maximum energy efficiency of buildings become very relevant.

You seem to have discovered your passion in life and you are on the right track of achieving your goals. What would be your advice to students?

I wish students are more aware that people working at the university are here to help them, not to fail them. Also I would recommend taking studies seriously. Student life is charming and full of exciting things, but, I believe, this should not precede studies and studying, because it is a very valuable investment. Also I wish a little bit more responsibility and positivity towards lecturers. I look at lecturers with respect and authority, similar to school or nursery teachers. These are the people who shape our society and our personalities. This should be prestigious professions. Teachers are the people who help the young to create Lithuania of the future. If young people believe it, then they have the power to influence the attitude of authorities as well.