I studied for an accounting degree, because I love maths and numbers, but it turned out that they’re not the same thing. In the third year, I chose a module called social accounting, which explains the social sustainability side of businesses, how it’s accounted for and how it should be transparent. This means you can prove the positive impact you’re having and report on it.

When I did the module, one of the main debates was whether it should be made a legal requirement for businesses to report on sustainability. A majority of the class said “no” and I was on my own in saying “yes”. Actually being in industry just three or four years later, and realising that the tide has turned, has surprised me.

I really enjoyed the module, and I knew that I wanted my career path to go into CSR so I decided to do a master’s in social sustainability. After that, I wanted to go into an industry where I could make a really big impact and the built environment is one where I knew I could make a real difference, from an environmental point of view. Getting my job at Kier led on perfectly from my master’s degree.

Sustainability is a topic that is increasingly talked about. At Kier, people understand it. We’re now past social sustainability just being the right thing to do. My manager recently explained it to me with a good analogy. She said that social sustainability and social value is like a side salad on the table: people like to pick at it, but you put it there because it makes you feel good that you've got a salad on the table. However, now it's the main dish. It's not just the right thing to do, we have a responsibility to leave a positive legacy.

As a social sustainability graduate, I’m fortunate that I work with people who know the importance of social value. It means when I approach them with ideas they will just say "yeah, absolutely, let's do it". This gives me the ability to really impact the communities we work with and I love that our senior leaders give us the full backing to do this.

I’m enjoying my role helping to make a difference within the highways industry, and I’m excited for what the future holds. But I now know that university isn’t the only option to start a career. Had I known about degree apprenticeships back then, I would have seriously considered doing one. You get to work, earn and learn. University is a great pathway and I enjoyed my time, but there are so many other options out there.

Kerry Collins was in conversation with Craig Thomas.

Words by Kerry Collins, Social Sustainability Graduate, Kier Highways

CIHT’s Emerging Professionals Conference is back in-person for 2023! Designed to inform and inspire, the event on April 26 is attracting the brightest and most enthusiastic emerging professionals from across the highways and transportation and counts towards your CPD.