Kyle Jones is halfway through his IAQ scholarship and we caught up with him recently for his insights into IAQ membership and his career development this year as an IAQ scholar.
What has it been like attending IAQ events this year so far?
Thought provoking, coming from an architectural background focused on civic infrastructure, it has been eye opening to engage with and understand less familiar typologies such as energy, transport, and water systems. While these may lack the glamour of stadiums or skyscrapers, they form the essential backbone that makes such buildings possible.
Do you have any standout takeaways from any events?
The IAQ towards the games breakfast was a real highlight for me. As a perk of the scholarship, I had the pleasure of being able to sit at the table with keynote speakers such as CEO of GIICA Simon Crooks, Eugenie Buckley (Deputy director general for Olympic & Paralympic games) as well as IAQ Board members and sponsors. It was great to hear their excitement about the years to come.
Do you have any standout interactions with people at any events?
There have been many. Notably, I have really enjoyed getting to know the IAQ Board and fellow taskforce members, especially gaining insight into how they are using their knowledge and skillsets to give back to the infrastructure industry.
Halfway through your IAQ scholarship, how are you feeling about IAQ and its value to the wider infrastructure industry?
I am simply glad to be a part of it. It feels deeply connected to the growth of Queensland, something that is driven by its members, and as a result, I now also feel that I have a role to play in that progress.
What are you looking forward to for the remainder of the year?
I am really looking forward to the opportunity to sit in on one of the upcoming IAQ board meetings, another perk of the scholarship. I am also excited by the chance to collaborate with my fellow EPIQ members in hosting an IAQ event later in the year… stay tuned.
An Architectural Assistant at Populous, Kyle won the 2026 Future Infrastructure Leader Scholarship and has the opportunity to attend IAQ events and special opportunities like an IAQ Board meeting during the year as scholar. He has also joined the Emerging Professionals in Infrastructure Queensland (EPIQ) Expert Advisory Group that is an IAQ initiative aimed at providing young infrastructure professionals opportunities to network with others at a similar career stage, while learning from leading industry voices.
Applications will open later this year on the IAQ website for the 2027 Future Infrastructure Leader Scholarship and employees of IAQ member organisations with 3-8 years’ experience will be eligible to nominate for the 2027 scholar program.
