Luxembourg’s small size is an opportunity and a challenge, says Sara Kaiser Photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

Luxembourg’s small size is an opportunity and a challenge, says Sara Kaiser Photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

Luxembourg Tech School programme director Sara Kaiser discusses the opportunities and challenges of working in a small country, and how it’s always possible to change your career.

You’ve worked in finance, then moved to culture--including the Philharmonie--and are now programme director at the Luxembourg Tech School. How did this transition happen?

I’m very curious and always wanted to try and learn something new and apply that professionally. In part it just happened organically, people supporting me along the way, or by coincidence. Switching from culture to technology and education, that was something I aimed for. Technology interested me. I always wanted to do something with innovation. I met the direc-tor of the tech school, and it became clear quite quickly that the school is growing and that they need someone to take care of coordination.

What excites you about your current role at the intersection of tech and education?

In addition to the administrative role, on the content side I find new technologies exciting, with all their advantages and risks, and looking at them in a positive but also critical way. And then conveying that to young people, who are often passive consumers. My goal is to turn them into active creators, and this is where my cultural background comes in, mixing art and music with coding and immersive experiences.

You previously worked in Switzerland and Austria. What do you enjoy about working in Luxembourg?

I like the international context a lot. I work with ministries and organisations in Luxembourg. And at the same time in an international setting. The mix is exciting. It’s open here. You can connect both spheres and make the most of them. You can feel the roots--tradition, language, the people who love this country--plus all the other influences. I see it having a very positive mindset.  

And what challenges have you experienced?

There is a certain limit of options in some areas. When you want to switch careers, there aren’t a thousand different possibilities. You need to bring some patience and search for opportunities. In a bigger city, it’s easier to try something new. If it doesn’t work out, you move on to the next.

The multilingualism, which I like a lot and know from Switzerland, is demanding, especially if you’re not a French native speaker. Some doors simply close. There is more happening now with lifelong learning and adult education. But five, six years ago, when I wanted to switch into technology, there wasn’t much.


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How did you end up in Luxembourg to begin with?

The years prior I was working in Zurich, and I really came for the job at the Philharmonie. I had never been to Luxembourg. I saw this job and thought it was super interesting. I had two options--one in London and one here. London was the cool city but the less interesting job. And here it was the career step up with a fairly big team, responsibility, and a country I didn’t know.

I always went where I thought there’s a new opportunity and challenge. It wasn’t a huge culture shock from Switzerland. A lot is pretty similar. The big difference is this positive European attitude. I think it’s beautiful that it is lived in this way.

Are there any tips you could share for people thinking of taking their career in a new direction?

You need to be strategic about it, but it’s always possible. You need some patience; you must consider whether you can afford it. But you can get into the network pretty quickly, exactly because it’s not that big. You meet the players, you have access, and you have to turn that into an opportunity.