Intro to the graduate
My name is Dominique. I hold a MSc in Innovation and Business Development from Copenhagen Business School. After CBS, I joined PFA’s Graduate Programme in 2022 in the department of Strategic Health, which I have just finished this summer. Since then I have continued in the same role in Strategic Health. In our team we advise companies and organisations on health and well-being at workplaces. My role is to engage in customer projects on health and well-being and develop the solutions we provide on this area.
How did you end up at the PFA Graduate Programme?
I was a student in PFA in the project management team during the last three years of my studies, so I was familiar with the Graduate Programme and the culture and atmosphere in PFA in general. We also had a graduate in my team, so I had a clear idea of what the programme involved and where it could take me on my personal and professional journey.
During my time as a student assistant, I had some touchpoints with Strategic Health, where I got to meet the team. It felt like a great match to me especially because strategic health is purposeful for our customers and for PFA, and the team was very accommodating, yet professional and inspirational, so I applied for the position. Luckily, they also saw the match.
What attracted you to PFA as an employer?
PFA has a strong culture and it’s a good place to explore different roles as it’s a large company with many opportunities. Having a generalist profile there are various options to grow within the company.
Moreover, I find that PFA values a good and healthy work-life which I believe is crucial for a balanced life.
What was the highlight of being a graduate at PFA?
Though the onboarding days were super intense, we received extensive knowledge of PFA’s complex business model which have proven to be valuable in my work.
During the programme, we have different boot camps reflecting on where we are on our journey. We have held bootcamps i.e., in facilitation as well as visual communication and argumentation which are practical tools when I’m meeting or facilitating workshops with customers or doing sales pitches.
In addition, I really appreciate the network I received within the Graduate Programme. I like to engage with both my colleagues in my team and the other graduates in PFA. Even though we come from very different backgrounds, my fellow graduates have become a great part of my everyday life, and we like to do all sorts of things together – whether it being an after-work dinner or a cold dip in Nordhavn, or traveling.
What has surprised you the most about working at PFA?
How complex and broad working with pension and insurance is. Maybe you don’t see yourself working with pension or insurance, but PFA is so much more than that. Health has for example become an important cornerstone in our strategy and being a part of this important agenda really motivates me. It’s such a complex business where many different clever minds get to work together to create the best solutions for our customers.
I’m also surprised by the impact PFA has on the society. Having more than 1.3 million customers, we do have a big voice and influence – both in political discussions, at workplaces, and to each customer who might meet PFA at certain points in their lives.
Having more than 1.3 million customers, we do have a big voice and influence – both in political discussions, at workplaces and to every each of customers who might meet PFA at certain points in their lives.
Biggest challenge as a graduate?
Being a graduate also comes with expectations to take in a cross-organisational. And as mentioned, PFA’s business model is super complex with many business areas and stakeholders. Therefore, it has taken me some time to build up a network across the organisation and to identify the right stakeholders for the right tasks. However, I truly believe the Graduate Programme and the network within the group have helped me a lot on this journey.
Advice to other applicants?
Actively reflect upon how you can contribute to the culture and be open about your values. Also, reflect upon your position in a team and your expectations from a graduate programme.
How do you see your future with PFA?
All of my graduate colleagues and I have continued in regular positions in PFA – and all of us in the departments that we have also been graduates in. So there is a very clear and meaningful career path from Graduate to ‘regular’ colleague in PFA. We continue utilising the graduate network now facilitated by ourselves. Moreover, I still have ongoing dialogues with my manager on continuous development. My work is very meaningful to me, and I truly see the benefits for both the customers, for PFA and for contributing positively to solve one of the challenges we face as a society.
