Kasper: My experience as a postgraduate at Danfoss

We sat down with Kasper to hear more about his experience as a Danfoss graduate. What started out as a one man business in 1933 has now turned into one of the most successful Danish companies employing more than 26,000 people globally.  Danfoss is currently recruiting their next batch of talents – have a look at the roles here.

 

 

 

Why did you choose to apply for the Graduate Program?

 

I became familiar with the concept of a graduate program during my last student position. The combination of being able to start working and applying yourself, your experience and your education in a full-time capacity – while continuing a steep learning curve really appealed to me. What set the Danfoss Postgraduate Programme apart from the rest was the international aspect and promise of having very different projects in multiple countries.

 

What has been the top 3 things about the program so far?

 

It is hard to rank the top 3 as the programme as a whole really is made greater than the sum of its individual parts. But stand-out things for me has without a doubt been:

 

• Experience. You get to work on 4 business-critical projects during the program. With this you can get to see Danfoss from multiple business units, segments and functions giving you a very unique insight into the business. I figure I will have multiple years’ worth of experience when the program is over.

 

• Personal development. Not unrelated to experience; the personal- and professional growth you will experience happens at such a rapid pace. I’m one year in the program now and sometimes you can’t believe that time can go by this fast and you can grow this quickly. It was important for me to continue learning – but in a professional environment. The combination of project-based work, the rotational nature of the program and international experience really gives you an unparalleled opportunity to develop your skills and learn new ones, professional and interpersonal alike. 

 

 

 

• Global mindset. The world becomes simultaneously very big and very small at the same time. Since starting in the Danfoss Postgraduate program I’ve had projects in Denmark, Dubai, Scotland and will be moving on to Italy in spring for my next one, all while travelling to and visiting many more during the program. You learn to navigate different cultures, work environments – get to learn and take away the best parts of the different ways of working. It also makes you very skilled at quickly adapting to new projects and how to work with changing circumstances. I feel very confident in that I could work anywhere and very quickly get into new projects and start contributing fast. It’s a very particular skillset, but very valuable – specially for yourself. 

 

 

What has been the biggest challenge during the programme?

 

You will learn how little time 6 months really is. The projects last 6 months and they are all very different. You won’t find two Danfoss graduates who’ve had similar journeys in the program. But one thing they do have in common is that most are important projects – sometimes working on strategy and plans that will stretch beyond the 6 months or become a permanent fixture in the Danfoss business. I have at times felt like I would love to stay on my current project because I’m working with great people and would like to continue the work I am doing. Luckily it doesn’t last too long as the excitement and opportunities of the next project waits just around the corner. 

 

What’s the most important thing to succeed in the program?

 

Attitude. You can not possibly know everything you need to or how to do it all – but you can have the right mindset. A can-do attitude and eagerness to learn, ask questions and do your best to leave a positive impact with your projects will get you very far. It took me a while, but I realized recently that often times; your project managers are not looking for someone who has been in Danfoss forever and solves challenges the way Danfoss always has. They are looking for new perspectives, new skillsets and original ideas which you as a recent graduate are well-suited to provide. The willingness to challenge existing structures and ways of doing things are welcomed and actually encouraged. In the program we are sometimes referred to as Change Agents. We’re here to bring change and improve the way we do things. If you can keep these things in mind you will move far and fast, I believe. 

 

Any advice for new applications?

 

Showcase your passion or skills that tells who you are and what you want to do. Tell them of your projects you did next to school, the challenges you undertook in your spare time, student position or voluntarily. Instead of just saying that you work with this or that – show them. I think any way you can demonstrate drive, initiative and experience within your field of study or professional interest says many times more than just saying so. To be frank, everybody is going to have some type of relevant education – so you need to show what sets you apart and makes you unique.