Intro to Selen
I have a master’s degree in Mathematical Modelling and Computation from DTU and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. I sit in Technology Advisory/Business Analytics. I have research experience in dynamic programming and optimization where I built mathematical models on various programming languages. I also did internships in different sectors such as finance, advisory and audit.
How did you end up at the Graduate Program / when and where did you first hear about it?
I heard about the KPMG Graduate Programme at DTU Career week in the last semester of my master’s studies.
➔ Hiring! KPMG is hiring graduates right now. Click here for more details on the programme.
What attracted you to KPMG?
I believe being a consultant is the fastest way to get insights into the industry. I wanted to learn more about the Danish market. That is why I wanted to start my career in one of the leading companies in consultancy. I also wanted to get some business insights in addition to my technical background and to challenge myself in terms of developing soft skills by being a consultant.
Why did you want to join a graduate program?
I think the Graduate Programme is an excellent transition from academic life to professional life where I have plenty of opportunities to gain and improve skills with a high tolerance for failure. Moreover, getting a chance to start my career with a large network consisting of people with similar mindsets and different backgrounds appealed to me.
What has surprised you the most about working at KPMG?
I am very surprised to see that the team I work with is super flexible and has a very good work-life balance while delivering high quality to the customer. I can see that each team member is aware of the other’s competences and limitations. This leads to a very good teamwork environment built on trust.
I believe my superpower is “instant learning”. I can gather any kind of information and fully understand it in a very short amount of time
What is your “superpower”?
I believe my superpower is “instant learning”. I can gather any kind of information and fully understand it in a very short amount of time. I’ve always enjoyed to study and learn by myself by doing lots of reading. If I find something interesting, I love doing research on it and deep dive in it. If there is a task that requires a new skill, I am the person to go for.
Biggest challenge as a graduate so far?
Since I have a very technical background, I was mostly performing analysis on a clearly defined task or project during my studies. However, the hardest part of consultancy in my opinion is to understand client needs. Most of the time, the clients do not have a clear problem or need and the way they explain their problems or needs is open to interpretation. They want to be convinced and want to trust the consultants they work with. So, one of my biggest challenges was to adopt to the business environment which requires a lot of relationship management, presentation skills and other soft skills.
Advice to other applicants?
Company and team culture are the most important things. The applicants should try to assess if the company is a good fit to their cultural background and moral values. They should be aware that the time they spend at work will be a very big part of their life. So, being able to have fun with the team is quite important for the quality of the job they deliver and also for their mental health. Moreover, being satisfied with their responsibilities at work is crucial. Some people like having a routine while others seek change. Some people enjoy doing presentations while others like being in the back end. So, finding out what makes you happy is important to have a healthy work life.
➔ Hiring! KPMG is hiring graduates right now. Click here for more details on the programme.
