Keep yourself, and bring your full self to work

Several times every year, DTU celebrates all new engineers at Graduation Ceremonies and always invite an alum to come and talk and inspire the new graduates. This is to both provide insights into how a career can shape and give a few good tips to get a good start.

In November 2024, three alumni spoke to the new Bachelors of Engineering and Masters of Science in Engineering. Here is their advice as well as photos from the Graduation Ceremonies:

Andrew Prasana Rajendram – BSc of Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (2008) – Self-employed

Advice from Andrew:

• Defeats are gifts in disguise – they are the ones that force you to grow. My defeats have shaped my career more than my successes.
• Get back on the horse quickly, life is not about avoiding mistakes, but about learning from them and rising stronger.
• Be a hunter, not a dreamer – actively pursue your goals and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Photos from the Graduation Ceremony for Bachelors of Engineering on 12 November 2024

Gro Bertelsen – MSc, Design and Innovation (2012) – Senior Integration Program Manager, Novonesis

Advice from Gro:

• On a workplace, you may need to adjust a bit to fit in and become a slightly new version of yourself - but keep yourself, and bring your full self to work. Be inspired by others but make it your own style. It’s important not just for what you wear but also how you are as a person.
• Instead of long-term career planning, listen to your gut feeling: Is this a company where I feel at home? Is the manager someone I want to work with and can learn from, and is the work meaningful to me as a person? Also, be curious as to what is behind the job titles: Maybe your dream job is hiding behind a job title you didn’t even know existed.
• Your life is more than work. Make sure to keep your family and friends a priority, and keep your connections from DTU. Remember that the world spins without you – you can take a pause when needed.

Photos from the Graduation Ceremony for Master of Science in Engineering on 13 November 2024

Jon Østerby Carlsen – MSc, Computer Science and Engineering (2010) – Director of Engineering (Europe), AXON Networks

Advice from Jon:

• Never forget the power of learning: Embrace it. Use it as your foundation, and remember that in a world of change, the ability to learn will always keep you relevant.
• Trial and error is valuable: Fail fast, shorten the feedback loop, and you will learn faster.
• Garden your network: Invest in and nurture your network; it will be one of your most valuable resources.

Photos from the Graduation Ceremony for Master of Science in Engineering on 14 November 2024

Congratulations to all new graduates!