Following an exchange stay at Aarhus University during her bachelor’s studies, Alexis Blakey from the United States, decided to uproot herself and move to Denmark for her graduate degree at Aarhus BSS.

For Alexis, kicking in that first door to the job market was difficult. But she was persistent and made no plan B. Networking ended up making all the difference for her.

Studies at Aarhus BSS and Denmark

Why did you come to Denmark to study?

I knew Aarhus from an exchange semester during my studies for my bachelor’s degree. It was supposed to be a classic exchange experience where you return to your previous life at home, but I absolutely loved it in Aarhus! I knew I couldn’t go back to my old American life. So, I went back to the US and finished some courses for my degree in Journalism and Sociology but was still set on returning to Denmark.

I decided to invest all I had in a future in Denmark and enrolled at Aarhus BSS.

How did you experience your time at Aarhus BSS?

I’m so grateful to have had the chance to experience two different learning styles. I was almost shocked that students at Aarhus BSS are active participants in their education. Where I am from, the professor is the ultimate source of knowledge and you do not challenge the professor. But here, our questions are important and welcomed.

I also really liked that despite Danish being the official language, the classes were taught in English. It meant that I could still be in the same classes as Danes, yet be able to immerse myself in the actual exchange experience as well. But it is hard to make Danish friends, so I actively pushed myself to make connections outside of the international community. It was a challenge to create my Danish network, and I feel like it is my ‘badge of honor’.

How did you prepare for your career during your studies?

I did different things to prepare for a career here. I had a student job as a voiceover where I could make use of being a native English-speaker. I also earned valuable experience as an intern at a consultancy agency. It was my way of testing out something new, and it helped me start to form an idea of my ideal style of working.

I took part in Company Dating every semester. I had a career advisor look over my resume and talked to them before I sent my applications – just to ensure that my application would not stand out negatively.

I also completed all the Danish courses. I knew that it was good to know Danish if I was going to stay, and it would give me an edge if I could sit in on a meeting that was conducted in Danish or simply  small talk in Danish.

Career and first job

How did you get your first job after graduating from Aarhus BSS?

It was surprisingly hard to kick in that first door! Landing my first job was difficult, but I knew I had to give it my all and keep pushing. I did not have an option B if I failed. I used my network a lot, and e.g., reached out to previous internship connections to ask for a coffee date and learn about their career journeys.

I was unemployed for 9 months and landed my first job through a backdoor opportunity; I applied for a job that I did not get, but the person hiring recommended me to someone else. My first job was at a small tech start-up. Working in a start-up was a good first job since I learned a lot of new skills. It also helped me build my credentials so that it was easier to apply to the bigger companies afterwards. I realized that being a native English speaker was my advantage over Danes when applying for English-speaking jobs in the communications field.

It was surprisingly hard to kick in that first door! Landing my first job was difficult, but I knew I had to give it my all and keep pushing. I did not have an option B if I failed.

What surprised you the most, working full-time in Denmark?

The work-life balance still continues to surprise me. It was also one of the major things that brought me back to Denmark. I like the idea that I work 9-5 and that I am not expected to answer emails at midnight. Also, having a co-worker showing the consideration to tell me to go home and rest has felt good, but unusual, to me.

There is a degree of freedom in how I perform my tasks here in Denmark. I can ask into things and structure my tasks myself.

Being an international in Denmark

What do you hope your future will bring?

I hope to stay in Denmark. It is a big effort to start from scratch in a new country. I am an introvert and I like my comfort zone, so it was a challenge to establish a Danish network. Moving abroad is not as easy as staying in your home country; you have to make a conscious effort for everything – but it has been worth it!

Tips and advice to international graduates?

I heard it time and again: Network. But it was true! Network was what got me my first job; it only took me knowing one single person who referred me to someone else – they did not even know me but chose to meet me for an interview anyways.