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How My Copenhagen MBA Landed Me A Top Job In Denmark

Fu Chen swapped high-stress roles in China for the happiest country in the world

Wed Jun 22 2016

BusinessBecause
“Without the Copenhagen MBA, I wouldn’t even have passed the resume screening!” says Fu Chen, who landed a job at Danish biotech firm Chr. Hansen a month before graduation.

Copenhagen Business School’s MBA program opens doors to careers in Denmark. And over 90% of MBA participants tend to come from outside Denmark to profit from the school’s close links with local industry.

Fu Chen, a trained engineer from China, was introduced to Chr. Hansen during his MBA. The firm is one of the school’s many corporate partners - recently hosting an MBA case competition for current MBA students – and Fu Chen had the invaluable opportunity to study its business model and network with its senior execs.

Now, he works in a specialized position at Chr. Hansen - serving as a pivotal link between the management of sales and finance - and is among the 60% of 2015 Copenhagen MBA graduates to find roles in Denmark.

Fu Chen is enchanted by life in Denmark; its work-life balance and sustainable way of doing business. He’s swapped a high-stress business environment in China for what the World Happiness Report ranks as the happiest country in the world. And he recommends that his fellow countrymen do the same.

How did your MBA help you land a job at Chr. Hansen?

The careers service helped me to adapt resume and cover letter to fit the Danish job market. And I got some insight from MBA alumni who helped me on how to pitch my experience in the interview.

Before my MBA, it would have been very difficult to convince a potential employer that my years in sales would be a good fit for a career in finance; totally the other side of the coin.

But after this one year, my identity changed to a graduate from a top MBA program at a top business school, and my previous experience became a differentiating factor in the job market.

How else have you profited from your MBA experience?

[The MBA] enabled me to know myself and the world better, and therefore to be a better leader.

We had a very dynamic class with all sort of backgrounds. And the interaction within and beyond the class brought a great deal of value to me.

Plus, my job requires a high level of comprehensive business, finance and analytical competence, a big part of which I got from the MBA.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at Copenhagen Business School?

I felt that I was missing a systematic business education and a commercial toolbox. And an MBA is the perfect way to get that.

The Copenhagen MBA is a great place to learn about the Nordic business mindset; a fascinating combination of developing business, taking care of people, and improving the environment.

How have you adapted to life in Denmark?

I’m really enjoying it. Compared to the big cities in China, life here is much more relaxed. And it’s relatively easy for foreigners, as most people can speak fluent English.

Copenhagen is also one of the best places to live. There are plenty of opportunities and there’s a real focus on work-life balance. That really explains why, despite the long winter, Danish people are among the happiest people in the world!

What advice do you have for Chinese students considering an MBA in Europe?

Europe’s one year programs are a big advantage. For people aged around 30 with some work experience and looking for a career change, they’re perfect.

With China playing a more and more important role in the global economy, the need for talent with a Chinese background is rising. But nothing is for granted, and you still need to study and work hard to get a job.

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