My Career journey so far + tips

Hi there,

I wanted to share a little bit about my career until now.

From student to employee at PwC

After graduating from DePaul University in 2017, Chicago, with a Master´s degree in Information Systems, I started as a Bid Manager at PwC in Stockholm. Here I learnt everything about the tendering process within the public sector and a lot more.

Not quite right and new opportunities

Quite soon after I started at PwC I realised I wanted to change... I wanted to work with Project Management within Business Development and IT, and my current role was, as mentioned above, focusing on the tendering process within the public sector.

I started to look around for new options, both internally at PwC but also externally. I got in touch with a person at PwC who seemed having a very big network, this was indeed true and the colleague connected me with the right person. I was offered a new role at PwC that seemed exactly what I wanted to do. In parallel to this, I had got contacted by a recruiter from H&M who wanted me to apply for their IT Trainee Program, which I did (the IT Trainee program at H&M is is the most popular trainee program in Sweden so I did not expect getting an offer, even though it was a dream of mine). I ended up going through the entire recruitment process which took weeks, and ended up getting an offer from H&M as well.

When I got the offer from H&M I decided to leave PwC already after one year. It felt like the right choice and I am very happy with my decision. What I want to highlight though is that, even though the role at PwC was not what I expected, I learnt SO much and I am forever grateful for the year I got at PwC.

Even though my first role was not within an area where I wanted to continue work, I learnt SO much and I am forever grateful for that year. 

H&M - IT Trainee

From August 2018 - July 2019 I did the IT Trainee program. During this year I got introduced to H&M as a whole. I worked in 6 different departments (6 weeks in each), worked a week in a store and also in the warehouse. This year was truly amazing and I learnt so much about the company and about myself.

H&M - IT Project Manager

After the trainee program I was offered the role as the IT Project Manager for the expansion of H&M´s global loyalty program. This felt like a huge step from being a trainee, but if there is someone who is up for a challenge - it is me!

what does not challenge you won´t change you.

When writing this, I have been having this role for about 8 months and I can guarantee it has been a great challenge and a roller coaster at times! However, I live by "what does not challenge you won´t change you" and I am certain this role has been giving me more than I could dream of.

So far, I have successfully been in the lead of on boarding Mexico and Hungary to H&M´s loyalty program which feels amazing. I thrive to be challenged and this role has been has not been disappointing so to say!

My key learning so far

Many tell me I have came very far in a short amount of time, which I believe is true. My key tips and learnings I want to share with you are...

• Be brave and trust your instincts.
• Ask for help and guidance, people thrive to help and it creates a culture of communication and collaboration. Indeed, it makes work so much more fun and efficient.
• Be open minded and curious.
• Think TEAM over ME. Being successful at work is a TEAM effort!
• Network and talk to people, having a wide network and know many people within your organisation is always a good idea. You never know when it may benefit you.
• Listen to your body and take care of yourself. Work is a big part of life but it is not everything. Remember to keep doing things you love and prioritise yourself! Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.

Your career is a marathon, not a sprint!

xx

Sofie