Joe graduated from Global Business Engineering in 2024 and specialised in software technology. For him, choosing the right study programme was about more than gaining a qualification. It was about developing skills that would open doors.
“I chose Global Business Engineering because it offered a unique blend of engineering and business,” he explains. “Being able to ‘speak’ both languages has turned out to be incredibly valuable.”
This combination has allowed Joe to move seamlessly between technical and commercial perspectives – a skill that is increasingly in demand in modern organisations.
“It means I can work across departments and communicate efficiently with very different kinds of stakeholders. That’s something I use every day in my job.”
Learning that reflects real life
Studying in Denmark offered Joe a different approach to education than he had previously experienced. At VIA, learning was not confined to lectures and textbooks.
“The semester project model, built around real-life scenarios, gave me a kind of learning that’s hard to get otherwise,” he says. “It really bridged the gap between theory and practical application.”
Working on projects that mirrored real industry challenges helped Joe build both technical expertise and collaboration skills.
“It felt immediately useful – and it still does in my day-to-day work.”
From student job to leadership role
Joe’s career path began even before graduation. While studying, he joined the Danish engineering company EIVA, delivering software and equipment for the maritime industry, as a student worker in the Sales department. This was the first step into a professional network and workplace that would shape his future.
“I later moved into the Software department as a Project Manager during my internship,” he explains. “That transition was a turning point.”
After graduating in January 2024, Joe continued at EIVA as a Software Project Manager. As the company evolved, so did his role.
“When the company shifted its focus from projects to products, my role developed with it. I moved into team management, which felt like a natural next step.”
Today, Joe works as a Team Manager in subsea autonomy, leading a team of six. His role combines people leadership, technical strategy and oversight of the full software development lifecycle. “It’s a very dynamic role that builds on both the engineering and business sides of my education.”
A work culture that supports life beyond work
For Joe, building a career in Denmark has not only been about professional growth – it has also been about finding balance.
“Working in Denmark has been great. The work culture and work-life balance are very much aligned with my values,” he says. “Compared to the U.S., it has created a much healthier balance for me and my family.”
This balance is something he has come to appreciate even more over time, particularly as his life in Denmark has become more rooted.
“The plan is to stay here for the long haul,” he says. “It feels like home now.”