In Denmark, you have great opportunities to be financially independent as a student worker. Vihren Petrov
My job
As a systems engineer at Systematic, I have plenty of responsibilities besides writing code. Although software development takes up most of my time, there are plenty of other tasks to take care of – from setting up test environments, to resolving pressing issues, to supporting customers that need help with the product.
No two workdays are the same, and with my talented colleagues we make a close-knit team, working together to face new challenges and always striving to make a difference.
My advice
Study the language. Seriously. Even though English always works, in my four years of being here, knowing the language has opened so many doors for me, and people perceive you very differently when you show them you're making an effort by studying Danish. Even though it can be quite challenging in the beginning, it is absolutely worth the struggle, especially if you plan to stay here after your graduation.
All programmes at VIA have an internship as a part of the degree, which is an incredible opportunity to gain experience at the workplace and put knowledge into practice. Vihren Petrov
How did you get the job you have today?
IT graduates are very sought after, and the large companies are in constant competition to hire the top candidates. In my case, I was referred to by a classmate, who encouraged me to check the available openings at Systematic. He had done his internship there and following that, continued as a student developer.
Another great selling point for VIA - all programmes have an internship as a part of the degree, which is an incredible opportunity to gain experience at the workplace and put knowledge into practice.
Why did you chose to study in Denmark?
I knew very little about Denmark before it was time to apply for universities. Luckily, a friend of mine studying mechanical engineering shared his impressions about life here, and I was immediately sold. Free education, a free healthcare system and great opportunities to be financially independent as a working student – those are some of the benefits that are hard to get anywhere else.
Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to meet internationals, as well as lots of events and activities to choose from, catering for all kinds of interests. But perhaps the biggest reason for my coming here was VIA’s focus on group work and hands-on activities. Pairing up to solve problems from the very beginning taught me a lot about teamwork and effective communication, skills I find an absolute must-have, and that I continue to apply in my everyday life.
My ambitions
I look forward to a future where people are individually more self-aware and collectively more interdependent. I make conscious efforts to create an environment and conditions that promote such kind of growth.