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Dear graduating class 2020,

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I'm Mai-Britt Poulsen, Managing Director and Senior Partner

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based in Copenhagen.

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A big congratulations with a huge milestone in your life

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and a big step to begin your career.

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In this unusual and difficult time,

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a new reality has begun.

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I want to share my career advice

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based on my personal learnings over the past 16 years

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since I graduated in 2004.

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My advice is to follow your passion.

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It's the best and most effective fuel

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on your career journey.

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Never stop learning.

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In today's world, I expect jobs will change

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driven by technology,

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and we will need to be adaptive and change as well.

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In fact, when I look back at my past 16 years in BCG,

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I have learnt more every year

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than an average year in university.

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And I believe you will experience the same.

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Learning is so important to keep advancing.

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If you can, try different roles, different jobs,

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try different functional focus areas

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in the first chapter of your career,

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which is at least the first five years of your career.

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Do that to figure out what you're really good at,

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and what you're really passionate about.

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Also remember to be curious.

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It will take you new places and bring you new opportunities

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that you've never thought about.

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Don't be afraid of making mistakes.

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Rather learn from your mistakes.

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I made a lot mistakes,

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and I will continue to do so.

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But I believe you advance the most

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when you are outside of your comfort zone.

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Invest in personal relationships

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with your peers and colleagues.

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Relationships are fundamental to deliver results.

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In fact, I found out quite late in my career,

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that having the best idea, having the best analysis

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will not bring you far

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if you don't have the trust in the organization

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to convince people to implement your ideas

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and that is what drives results.

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And finally, the best career advice I probably ever got

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was to find a life partner who supports your passion.

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I wish you all the best of luck

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in finding your first full time job.

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And even though, it might feel difficult right now

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because of the current situation and the high uncertainty

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in the labor market,

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I'm sure we will soon enter a much brighter time.

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Good luck to all of you.