Name: Annette Jensen
Title: Partner in Consulting
Company: PwC Denmark
Please introduce yourself
My name is Annette Jensen, I’m 46 years old and a Manufacturing Engineer. I have sailed from Singapore to Namibia with Mærsk Viking to train 145 crew members in SAP offshore, so I have been ‘baptized by King Neptune’ when we crossed the equator, and am part of the ocean.
This is also a good example of my career path as well. I seize the day and opportunities when they occur.
How did you imagine your career when you were around 20 years old?
I did not have high expectations then. I loved maths as I had the best teacher in my preschool and studying engineering offered a good combination of logistics and maths, so I started when I was 20. I made this choice more out of interest, rather than with a future career in mind.
This is also how I see my career today. My job is my hobby, so I really like what I do, and I still follow my heart and feelings.
What does a day in your life look like in your current role?
It varies a lot. I can be at a client assignment, internal meetings, conferences, career coaching, strategies, working on bids, reporting, coffee meetings etc.
What motivates and excites you the most about your career path and the leadership position you hold?
To work in an organisation with people who have so many good competencies which individually and together can solve all the challenges our clients might have. I also like to see people grow – individually and as a team. I enjoy finding the opportunities and projects, that will ensure people’s development, growth and teamwork.
Share with us the biggest lessons you learned on your journey to where you are today.
Be yourself and follow your stomach feeling. See the opportunities and say yes. Everything is possible with the right team, drive and motivation. If you can dream it – you can do it.
Tell us about a role model who inspired you to become the leader you are today.
Most of my managers have been that inspiration in various ways during the journey. In general, I find inspiration in most people around me and take bits and pieces from each person I meet during my journey. Everybody has something unique which can be learnt from.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, or to students today, what would it be?
Be yourself, trust in yourself and be humble. It is not a sprint – it is a marathon.
How do you see STEM education shaping the future?
There will always be a need for ensuring alignment between systems and processes. With the introduction of AI, there is an even bigger need to analyse and validate data and output, which a STEM education ensures the foundation for.
Why is it important for you to promote diversity and inclusion within STEM?
Different people and cultures see different things. Since we are becoming more and more global, with global corporations having sites all over the world, it is also important to have representatives from all areas and to consider diversity not only internally but also at our clients and projects.