Alumni profile: Morten Rinder Steengaard
Partner at IDEALIZER ’IB 2007
Morten is an IB graduate from 2007. After graduating from IB, Morten started his own management consulting company, IDEALIZER, specializing in entrepreneurship.
Why IB?
I chose the IB programme, because of two reasons: I wanted to study in an international environment, and I wanted to be part of an ambitious programme made up of great people. In retrospect I think I made the right choice.
How IB prepared me for an international career
In terms of meeting people with different international backgrounds and building your network of international friends and business contacts, the IB programme is second to none in Denmark. The fact that 50% of students are international, while most others have some sort of international background or experiences, is a huge plus. Also, all courses have an international focus, so from the very first lecture you analyse international business cases, building your professional "toolbox".
Most vivid experience from the IB programme
My most vivid memory from IB is probably the social activities! Although most IB students are ambitious, they also like to have a good time, and we sure had. Also, I remember CBS Case Competition in 2007, where for the first time, I think, the team was made up of only IB students. We didn't win, but the four of us learned a lot during the process, and we had a lot of fun doing so. I think IB students clearly exemplify that it is possible to be ambitious and have fun at the same time.
The best thing about IB
The thing I appreciated the most on the IB programme were my fellow students, and I have learned a great deal from some very clever guys! Some of these are now among my best friends, and I even started my company, IDEALIZER, with one of them. Great programmes attract great people, and IB is a great programme. Also, I have come to appreciate the many quantitative courses during the first year, and whereas they were indeed challenging at the time, they are now an important part of my professional toolbox.
The Typical IB student
There is no such thing as a typical IB student, and the diversity is in fact one of the things I appreciate about the programme. But if there is one thing most IB students have then it is passion, or drive if you will. Passion for making a difference and the drive to get things done.
Recommendations for the future IB student
Study hard but don't forget to have fun. And if you don't like coffee, you should get used to it, cause you will need it during some of those never-ending group sessions, where you will some time wish that you could just do the project yourself, not having to agree with anyone.
Joachim Meyer Andersen
Last updated by Andrew Arnold 03/09/2009
Banking on a good career
Robin graduated from IB in 2009, where he also took part in the GLOBE programme. Alongside his MSc studies he now works at Saxo Bank as a Research Analyst in the bank's strategy group. He contributes to the bank's research reports and has had several research notes published.
"Studying IB does not only introduce and prepare you for an international career, it also opens doors and gives you opportunities to enter the professional field along with your studies. It is not unusual for students at IB to have jobs. Not just any student job, but positions at true multinational firms that enable you to practice what you have learned in real work-related environments."
A good international mix
"The thing I liked the best about IB was the mix of internationals and Danes - I have lived abroad most of my life so knew I would feel more at home in such a setting," says 2007 graduate Andrew Townsend.
"IB allowed me to meet many more nationalities and cultures than I expected, for one, and, for two, i was given the chance to work in groups a lot more than I was used to from the British system. The case studies were always a blend of local/international/and global firms giving you a perspective of how things interact in the markets."
'Think big and work hard'
That's the advice from IB graduate Ulrik Binzer. He graduated from the IB programme in 2003 and is now studying for an MBA degree at the prestigious Harvard Business School. Before starting his studies at Harvard, he worked as an analyst at McKinsey for two years and then as an associate in the venture capital firm Golden Gate Capital.
An ideal preparation for an international career
Thea Sørensen graduated from the International Business programme in 2007. Since then she has gone on to join Nokia's graduate programme, and has worked in Copenhagen, Beijing and Helsinki. "Practically, I learned a lot from studying in the multicultural environment that is IB. Already having an international network before I graduated made it easier to go in to a career in Nokia," she says.
