The content of this page is translated. Read the original text in Danish

What kind of industry is your company/organisation a part of?

I specialise in management consulting, financial counselling, financing, HR and HRM and fundraising.

Briefly describe your "journey" from university to your current job.

I did an apprenticeship as a trainee accountant while studying HD in the evenings. I continued my education as an accountant and manager while studying for a master´s degree in Business Economics and Auditing at AAU. Subsequently, I completed a banking programme and became a member of the executive board at a financial institution. I have now been self-employed for 17 years.

What do a few typical job assignments look like for you?

My assignments span a number of areas. In headlines, I work with reconstruction, MBO (management by objectives), buying and selling companies, generational handovers, counselling, and board work. In addition, I am a teacher and an external examiner as well as a juror in the Danish courts.

Describe your typical working day?

It is impossible to describe a” typical” working day. Every day is different, and my job is my hobby, so everything blends together.

What motivates you?

First and foremost, it motivates me to make a difference for others. The future comes by itself, progress doesn´t. Students are also “customers” and what does the customer want? Things can´t be too theoretical they also have to be practical. I am good at getting people to convert things from theory to practice and seeing them succeed is very motivating for me.

What is the most important learning in your working life so far?

1. It is evident being decent to everyone.
   2. Communication – tell it like it is and bend all your efforts into letting the recipient understand what you want to communicate.
   3. Quality is good

How do you use your education and AAU expertise in practice?

I use it every single day. My education is my biggest and most important asset. I use my education in my jobs and the boards I sit on both in Denmark and abroad, and also as an external lecturer and an external censor.

Therefore, I would like to give something back to my educational institution. We were always treated well there.

What made you choose Aalborg University over another university?

Definitely because of the “group-oriented” way of working at AAU. Of course, also because of the accountant and ICT sector (knowledge business)

What made you choose the programme you did, and would you have chosen differently today?

I wanted a long education and love numbers and people. I had heard that the accountancy programme took longer than orthopaedic surgery - so actually, that appealed to me.

What is your favourite memory from AAU?

When Professor and Doctor Erik Werlauff makes me responsible for PBL – problem-based learning- at the master´s programme in Business Economics and Auditing. At the same time, we published a great article in “Revision and Regnskab” about the “Aalborg Model” (We went from 27 students to 137 students in four years).

What is your career advice for student and recent graduates?

When you graduate with a bachelor’s and/or master's degree and want to get a job, I recommend that you actively start your job search a year before you expect to graduate.
Willingly participate in ambassador meetings and network with someone from a different field of study/educational background.
I would like to emphasise that we should be super-excited about the learning that comes from working in groups

Anything relevant to portray you?

As a serial entrepreneur and silo networker, I have become very adept at networks and at networking. I also act as a business angel and fundraiser and enjoy working with start-ups.

You are always welcome to connect with me via LinkedIn:

Connect to Palle Laust Nielsen