Winter Issue 2020
JIBS UNITED MAGAZINE
Hur vil du göra skil nad? Hos oss på KPMG har du möjlighet att göra skillnad varje dag, i såväl stora som små uppdrag. Här arbetar du tillsammans i team som består av många olika erfarenheter och kompetenser. På KPMG är det teamet som gör skillnad. Vi vinner tillsammans, samtidigt har vi en kultur där det är okej att misslyckas – alla nya idéer och spännande innovationer är skapade av människor som vågade utmana, vågade tänka nytt och vågade misslyckas. Och det är en sån trygg kultur, där människor vågar lite mer, som vi bygger här på KPMG. Vill du göra skillnad med oss? Läs mer och gör vårt karriärquiz på kpmg.se/karriar
Väx på ditt sätt med oss ” Revision är den bästa starten på karriären du kan få ” Carl Allert Associate Assurance
Revision | Ekonomiservice | Skatt | Rådgivning
What if you could personalize your career like you do your playlists? We are looking for newly graduated talents to join us in 2021 and scale our four different service lines — Assurance, Consulting, Tax and Strategy and Transactions — to new heights. At EY, you can work with a diverse team of 3,000 colleagues to help our customers solve demanding challenges. With us, you will find opportunities to build a career that is as unique as you.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS WORDS FROM THE DEAN
8
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR IN CHEIF
10
WORDS FROM THE TEAM
15
HOW TO: HOME-OFFICE
20
WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT SEASONS FOR CHANGE
16
COFFEE BREAK WITH AENNE OHAINSKI HOW CORONA CHANGES OUR
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT MARKET
12
NEW INCOME STREAMS IN THE MIDST OF
A PANDEMIC: A GLIMMER OF HOPE AND MONEY
26
30 35
DREAM JOB WITH ROBIN WARCHALOWSKI
38
DURING TIMES OF CHANGE: ONLINE LEARNING
42
WHY CHANGE ISN'T ALWAYS SUCH A BAD THING
47
HOW TO FOCUS ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE: MEET THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
51
"
UNDERSTANDING CHANGE IS KEY TO ADVANCEMENT ALSO IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Professor Jerker Moodysson
Dean and Managing Director
Jรถnkรถping International
Business School
WORDS FROM THE DEAN
I
n the 1960s the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan released his album “The Times They are A-Changin”. The title track of that album could as well have been released in the early 1990s, when I went to the university, or today, when you live through the most turbulent time seen in decades. It touches upon themes that every generation perceive as crucial for their existence: environment, geopolitics, social justice, equality, and culture. Understanding change is key to advancement also in business and economics. In my own field, Innovation Studies, change is at the very definition. It is well documented that most change processes are slow and incremental, moving us in a direction set out long ago. This is what we refer to as path dependence. One reason for path dependence is that humans are guided by routines. We establish routines because we are rational, our instinct is to avoid risks. Our reliance on routines and our strive for gradual change makes us resilient.
Occasionally though, our road map is challenged by external shocks. Something unexpected happens, which makes our routines less applicable. The path we walk take a sudden turn and we find ourselves no longer as resilient as we used to be. Some become winners, some become losers. This is what innovation scholars would refer to as disruption. We have seen several disruptions in history. Some of them emerged from scientific and technological advancements (electricity, penicillin, semiconductors), while
some of them are indirect effects of human activities (world wars, global warming).
Most disruptions are not understood by the general public until they are already fully implemented, but sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a transition. Now – one year into the Covid-19 pandemic – is such a moment. We are still unaware of the long-term effects, but most of us realize that we will never return to the same path that we were walking one year ago. Our jobs and daily lives will not be the same. Students and teachers experience immediate effects of this sudden turn. We do not yet know how long the crisis management is going to last, but we can already see that some new practices (innovations?) will come out of it and shape our future path. When looking at the wider consequences for higher education, fundamental disruption is expected. Having built our business for more than 100 years on increasing international mobility, we face a situation when such increase is at least temporary paused.
Personally, I am convinced that path dependency is strong, and that JIBS will maintain its position as one of the most international business schools in Europe and the world, but I am also convinced that it will require entirely new routines and practices, both in the classroom (whatever shape that may take) and in strategy work. Mobility will not stop or even slow down, and we will still be humans with needs for social interaction, but we should not underestimate the power of external shocks pushing us in new directions.
WORDS FROM THE
"..EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN UPHILL CLIMB, THE VIEW FROM THE TOP ARE MOST OFTEN BETTER THAN THOSE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN"
E EDITOR IN CHEIF T
his is quite a surreal feeling. Writing this means that we, the JIBS United Team, pulled of the Winter Issue 2020. Due to all things going on everything has been very unsure, and the conditions this semester has presented is without doubt not ideal. But I am very happy to say that, after finding a team ready to put in the work we can happily present the Winter issue 2020.
The theme of this issue is change. Starting out we would have liked to be an escape from the reality of the pandemic, however we soon realized that it will affect everything. It affects our university, it affects our future job market, it affects us. In other words, we realized that this is a golden opportunity for us to provide tips on how to prevail. It is important to remember that change is not all ways good, but also even if it is perceived as bad the outcome can be better than you could ever imagine.
In my personal experience, change can be a real struggle when forced upon you. You are pushed out of your comfort zone, and out of the safety of what you know. It can be anything, being let go from a job, being dumped, finding yourself in the midst of a pandemic, moving. However, I have come to learn that even though it is an uphill climb, the view from the top are most often better than those from the bottom of the mountain. 
The pandemic has created a situation where all we knew was put at a standstill, and it has been very challenging in many ways. A lot of people feel alone, a lot of people are scared of what is happening, and a lot of peo-
ple are scared of what is to come. It is now, more than ever, important for us to reach out. Reach out to your friends, check in on them and make sure that you lend a hand when it is needed. I hope that you can find this issue helpful, whether if it is about how to tackle the changing job market, or if it is about how to handle you own mental health in these times. We have it all!
I would like to thank everyone who has had a hand in creating this issue, our Managing Director, our writers, proofreaders, marketing team and designers! To everyone in the JSA board that answered all of my strange questions. Especially to Mila, Head of Marketing, thank you for always trying to answer everything even if you did not always have the answers from the start. To all students at JIBS, I encourage you to embrace changes. Embrace the opportunities that come with changes. And see towards the future! Enjoy the Winter Issue 2020, and we hope Sincerely yours,
Emelie Bengtsson
C
hange is inevitable. Some of us fear it and some of us thrive from it. Sometimes it is forced upon us, sometimes we proactively seek for it, and sometimes we do not even realise it has happened until after it has happened. Times like these are challenging and forces things to change. But perhaps it is simply just speeding up a process that was bound to happen anyway. Regardless, looking it with a lens of opportunity, it is a chance to improve and do better, it simply becomes a challenge not an obstacle.
and possibilities are. It has really given us a chance to dig down the purpose of every single thing we do and the possibility rebuilt it from the scratch. Make every aspect of what we do purposeful. Therefore, when we do organise events you as a student can be sure that your safety has been thought of from the moment you buy a ticket to the moment the taxi drives away from the venue. We are working towards keeping the student life going and striving to make sure that.
It requires a change in mind-set which in itself is a skill that needs constant practice. I like to think of it as comparison to Legal Astuteness. Legal Astuteness is about getting to know all the laws applicable and turning that knowledge into your benefit. Not letting rules and regulations stop what we are doing but rather absorb them and create something incredible within them. There are opportunities in everything if you know where to look. And if you do not know where to look, just keeping your eyes open will help you forward rather them shutting them completely.
I grew up in Finland where a part of the culture is to dip into frozen lakes. The ice water hurts for a moment and it feels like your heart stops for a second. But when you get out you feel your heart falling back to it’s normal beat but you feel so much better in your boy. When coming out of this pandemic we will be even better and stronger with what we do. It may seem difficult right now but in the end it helps us to improve and grow. So my advice is to find that inner Finn in all of us and jump into that lake and make the most of it!
It comes as no surprise that these past few months has made changes in our association. Not being able to do everything the way we usually do has pushed everyone to think outside of the box. It easy to fall into a pattern and never question it. I believe I do not speak for only myself when I say that these patterns have been shaken not stirred within the past few months.
Instead of throwing the towel in the ring and giving up we have looked hard into what our different limitations, responsibilities,
And the cruel truth. It is not always the bad things that change. Sometimes even the best things do too. But that does not mean they will change for the bad. And whatever changes once can most likely be changed back so go out and make a change. Make a change for yourself and try something new or different. It does not matter whether it is ordering a different meal at Max or whether it is a big lifestyle change.
WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT
SARA HOOTON, PRESIDENT JIBS STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Dalal Adi Marketing Manager
Gihna Jamaleddine Proofreader
Isabella Amukule Writer
Amanda Sรถderberg Designer
Stella Faltudo Managing Director
Reina Fei Proofreader
Andreea Tiron Proofreader
Anoud Sayegh Writer
Emelie Bengtsson Editor in Cheif
Joy Bou Absi Designer
Mariam Al-Attar Marketing
Alicia Seah Proofreader
Elena Bordu Marketing
WORDS FROM THE TEAM “IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS, THERE IS ALSO OPPORTUNITY” –SUN TZU
This sentence may be a great summary of the year 2020, although it seems like many of us have been struggling, or not yet found the second part of this quote. Thinking over 2020 we may think of the many who have lost loved ones, their jobs, or their faith. But we are also here to remind you, that with every crisis experienced, better times will follow if you pull through it. Although it may be harder for some, we think it is important to embrace the opportunities given to us with this year as well.
In case you have not found them yet, we want to inspire you with this Winter Issue and give you some motivational words for the last weeks of 2020: We encourage you to clear your head as much as possible by going outside, taking a trip to new places around you and letting your mind rise above current problems. 2020 is a crossroad for everyone to reflect and understand, what they would have done different in the past and what they want in future. If you figure it out, we encourage you to be bold and courageous with your choices, because now we know how quick changes can come.
As Walt Disney said: “If you can dream it, you can do it” and with this edition of JIBS United, we encourage this quote to be your guidance.
Seasofonr s
e g n a Ch
E
very page in a book is different from the previous. Some pages are a continuation of the last, while others pen a new story entirely. Like a book, life changes every minute and with every change of the environment, comes change in what we feel, whether it be anger, hope, love, relief, or any of the many emotions we sort through with each new moment. Life, at times, may fill us with joy, and at other times make us question or regret our decisions that have brought us to this place. Sometimes both. These ups and downs, and uneasy middle, have been felt for many international students, including myself, who have gotten the opportunity to study in Sweden. As this article seeks to reveal, many have undergone culture shock due to new, occasionally unsettling situations that they have experienced. These cultural differences have made many feel both uncomfortable and quite intrigued. At the same time, others find themselves constantly comparing the systems they find here to those back home.
My personal experience in Sweden for the past month has been one of learning not only at the school, but also out on the streets of Jönköping. I have been intrigued by the feeling of security that pervades at any particular time of the day, even at night. One of the cultural differences that I can attest to, which surprised me as I was not up-to-date with the political situation in Sweden, is the high level of inclusivity in the country, especially the fact that LGBTQ+ members of society are both celebrated and empowered. This is quite the contrary to my country, Uganda, which stands firm by their conservative religious and tribal values, hence widespread intolerance to such inclusion of people in society.
Additionally, the Swedish weather is at times quite deceiving, as the sun will be shining brightly but upon stepping outside, one feels that they have just stepped into a refrigerator. The consequence of my judgement of the weather, by only looking at the sun as an indication of warmth, led me to dressing more lightly than I should, which eventually led to my contraction of the flu, which in turn caused me extreme paranoia considering the global health situation at this time.
Being in Uganda for about twenty years, I was used to the different sounds in my neighbourhood. The crowing of a cock at the strike of dawn, the blaring of music from a lorry moving on the road, the children playing in the compounds, the clanking of pans from the neighbours’ houses and the shouting from a mother giving instructions on an errand that her child is to make. There was always something being said between people at a shop, near a road or at a local pork joint, where people converged at all hours to discuss local affairs over roasted pork with a beer or soda. This is very unlike my experience of my neighborhood in Jönköping, as well as the city as a whole, in which there is a level of quietness very unlike my neighborhood in Uganda. As I said earlier, cultural shock has not only affected me, but also my fellow international students. Recently I had a conversation with some students who told me about their experience in Sweden.
Wahyu, a Master’s student studying Digital Marketing, compared his home country, Indonesia, to Jönköping. He has noticed that people here tend
to work according to the hours stated in the contract only, while back in Indonesia people tend to work overtime, even through the night. He continued on to say that in Sweden, the worklife balance is much more defined and prioritized than in Indonesia.This is all summarized with the Swedish word lagom In respect to Indonesia, people prioritize their work . “Someone can work the whole night and go home for a couple of hours then return to work,” says Wahyu. He also mentioned the fact that certain places in Sweden such as malls, some restaurants and coffee shops close too early, and so in case one would like to hangout with friends or do an assignment in these places they might not be able to. In Indonesia, the culture is more 24/7 and caters to those obsessive students and workers the culture breeds.
Tony, a Master’s graduate student, from India, gave me some insight into his experience in Jönköping and the different forms of culture shock that he went through. Firstly, he struggled to adapt to the difference in available food between Sweden and India. The amount of processed food is high and there is a lack of variety, especially in terms of rice and flour. During his first weeks here, he says that he consumed quite a lot of junk food,as he sought to find food similar to what he was used to. He also hinted to the fact that within his two year stay in Jönköping, he has not come across a good Indian restaurant. The silence in his neighborhood was another shock that he faced during his first months here. According to Tony, “(he) could not sleep sometimes because back in India there would be
some noise, a mosquito flying or the movement of an electric fan.” The silence made him feel both physical and psychological discomfort, as he struggled to sleep.
Lastly, Benson from Uganda, a Bachelor’s student in Marketing Management, shared how he has found Swedes quite reserved, For example, there are times when he greets fellow students he has interacted with a couple times, expecting a response in return. Unfortunately, this is always in vain, as he gets ignored. This is very different from his home culture of Uganda, where he fondly reminisces how “everyone is greeted and everyone is treated like they are known,” and how …””conversations can be held” because…there is that sense of community.”He continues, however, to mention that much as he has gone through the motions of cultural shock and rejection, he admires the fact that the system in Sweden promotes equality amongst people more than in his home country.. the more highly educated in Sweden do not flaunt it and “demand” respect, which is shown through the exclusion of titles like Mr., Mrs., Madam or Sir, as well as addressing one’s teachers by their first names, and the formality of university is removed in Sweden, so students can easily ask questions and give their commentary, no matter how controversial on certain topics. There are many more students at the university who have their own experience and different forms of cultural shock; Benson, Tony, Wahyu, and myself are just a tiny fraction of them. However much as we undergo the sometimes traumatic ritual of cultural shock, within a matter of time in Sweden we have come to embrace every
change that comes before us, whether good or bad, as a learning experience and a facet of our new home. It is from overcoming this discomfort and forcing ourselves out of our comfort zone that we learn something new, as well as enrich our lives one way or the other. These stories are testament to the fact that, as Deepak Chopra says, “all great things are preceded by chaos.” Cultural understanding, it seems, is no exception. By Anne Isabella Amukule
"IT IS FROM OVERCOMING THIS DISCOMFORT AND FORCING OURSELVES OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE THAT WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW..."
How to:
HOME-OFFICE by Stella Faltudo
P
roductivity and home-office. Some people might see this as a match made in heaven, while others probably shiver at the thought of it. But how come that some of us seem to thrive during the pandemic while others hardly find their way out of their motivation hole?
Picture this: You start working, but then you remember this specific recipe you had meant to google, so you would not forget to buy the necessary ingredients. Oh, and there was this email you were supposed to check. You unlock your phone, but for some reasons your fingers automatically lead you to your social media app, where you get lost for ten minutes before you open the email you intended to look at in the first place. And now you are done, but you are suddenly thirsty? Instead of working, you get up and make your way to the kitchen. Sounds familiar? Distractions are one of the main reasons we find it harder to work from home. There are no co-workers or supervisors to control us. Not even online meetings can give us the usual supervision that we are used to at a regular workplace. We become more careless with digital devices, which pose the biggest distraction to us, having them available all
around us. Also, background noises like music can be a major reason why we cannot seem to concentrate at home. Despite thinking that it may help us stay entertained during work, it often barricades our efficient thinking process.
Another reason why we may find distraction in scrolling through social media, watching TV shows, or even doing much more unrelated things like cleaning, cooking, playing games or napping, is because we like to avoid reality. In all fairness, reality has been a bit different since the beginning of this year, but for some people it has been worse than for others. Mental illnesses have skyrocketed during the pandemic, either as a
1.
SET A ROUTINE
Usually, we are used to having a daily schedule that we stick to. This possibly even includes public transportation, lunch appointments etc. Now that your days are no longer scheduled by others, it is your turn to schedule it yourself. Set yourself an approximate wake-up and bedtime to gain control over your sleeping habits. Plan out regular mealtimes, perhaps even schedule online lunch dates. Perhaps, once every weekend schedule an online appointment with friends to play games or watch movies with, so you have something to work towards throughout the week. This will give you a strong sense of purpose everyday when you get up, which is highly crucial to motivation.
new or a deteriorating state of mind. In the UK for example, the rate of depression amongst people has doubled, going up to one in five people being affected since Covid begun. It is mostly because we are missing one essential thing that makes us human: interpersonal contact. The absence of human connection, which often sets our everyday lives leaves many people feeling lonely and confused, resulting avoidance of reality and future outlooks.
In case you identify yourself with any of these behavioural patterns, we have gathered multiple tips to help you feel less lost and boost the benefits you can take from home-office.
2.
STAY HEALTHY
Since going-out is not our main activity anymore, it is still important to move. This does not mean that you have to exercise, even though you despise it, but find a way of moving your body by going for walks, following dance videos or anything else that you enjoy. Not only is it important for your physical health, but it will help you improve your quality of sleep and release endorphins, brain chemicals that will increase your feeling of joy. Furthermore, it allows you to forget about everything else for a while.
3.
SET A ROUTINE
Last year going to university to get work done was still a norm and home was the place where we would relax after a long day. Now however, it is a necessity that we adjust ourselves and our surroundings, because our home has become the place for everything we do. Be sure to keep your place tidy and set clear boundaries on where you work and where you relax. An example of a clear boundary would be to sit at your kitchen table for meals and at your desk for work. Your bed is meant for sleeping, nothing else. And even though it may seem like an unnecessary activity but preparing yourself in the morning, like you would prepare for any other day at work, can have a tremendous impact on our productivity levels and mental health. This does not mean that you should wear makeup or business attire, but simply wearing a comfortable pair of bottoms with a neat top and your hair done nicely, will greatly impact your wellbeing.
4.
STAY HEALTHY
Although it seems like home-office comes with a lot of downsides, especially to people who initially never intended to work from home, there are many great opportunities open to us, only because of home-office. Firstly, we should be glad to get this experience. Over the past years many people had been fighting to reform their jobs into home-office and it was not something that was easily granted. Now we can get a taste of a modern form of work that many people have wanted for a long time and discover by ourselves, whether it benefits us or if we would like to work differently in future. In fact, one of the greatest opportunities home-office grants us is time. Take a moment to calculate the daily time consumed by commuting back and forth between places. Oftentimes this takes away almost two hours of our daily schedule, which we can now make use of instead. Have you ever been interested in something that you never had the time to do, perhaps learning an instrument, how to cook or the basics of web-design? Trust us, the time granted right now will never come back in future and in case you feel like wanting to learn something, now is just the time to get started.
T
o get a greater picture, we decided to ask students whether they were doing better in a home office or regular work setting. We also wanted to see what skills they would be interested in learning. Depending on how you would answer these questions We wondered whether the high preference for a regular work setting might be due to the control given at places as such. Although a vast majority of students described themselves as responsible, there were a lot less who assessed themselves as good when it came to time-management.
STUDENTS FEEL...
68%
77%
of students prefer the
regular office compared to the home office
don't find themselves more productive since covid
It is clear to see that the
majority of students does
not feel like they are being more productive while
working from home. In
When it came to student’s interest in learning new skills, there was a clear indication that most were interested in acquiring new skills. Therefore, we can assume that despite the motivational toll that the pandemic has taken on many students, the majority is still eager to busy themselves with new interests and useful skills for their future. In the following, we gave them the choice of some popular options that partakers of the survey had mentioned, to see which skills were the most desired amongst students.
fact, most students preferred a regular office setting.
RESPONSIBLE? READYNESS TO LEARN NEW SKILLS
GOOD AT TIMEMANAGEMENT
I
t was satisfying to see that students answered almost equally in terms of cognitive or physical stimulation, both of which are crucial to stay motivated. Although several students expressed their interest in coding, almost two thirds preferred to learn web design instead, probably to the higher attainability of this skill in comparison to coding. Learning a language or reading a book resulted almost equally, both of which are great to stimulate our minds and develop new skills and fields of interest. Surprisingly, numerous students pondered with the idea of starting their own business rather than becoming a freelancer. If you want to know more about starting your own business and find inspiration, we suggest to take a look at our last Spring Issue 2020, where you can find an extensive article on young entrepreneurs and how they started their own business. Lastly, if you started your own business or only read one book during this year of Covid, is not pivotal to you or your future. The biggest priority for any student is to remain mentally and physically healthy, whatever this may look like for them. If you have found inspiration after reading this though, we hope you find a new skill to enjoy or simply improve your surroundings to a more successful home office environment.
COFFEE BREAK with Aenne Ohainski I
had a fantastic opportunity to talk to Aenne Ohainski, a JIBS alumnus, about her time at JIBS and how she’s been doing post-graduation. Aenne is 30 years, lives in Berlin, and completed her master’s in Economic Analysis at Jönköping International Business School which commenced in 2017. She is originally from Germany but has lived in several countries. Before coming to Jönköping, Aenne finished her bachelor's in economics and business in Germany.
Aenne had never really been interested in going abroad and found it scary to stay away from home for a long period of time. However, while she was studying for her bachelor's degree, she decided to challenge herself and ended up doing an exchange semester in Ireland. "I had the best time in Ireland! And it made my decision on doing my masters abroad very easy". When deciding on where to do her master’s, Aenne focused on trying to find a master’s degree program within the field she had chosen, which eventually led her to choosing Jönköping University. “I had been to Sweden once when I was ten years old, but did not remember a lot so it was still very foreign and interesting”.
During her time at JIBS, Aenne took part in several different social activities. She loved the Kick-off, and still tell people about all the fun she had during that period. “It was so much fun, but it also created a situation where you got the opportunity to meet and talk to a lot of new people”. The whole situation was new to her. Back home in Germany, they have a similar thing at the university, but it tends to not be as big as it was in Jönköping. She also has fond memories of teaching German at the language café. “My life in Jönköping was very social, since I lived in a shared accommodation called Gula Villan. It was great! Sure, it was challenging, we were seven people living together and I shared my room with another girl, but I never felt alone because there were always people around.” After her graduation she went on to seek jobs mainly in Stockholm, however she found it quite difficult and ended up being unemployed for three months. “Sometimes it took very long for them to get back to you with any sort of response, and sometimes you didn’t hear back at all. Once, I went to an interview, and the company representant told me they would get back to me within a week. However, it took them one and a half month. Fortunately, while I was waiting, I received another job offer and accepted it. You cannot wait around forever.” She also told us that, it was frustrating to be unemployed for three months but at the same time it gave her a break from juggling a fulltime job with writing her master’s thesis.
She emphasized that since she is not really fluent in Swedish, getting a job in Sweden would be very difficult, but also acknowledge that her concentrating her search to the Stockholm area most likely did not help. It was at this point that she realized she had to broaden her job search. The search grew increasingly difficult as she was in a relationship and wanted to be close to her boyfriend. In the end, her search took them to Berlin. “It was not planned, I wanted to stay in Sweden after my graduation. My boyfriend is from Sweden and had a job in Stockholm. However, since I did not get a job in Sweden it led both of us to Berlin in the hope that this may be the city for us since it is quite international. I had never before thought of Berlin as a possible city for me to live in, just because it is very big and fast paced. Regardless, I love the city and highly recommend it to anyone who’s considering relocating to Berlin”. Aenne is currently on parental leave and is employed by Bearing Point - an international consulting firm with locations throughout Europe, in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and America. Aenne highly recommends Bearing Point to anyone looking for a new job. “There are numerous possibilities for employees to develop and grow within the company, and there are many different fields that are very attractive. Each job is diverse, and Bearing Point gives you the opportunity to learn about different things which makes the job challenging yet fun”. Her current position is within the field of finance, and a little in IT, but she sees herself moving around within the company since it offers
plenty of opportunities.
I asked Aenne if there was any knowledge about the process of job hunting that she would like to pass on to our students, or if there was anything that she would have liked to know herself before embarking on her search for a job, to which she said: “I think it is important to have a good structure, be organized in keeping track of all applications and what is required for each one. Also, start early! You could start even before you graduate. Create a network; Take advantage of the fairs and events that are held on campus and use them to build a strong network that you can use when looking for a job. Find other ways to apply to jobs, some people get jobs as a result of knowing someone who knows someone. As you gain working experience, it will become easier to find other jobs. Do not give up!! It is very frustrating, and I did not expect it to be as hard as it was. If you can, not limiting yourself to a specific geographical location will make finding a job much easier. Also, it is important to consider your grades, it will not always be a major part of hiring. For example, when I applied to different start-ups they did not really care about the grades. But also, with start-ups you have to be aware of the fact that you will have to work a lot and not get paid that much. They are more often looking to find people that fit in their business and that are willing to commit many hours into the business rather than finding someone with top grades that demands a high pay.” We spoke a lot about change, since
we are now facing a society forced to change and adapt to new circumstances. Since Aenne was an exchange student at Jönköping University, she has first-hand experience of handling change. She never really found the move from Germany to Sweden difficult in the sense that both these cultures are quite similar, so there was no real culture shock. “I really liked it in Sweden and that is why I wanted to stay in Sweden. My boyfriend often told me that Swedish people are a bit distant and anti-social, but that is not something I experienced. I found Swedes very welcoming. However, there were only three Swedes in my class at JIBS, so maybe I am the wrong person to talk to on this matter”.
We also talked about how to face a situation filled with changes, and negative ones in particular. “You should be open to the change. Even if it is not positive, you should try to see the positive in the situation or try to see what positive things will come out of the experience. The situation with the pandemic and lockdowns has really shown me the importance of being open to change. Although, this whole situation is awful, it has made me more appreciative of what I have!”. The international environment at JIBS provided her with valuable knowledge and understanding of other people and their cultures. “I have learnt to not judge people based on their nationalities. There is major difference between different nationalities, however, that is what makes it interesting. In our accommodation, we had international food evenings where we spoke about our different cultures and compared dif-
ferent experiences. It opened my eyes to parts of the world where I didn’t see myself traveling to before. The exchange of culture that I experienced opened my mind to pursue even more knowledge about different cultures”.
Before we said goodbye, I asked Aenne about her dreams and what she sees herself doing in the future. “My dream is to travel a lot, to be everywhere so to say. I would also like to come back to Sweden and live there, I am a restless person. Now that we have it good here in Berlin, I would like to change it up, do something new, go somewhere new and get know new people and their cultures during my travels. As a student it is quite easy to get tourist visas to different countries, but when you have graduated and are not yet employed, getting a tourist visa in some countries becomes more difficult. As an unemployed person, countries would be worried that you might stay in their country past your holiday duration, therefore making the visa process longer and more complicated. So, the prime time to travel is when you are a student!”. We would like to thank Aenne for talking to us and sharing her story with JIBS United and all the students at JIBS. We wish her all the best in whatever she takes on in the future, and wherever it leads her. by Emelie Bengtsson
HOW CORONA CHANGES OUR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT MARKET by Stella Faltudo
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he beginning of the year 2020 marked a drastic change for all of us – affecting every part of our lives like social circumstances, environment, and our economy. The latter is an aspect which may spark fear in many students and alumni, raising questions about our future employment and what the recent changes could mean for us longterm.
It is needless to say that unemployment rates have shot like a rocket and it does not seem like there will be balance anytime soon. In Sweden, the unemployment registrations have increased by a percentage change of 35,9% when comparing the years of 2019 and 2020 (IZA Institute of Labor Economics, 2020). Despite all looking a little dark at times, there are some true winners amongst populations experiencing this crisis. Individuals, employed in the health sector, both in pro-
duction of medical products like masks, and those directly involved in health services like hospitals, are clearly economic winners in this pandemic. Also, any employments within the IT or online service sector have experienced great upsides of this pandemic. Online platforms such as Netflix and Amazon have skyrocketed throughout the course of this year. People, who are employed as production workers or office employees for example, have been able to take their work home or
work under newly adapted circumstances. However, lower-salary workers like waiters, sales assistants and other non-virtual services have found themselves to either make great geographical changes for their jobs or become unemployed. Unfortunately, for as long as lockdowns and Covid-waves determine our lives, they may remain in regular periods of unemployment, urging them to find new jobs. Another trend identified so far, is the economic advantage of Asian countries, specifically China, due to their smart and fast-paced approaches of getting the
virus under control. At least, this is a current development, which could however change anytime, given how unpredictable the situation is. Currently, Europe is a straggler of the pandemic due to its rather slow approaches of control and less readability to adapt. Despite an increase in unemployment, European countries still cling to the hope of retaining jobs as they were before. In contrast, the United States of America have yet not shown a clear position of winner or loser within this pandemic. This is mostly related to their current uncertainty in politics, with
elections just ahead. Only then it can be determined, what position the US will obtain in comparison to Europe and Asia.
As a summary, it is clear to see that a trend towards more digitisation of jobs is ahead of us. An unfortunate side effect is the decrease in globalisation amongst economies and a development of greater inequality amongst countries of high technological standards versus less developed countries, who will only continue to struggle even more.
But what does this mean for students like us? Is it legitimate to feel scared when thinking about our future or are we more worried than we should be? To uncover these underlying anxieties of our future economy, we have conducted an interview with Andreas Torén.
Andreas Torén is the Career Counsellor and Head of Student Counselling and Service at Jönköping University`s career centre. He has worked as a career counsellor since 2002 and has special expertise in the topic of the international labour market.
Did the pandemic first shock you regarding the labour market or were you less worried about its possible affects? Pandemics occur on a regular basis but unfortunately regarding corona it was much less predictable in terms of how it would develop and spread. The uncertainties affected a multitude of aspects, but countries with a solidly developed technical infrastructure have been less affected and more prepared from a labour market perspective.
Do you think that there are some definite changes in the labour market that us students can expect to affect us in future?
Because of the uncertainty corona has brought along, shorter contracts, and the need of a more flexible workforce can be expected. A continuous rapid increase of flexible workplaces is something the future beholds. These trends were already ongoing before the pandemic, but have and will increase even more so.
Can the pandemic be responsible for both positive and negative changes? If so, what would be some examples? The above already mentioned flexible workplaces, which would probably be considered a positive development. Globalisation will continue but in a different way than before, less traveling and more digital meetings for instance. Development of some markets with less developed infrastructure will unfortunately slow down for a while and by doing so increase the difference between rich and poor countries.
Thinking of now and the time after the pandemic – which careers would you say are winners of the catastrophe and which are “losers”/less fortunate? Well building support systems for flexible work is an easy winner. Otherwise it is more related to which markets they are in and how they develop. The boring answer to this question is that the more digitalised any jobs are, the better they will be doing.
Do you think a new niche of careers will develop within the labour market due to the pandemic? If so, is there any example? Early to tell but niches will probably appear in areas concerning, health, sustainability, hygiene, information security, safety, and so on. A new job position I can imagine for the future would be digital meeting coaches for example.
Finally, do you have any motivational words you want to give students who may worry about their future career because of the pandemic? For as long as you have the drive, always prepare yourself and do your best you can succeed no matter what! And if you have any questions don´t hesitate to contact the Career Centre.
If you have any questions you would like to ask, regarding your personal job situation, or you would like to schedule a meeting with an expert of the Career Centre, you can contact them via careercenter@ju.se or directly book an appointment online on their webpage via www.ju.se/student/en/career/career-center
NEW INCOME STREAMS IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC: A Glimmer of Hope and Money
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ost students can relate to the plight of Trina. She is a twenty-five-year-old Masters’ student, and has always always dreamed of pursuing a high-power corporate position, clad in a sensible, yet striking, pantsuit, sweeping through the hallways of her company and commanding respect. Just like the actors from the famous American series, “Suits”.
Unfortunately, Trina’s ambitions have to be put on hold for a while, due to the pandemic, caused by Covid-19, that has swept through the world and shows no signs of stopping. This pandemic has caused the closure and standstill of many businesses, and just about every job that can be performed remotely has been forced to do so, effectively crushing Trina’s corner-office dreams. The work-from-home mandate, or suggestion, depending on the country, is a result of the strict regulations enforced by governments worldwide in their quest to combat the rampant spread of the virus. However, their valiant efforts to slow the spread can put young people in a crushing spot, both mentally and in regards to their career prospects.
Trina is experiencing difficulty spending the majority of her days idle, the effort required to attend class merely a Zoom link away, the prospects of going to the gym or meeting with friends for shopping or drinks stripped away. Let alone interviewing for a job or internship in the current job climate to obtain an in-person position. Moreover, having already obtained an undergraduate degree, Trina has the understandable urge to earn her own money. The balance
of her bank account is dwindling, and she has decided to stop asking her parents for money, since they have other children to take care of and surely financial strains of their own thanks to the pandemic. Many JU students find themselves in a similar boat: restless, frustrated, looking for work but finding little, stressed over money.
So what is a student to do?
Trina, for her part, had a breakthrough moment: she is currently considering starting and running her own business from home. It’s accessible during the pandemic, since there’s no socialization or travel requiredjust an internet connection, a computer, and a bit of know-how. She has been doing research into website design and digital marketing, two lucrative sectors that both fit perfectly with an at-home schedule and are booming due to increased online activity and shopping. Just like Trina, many people want to find alternative income streams to make ends meet in this pandemic situation, but not everyone knows where to look for inspiration.
JU United Magazine is taking the initiative to share not only Trina’s idea with fellow students, but to go a step further and give our best advice for starting an online business: while they may appear daunting to start, online businesses a great way to not only boost one’s CV and learn practical knowledge, but also to earn a bit of money on the side.
Here’s some helpful tips to get started with an online business and keep it running smoothly!
Establish name and type of company:
One of the keys to success of a company, especially a start-up, is a name that not only grabs people’s attention, but is also clearly related to the purpose of the business, and sticks in customers’ heads. The owner(s) needs to think about the type of brand that he or she intends to create. An online consulting business called “Student Consultancy Sweden” is going to command more attention, and respect, than one called “Consultants R Us.” Furthermore, the business owner(s) needs to decide the category under which their business stands: is it to be a sole proprietorship, a limited company, or a business partnership? This will allow the owner(s) to know the paperwork to complete to launch the company, give the owner a model to follow, and can even influence the name- after all, “Student Consultancy Sweden, LC” has quite the professional ring to it.
Perform market research (it’s not as scary as it sounds, we promise!):
It is vital to perform some market research before entering into any market, as it serves to assess the needs, wants, and profiles of a venture’s ideal clients. The more research is done, the less uncertainty there is, which not only reduces the stress of the business owner(s), but can be an indication of future success of the business as well. Apart from this, performing market research also enables the owner to know the right materials and equipment to buy that will allow the business to run smoothly. While big corporations might use sophisticated software or consultants to perform market research, a start-up can learn a lot just by getting out and talking to potential customers, setting up surveys on Instagram or Facebook, or talking to local business owners (via Zoom of course!) who sell a similar product/service or serve a similar clientele.
Keep finances in check:
Many people do not think it necessary to bookkeep within the confines of a home-based business, since the business has no designated physical location apart from the home, and the business itself is often quite small. However, keeping an account of all finances is important, and it’s one of the key tenets of financial accounting that business is kept separate from the personal sphere. The business should have a separate bank account than that of the business owner(s), even if it’s a one-person operation. To make a profit one must either have the knowledge to, or hire an outside party who can keep the accounts in check as well as ensure that the necessary taxes are paid, which prevents any problems with tax officers. No one wants to lose money, or get into legal trouble after all the effort and time put in to build a business. Of course, a small student-run venture likely cannot afford to hire an accountant, but there are options! Perhaps enlist the help of a friend or classmate who is taking Economics or Accounting, or even look into online software that can perform accounting and tax functions for small businesses at a (relatively) low rate.
Market, market, market:
Nobody will know about what a business has to offer, or even the business itself, if it is not displayed to potential customers! Small businesses can utilize the services of smaller websites and blogs, either for paid features or by reaching out with an interesting story, product, or collaboration. Social media is another simple and free/cheap method that can be undertaken to advertise one’s services. Getting noticed by the target market is important, and the target market very rarely stumbles upon a new product themselves. Small business owners (especially sole proprietorship) must not forget that they are the marketing department, as well as every other department! Marketing doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive, though. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest are free to use, and can help build a following and also cultivate a brand aesthetic. Post flyers around town! Talk to fellow students and get them to share your business on social media! Google AdWords, or similar services on other sites, is another great option for reaching the target market with a limited budget. Creating a visually appealing and eye-catching logo is also a very useful tool for digital marketing, as it will stick in customers’ heads.
Without passion, why even try?:
Dave Kerpel, CEO and founder of Likeable Locals once wrote:
Passion is the energy that keeps us going, that keeps us filled with meaning, and happiness, and excitement, and anticipation. Passion is a powerful force in accomplishing anything you set your mind to, and in experiencing work and life to the fullest extent.
Therefore, to build a successful home business, the owner(s) must put in their all and keep motivating themselves to keep pushing every day in the execution of the business. Passion is what fuels late nights, false starts and setbacks. Passion is what pushes an idea to a successful business, and passion is the drive behind everything else. If the passion is lost, even if the business is succeeding, then the business is effectively lost too.
In addition to these tips on building a successful home-based business, there are a range of books entrepreneurs in this field can read. Why not pick up a book while you’re stuck at home? Here are some suggestions: 8 Ways to Run a Successful Home Based Business- Tools and Strategies to Help You Operate Your Business. Jones, Edward.
What’s Your Plan B? Why You’d Be Crazy Not to Own a Home-based Business. Epps, Courtney & and McFadden, Robert A. Home Based Business. Edwards, Paul.
Ecommerce Home Based Internet MarketingStarting an Ecommerce Business With Almost Zero Capital Via Free Ecommerce Method and Affiliate Marketing. Simmons, Tony. Home Based Business Simplified Beginner’s Guide. Shah, Srujal.
Semi- Passive Income Home Based Ideas for Business Ideas Perfect for First Time Entrepreneurs. Turner, Ryan. Home and Community Based Services Made Simple- A Quick Reference Guide To Creating A Successful and Sustainable Program. Wilson, Nicole.
Home Based Business Start-up Guide- A Step-By-Step Road Map- With Checklists- to Get You Started- Up, Profitable, and Successful. Weltman, Barbara J.D. & Henderson, Richard. Start Your Own Home Based Business- Create Monthly Income Without Leaving Home. Scott, Stephen. Passive Income Ideas And Home Based Business Opportunities- 55 Ways To Make Money Online Analyzed. Ezeanaka, Michael.
What do you have to lose? Follow Trina’s lead and start your own homebased business today! By Anne Isabella Amukule
ROBIN WARCHALOWSKI
DREAM JOB WITH A
s a student, the future might seem scary and unsure, especially now with the unknown repercussions of the pandemic. However, it is crucial to remember that regardless of the obstacles life gives you, you can still follow and fulfill your dreams. All of us have different dream jobs, and I had the great opportunity to chat with Robin Warchalowski, a JIBS alumnus about his journey to getting his dream job.
Robin Warchalowski grew up in Huskvarna, close to Jönköping and found his way to JIBS as a result of his two older brother’s personal recommendations of both campus and exchange experiences. The tipping point however was that both of his older brothers landed cool jobs after their graduation providing the market value of the education. Today, Robin is 42 years old, married with two kids, and is currently employed by EY (formerly known as Ernst
& Young) as a Director and has the role of leading the Outsourcing Advisory practice in the Nordics (based out of Stockholm). Robin attended Jönköping International Business School from 1998 to 2002. While he was writing his master’s thesis in 2002, he faced a job market crisis following the burst of the infamous “Internet bubble”. He tells us about the struggle he and his fellow graduates faced. Fortunately, he managed to land a job at PostNord Management Trainee program in Stockholm just a couple of days before graduating.
Would you consider your current position to be your dream job? “Yes, I really consider myself having the “dream job”. I work at a company that is constantly ranked in the top tier of Great Places to Work’s ranking of best workplaces as well as Universum’s ranking of World’s Most Attractive Employers.
After working with two previous companies, I can totally confirm that it is easier to find a dream job with a dream employer. Working as a management consultant provides me with variation, a high degree of autonomy, a great benefits package as well as infinite possibilities to grow and develop where I stand. This is probably the reason why I have chosen to stay with my current employer for almost 12 years now. On top of that, I am surrounded with co-workers that are sharp and truly passionate about their work - many of whom graduated from their universities in Sweden as top of their class”.
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“Rather I like to look back on my early years in the industry, where I had to work late nights and weekends as a lesson.”
How did you go about landing a job at one of the biggest auditing and consulting firms in the world? What specific qualifications are sought after? “EY was very strict and formal in their recruitment process. Although I had been working for more than six years and had a recommendation from one of the Partners in the firm, I had to provide my high-school grades, proof of graduation from JIBS, partake in four interviews and sit for a numeric test, a logical test, an English test and a final case-interview. In other words, it is not going to be easy. Apart from performing well in the formal recruitment process, EY also took a deep dive into my references. So, a word of advice is to always leave your earlier engagements with a “clean slate” and keep your network alive since you never know when you need a call-off assistance on a short notice. Regarding sought after qualifications it differs a lot depending which one of our service lines – Assurance, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, Tax – that we are recruiting for so it’s hard to generalize”. What students might be worried about is the fact that they may have to sacrifice something on their way to their dream job. Did you have to sacrifice anything? “I would not say that I had to sacrifice anything in particular. Rather I like to look back on my early years in the industry, where I had to work late nights and weekends as a lesson. I learned a lot in the process, and it has helped me to solve problems faster and cope with stress better with the responsibilities I have within my role today”.
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“We will have to see what happens later on but 2020 has so far not earned me a gold card at SAS.”
Would you like to change anything about his job in any way to fit your current lifestyle? “I would say traveling on short notice. Since the competence I have developed within the field of Outsourcing Advisory is quite rare and sometimes requested by clients on a global level, I have occasionally during my career, needed to travel where the work is with quite short notice. Perhaps that will change post-Covid-19, through doing more virtual meetings and workshops with the clients. We will have to see what happens later on but 2020 has so far not earned me a SAS gold card”. To conclude, do you have any advice for our current students, who have to face the reality of job hunting in the near future? “Well one thing that I wish I had known when I was a student is that, if you are going to pursue a career either in Consulting or M&A Advisory with the Big Four or with any of the big Strategy houses, these companies usually tend to focus on a couple of priority schools where they make their “first pick”. Unfortunately, JIBS is not usually on the list for these types of jobs. Stockholm School of Economics, Industrial Economics
This does not mean that it’s “over” if you want to pursue a career within consulting if you are a student at JIBS. However, it means that you need to focus on getting “your story” straight and apply with a super-strong CV and a Curricular record really out of the ordinary to make it to the interview sessions.”
In other words, students need to get their carrier path mapped out and make strategic decisions with regards to extra curriculars, internships and summer jobs. Get involved in your campus projects that are in the right field for you, take part in events that lift you in the right direction, and study harder than you think you should. “When you do - and then land a job - I can assure anyone starting a career within consulting that they won’t regret it. Whether you stay on or use the job as a launch pad for getting an executive position in the industry outside of consulting later on, the sky is the limit.”
We at JIBS United Magazine would like to thank Robin Warchalowski for sharing his story with us, and we wish him all the best of luck in whatever he does in the future. We hope that his story gives you hope and motivation to persevere towards landing your dream job! By Emelie Bengtsson
We are looking for new talents to start at Deloitte during the autumn 2021. Apply for a position at one of our departments; Audit & Assurance, Business Process Solutions, Tax & Legal, Risk Advisory, Consulting or Financial Advisory, today. Read more and apply at: www.deloitte.se/ledigajobb
What impact Will You Make?
HOW TO FOCUS ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING TIMES OF CHANGE: ONLINE LEARNING By Anoud Sayegh
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n times like this when change has come upon us abruptly, it is quite difficult to keep calm and not stress out about the uncertain future ahead of us. The pandemic that emerged in late 2019 has not only caused unfortunate circumstances but also an unanticipated new way of life, a new “normal”, that most of us still find to be overwhelming. As numerous organizations such as schools, universities and working offices had to follow respective regulations and adjustments due to the outbreak, a new era of online learning and teaching has emerged.Although the implementation of digital learning is necessary towards the prevention of increasing Covid-19 cases, the challenges it has on students are numerous. I’ve conducted a survey where 50 students participated and shared their personal opinions on online learning. The implementation of online learning has been perceived and judged differently amongst the participants. Around 45% of the students who took part in the survey have informed to enjoy online learning, as it is a more flexible alternative to the on-campus lectures. The rest of the students thought otherwise and believed that online learning is not as enjoyable. This is mainly due to the fact that digital learning has been experienced to be challenging and stressful to manage in contrast to what they were used to. Lack of motivation, difficulty in concentration, and communication issues are a few obstacles that the students are currently dealing with. Moreover, keeping up with one’s schedule and an overload of independent work are also few setbacks of online learning. Online learning has also had a tremendous effect on the students’ social life as social events and activities have been cancelled on campus ground. With those regulations taking place, the students experience lack of social
and face-to-face interactions as they don’t get to meet their friends, classmates and even new people as often as they did before. The survey has also pointed out an important issue which concerns some of the students, and that is the effect of online learning on their mental health. The unforeseen switch to home-based online learning has naturally affected them poorly as it is a drastic change from the interactive learning on campus. Anxiety, worry, stress, depression, loneliness and isolation are only a few but common effects of online classes. In order to help cope with those effects, the students have also shared with us some of their personal ways that help them boost and take care of their mental health. Some general examples are dancing, exercising, meditating, reading books as well as taking long walks and much more. In harsh and difficult times like these, it is necessary to focus more on our overall well-being and mental health to keep us feeling content and at peace. Having a good mental health is crucial, as it influences our daily thoughts, feelings and the way we react towards situations. It also has a direct effect on how we deal and cope with stress, life obstacles and difficult challenges. As students, taking the time to care for our mental health is as important as studying for our final exams and meeting deadlines, especially in hard times like these where change and transition are taking place by the minute. It is up to us to maintain good overall health and not let stressful times affect us negatively. That is why we need to prioritize and learn how to set time aside for ourselves in order to keep our mental health in good shape. There are plenty of ways to do that, but here are some of the most effective practices to incorporate into our life which yield positive benefits.
6 WAYS TO STAY MENTALLY HEALTHY AND CONNECTED 1. EXERCISE
Exercising and staying active is the ultimate way to care for your overall well-being. Not only does exercising enhance your physique and build up your strength, but it also has a direct effect on your mental health. Exercising regularly has a positive impact on common mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it's proven to relieve stress levels as well as improve your memory and quality of sleep. Not to mention that training your body also boosts your physical and mental energy level and improves your outlook.
2. TAKE A WALK IN THE FOREST
Similar to the benefits of exercising, taking walks in the beautiful forests of Sweden can have a great impact on your health. The exposure to the trees and crisp air helps reduce stress, boost you immune system, improve your mood as well as increase energy levels. It also helps with grounding yourself to the moment if you’re ever feeling anxious. It is a good way to clear your mind and be present in the moment.
3. EAT HEALTHIER
What you eat and put in your body has a huge impact on your energy level and overall health. Eating too much processed foods high in sugar as well as junk food can affect your mood as you may feel more irritable and sluggish. It also negatively impacts your energy level. On the other hand, eating nutritious food as well as having well-balanced meals contribute to having better energy levels throughout your days. Another interesting fact about eating healthy is the strong interconnection between food and mood. Eating healthy foods is known to promote good bacteria that in return rewards your brain and ends up making you feel good and results in a better mood. Sticking to a healthy diet reduces mood fluctuations and positively influences your overall outlook. After all, you are what you eat.
4. DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE
The adult life can get hectic and overwhelming at times, it is the way it is. We often get so caught up with our day-to-day tasks and studies that we forget to pause for a second to enjoy the little thing in life. It becomes easy to neglect our passions and things we enjoy doing as we get consumed with our busy life. Dedicating time within your day towards doing something you love and enjoy is important to do because it is an act of self-love. Putting time aside to spend on the things you enjoy doing can help you stay motivated within your days because you will always have something to look forward to whenever you’ve had a tough day. Moreover, doing something you love everyday will increase your happiness and put you in a better mood which naturally improves your mental health. We all deserve at least an hour in our busy days to cater to our needs and interests and do the things that we enjoy doing in order to feel our best.
5. PRACTICE REGULAR YOGA
Incorporating yoga in our daily life has numerous benefits on both our body and mind. Aside from the physical benefits such as increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and improved energy and vitality, yoga also benefits our mentality greatly. It is a useful tool to manage stress, as it helps center our attention as well as increase body awareness. Regular yoga practice also helps with mental clarity and calmness as it aids with the relaxation of the mind.
6. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS
Another effective way of dealing with stress and improving our mental health is the practice of mindfulness. In simple terms, mindfulness is a method within meditation where one uses to focus on the now. To be mindful is to be present within your conscious mind. It is when you are fully aware and attentive to what is happening right now or with whatever you are doing. When mindful, you have a positive and accepting approach with what you experience. Practicing this method regularly can help reduce stress, anxiety and even depression. Mindfulness is simple and innate; however, it requires practice to really benefit from it. There are several helpful methods to use found on Sweden’s care guide 1177. A simple exercise for beginners found on their website is to eat an apple mindfully. What that means is to really be attentive to the apple in your hand as you look at its color, feel its surface against your palm, examine the flavor and consistency in your mouth as you bite it and so on. You can practice mindfulness literally wherever you are with whatever you may be doing. The whole point of it is to give all your attention to your current experience and increase awareness to the present moment. You can read more about mental health and ways you can help yourself deal with the struggles on 1177.se If you have been dealing with mental health issues that are getting overwhelmingly difficult to handle, then it may be time to seek professional help. It is never wrong to ask for a helping hand in times where we feel low. We are all in this together.
STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE:
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WHY CHANGE ISN'T ALWAYS SUCH A BAD THING he comfort zone is a place we all can relate to, whether we're consciously aware of it or not. It can be defined as one’s psychological safe place, where everything is so certain, familiar and predictable. It’s a state where one feels no threat, fear or doubt. The comfort zone is where you feel at ease with your surroundings, which in return creates a sense of calmness within. As soothing and as pleasant as it may sound, the comfort zone has its downside. As John Assaraf once said, “a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there”.
You might be thinking to yourself, what could possibly be so dangerous about one’s comfort zone if it brings so much calmness and ease to one’s self? Well, think about it this way. You wake up every day and go along the same old morning routine you’ve had for a solid 3 years. You take the ordinary route to work, eat the same microwaved meals you’re used to, and go to bed watching some series you’ve already seen 3 times. All these things are within your reach, requiring minimum or no effort. They’re manageable, easy and convenient. Well, one thing that’s hopefully evident is the fact that there is no newness entering your life.
Being in your comfort zone isn’t only having ordinary days with repeated routines. It can be more serious than that. It can be the excuses you make up in order not to present in front of your class because it simply brings you discomfort.
It’s not starting your own dream business because you're afraid of uncertainty and the failure that may arise. It’s also choosing not to go to social gatherings because then you’d have to speak to strangers, and the thought of that is just unbearable. Overall, it is the avoidance of doing the things that subject you to discomfort. But how far is being comfortable going to get you?
A life like this tends to create an apparent problem that counteracts with what life really is all about, change. This ordinary way of living restricts vast opportunities from entering your life because you don’t expose yourself to situations that can positively challenge you. When you choose to live life on the terms of your comfort zone, you are limiting yourself from challenges that will help you grow and transition into a better and higher you. The sad truth that I personally have come to terms with is that your comfort zone holds you back from being one step closer to what you want and aspire to be in life. Doing things out of your comfort zone is easier said than done, I know that believe me. Fear and uncertainty can paralyze you, but a good thing to keep in mind is that it’s all in your head. Our mind tends to anticipate the worst of scenarios when it’s about to undergo something you’ve never done before, which is normal. The fear of the unknown is usually what holds us back from stepping out of our comfort zone and doing things we don’t usually do. Thus, our mind sees that as some
sort of danger or threat which in result makes us want to retract back into our haven where everything is predictable and ordinary.
With all that said, one thing that I want to stress in this article is the fact that stepping out of your comfort zone is as necessary as it is important. Subjecting yourself to discomfort is unpleasant but has its benefits if you’re just open minded about it. What is one thing that terrifies you the most? Let yourself think about that for a second. For me personally, it’s meeting new people. However, I’ve learned to try to actively seek to step out of my comfort zone and put myself in situations where I feel the least comfortable. Another thing that I’ve done that was out of my comfort zone was hosting my first dance class earlier this year. Let me tell you, I was terrified. But the moment I started the class and went on with my routine, the feelings of anxiety and fear that took over me disappeared. I was so proud of myself afterwards. The second time I hosted a dance class, I was not even as close to how anxious and scared I was in my first class. I felt confident in myself and became comfortable doing something that I found to be scary. So, what I’m trying to say, based on my experience, is that the only thing that’s scary about doing something out of your comfort is merely the thought of it. The thing we find scary to do is often not as frightening as our mind perceives it to be. Stepping out of your comfort zone and subjecting yourself to change is the best thing you could do to better yourself. With change comes opportunities and with opportunities follows personal growth and improvement. You get to discover parts of yourself that you didn’t know exist in you. You may also discover
new skills and interests. The more you do and achieve out of your comfort zone, the more confident you’ll feel about yourself when tackling new challenges. The mental resistance to do things slowly diminishes and it eventually becomes easier to confront situations that seem uncomfortable to you. Intentionally stepping out of your comfort zone prepares you for unexpected changes in life. It helps you adapt faster and better to new and maybe unpleasant circumstances.
So, it all takes one small step. Just go and do that one thing that you are afraid of facing the most and learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. To get a different outlook on the experiences of comfort zone, I’ve gotten the opportunity to interview Somayya Afentaous, a student here at JIBS who is a great example of why stepping out of your comfort zone gives you a sense of inner pride and fulfilment. She shares with us her experience with the comfort zone as well as her challenging experience in taking part in Jönköping’s marathon.
1. How aware are you of your comfort zone and when did you first become aware of it?
I am pretty self-aware of my comfort zone, especially when I get slightly too comfortable, that’s when I know that it is time to push myself out of the “comfort bubble”. I get aware of it when I do not feel accomplished, when stress factors are missing, and when I am less self-seeking.
2. Do you actively seek to step out of your comfort zone? If so, how? I actively seek to step out of my comfort
zone through setting new challenges for myself. I do that through finding new skills I could incorporate into my life to help achieve my goals, like learning a new language to add to my CV or find physical activities in my community to help support my health journey. It also takes one to have the right mindset to step out of the comfort zone, it takes courage and a strong will to continue with a target in mind.
3. Have you ever struggled doing something out of your comfort zone? If so, what exactly hindered you from doing so?
Failure! The closer I moved towards my fears, the more I thought I was going to be met with disappointment. I would convince myself in my head that it is not worth the struggle, only to find myself back in my comfort zone. But I have learned to overcome the fear of failure; Now when I feel fear, it’s usually an indicator that I need to do that thing I’m afraid of.
4. Would you say joining the marathon was a step out of your comfort zone? Tell me more about your experience during and after you completed it!
Yes, running the marathon was definitely the ultimate challenge for me and beyond anything I thought I could do. I, however, feel proud for believing in myself and not giving up. I realized that the race is a run with your head, not your legs. Of course, you are pushing your body to do some-
thing extreme, but with such a huge distance, the mental aspect of the marathon is really what comes in to play, especially around kilometer 20 and onwards. I felt a sincere moment of pride when I reached the finish line, I also could not feel my legs, but I guess that is how to get the best of both worlds.
5. If you could give any advice to someone who is stuck in their comfort zone and wants to break out of it, what would you tell them?
My advice is to just do it already; stepping out of my comfort zone has become the reason for every goal I reach, it is where you start seeing results, and gain personal growth. Even if you make mistakes or don’t get it right the first time, those become experiences you can use again in the future to overcome obstacles. My takeaway from running a marathon, or any other challenge in my life is that I realized I have the ability to pursue big things in life; I did it once. I can do it again.
MEET THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NIKOLAY NIKOLOV PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN
What motivates you to be a part of the JIBS Alumni Association? I truly believe in people's potential and want to do my best to help them develop. Being a part of such a diverse community helps us connect with so many members of different backgrounds and cultures, at different places in their lives and career. It opens up opportunities to make friends, discuss relevant topics, and also get useful advice. This is exactly what attracted me to the association in the first place - all the fascinating people that make up the network! We have ambitious goals at the JIBS Alumni Association and see the organization as a critical part of the JIBS experience. As JIBS Alumni, we are also representatives of our Alma Mater all around the world, so there is a sense of responsibility and a drive to help each other grow. What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni?
The JIBS Alumni Association offers opportunities to expand your network and develop yourself professionally through our workshops and seminars. We also offer a mentorship program where recent graduates can be matched with a mentor in a field of their interest, who will be able to guide them in taking the next step in their career. This initiative has already delivered marvelous results, helping recent graduates to land a much better job! There is also the joy of being able to interact with people who have shared similar experiences to you. Regardless of when you graduated, where you are from, or what you are doing now, we have all been JIBSers at some point. And once a JIBSer, always
a JIBSer! Connecting with people, sharing stories, building a community, a sense of belonging - these are all social benefits that every graduate should experience through the JIBS Alumni Association.
What is your most fond memory at JIBS?
It would have to be studying with my friends at that round table on the second floor, right when you get up the stairs to the left. We would go there after class, try and study or do reports, see all our colleagues and friends and chat with them. I remember a couple of late nights when we were there at midnight, and we saw security coming to inspect the school. Good times!
MIKAEL KLAAR ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT, FORMER PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN
What motivates you to be a part of the JIBS Alumni Association? I am a true believer that people find it important to belong to something, a sense of togetherness, to succeed in one’s career and also to growth in a personal aspect. JIBS Alumni help will help you with that. Today there is a JIBS Alumni in almost every corner of the world. Being part of the JIBS Alumni Association, you will always be close to people who will engage in the development of your career, interests and personal life. On a personal level, too see new graduates take the advantage of the alumni network to settle in a new job or a new city, it is all what this is about!
What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni? When engaging with the JIBS Alumni network, you will most likely be surprised
how easy you will find new friends or new business acquaintances. Connecting with people you share a similar experience with, makes it very easy to take the next step. You will have the ability to gain new insights and learn from people with different backgrounds and cultures. What is your most fond memory at JIBS?
I have many great memories from JIBS, hard to pick one. All the interesting discussions with new friends in the JIBS lobby or in the library café, where a lot of time has been spent. Or perhaps all the late nights at AKA or any other student night club, where you were able to meet students from other parts of Jönköping University and other parts of the world. Ten years since being a JIBS student, it still is these sustained relationships that are the most rewarding memories.
ANDREAS RUNNBERG MEMBER OF THE PRESIDIUM, MEMBER OF THE BOARD
What motivates you to be a part of the JIBS Alumni Association? I keep getting surprised and humbled by how many great people and individuals are in the network. Being part of this powerful network is a tremendous privilege and seeing people share experiences, thoughts and continuing building relationships is a great reward of being active in the network. What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni? The fellowship of other alumni around the world, our common values and experiences built during our studies has an enormous affinity effect and this recognition is very cool to observe.
What is your most fond memory at JIBS? By being part and active in your Alumni Association you strengthen your alma mater and the school’s reputation hence your
own reputation. A strong alumni network is a cornerstone in becoming a world leading school such as Harvard or SSE and the alumni association has already benefited the accreditation processes.
RACHA EL DAOUI MEMBER OF THE BOARD
What motivates you to be a part of the JIBS Alumni Association? I am part of JIBS Alumni Association because I want to stay connected to what happens at JIBS since I graduated. It is also interesting to be part of JAA because I hear from other alumni members how they have succeeded in reaching their professional development goals after their time at JIBS.
What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni? I think one of the core benefits of being a JIBS Alumni is that the JAA offers a platform for its members where they can meet, mingle and maintain an international network of successful professionals who had similar experiences at JIBS. JAA gives its members a chance to connect and support each other after their time at JIBS.
What is your most fond memory at JIBS? Most of my time at JIBS is a precious memory for me, I enjoyed my programme but also the after curriculum events. I remember, "Spring Inspiration" - the yearly fashion show arranged by JIBS, as a good memory. I was part of the core group arranging it during one of my years at JIBS, it was so rewarding to see how the preparation work came to action and how much people enjoyed it. One of my other most fond memories is also my graduation ceremony, although it was mixed with both thrilling and sad feelings, knowing an era had come to an end but that I had successfully completed my degree and was about to start a new phase
What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni?
I believe professional networking is an important asset for one’s career, either as a first jobber or as a seasoned professional. It is where opportunities are within reach. The alumni network will help with building exactly that.
What is your most fond memory at JIBS? I remember all the shared laughter my friends and I had at countless gatherings during my studies. Silly jokes are the best seasoning for our dinner, especially while we were on a trip somewhere, where there was no worrying about the exams or deadlines.
TESS BJÖRKMAN MEMBER OF THE BOARD
What motivates you to be a part of the JIBS Alumni Association? I want to facilitate the communication and connection between our alumni. Having a strong international network where you get to share knowledge and experiences is something very valuable that I want to contribute to.
What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni? Getting strong relationships with the Alumni network and being able to create, interact and establishing projects that are valuable for me and for other alumni is very rewarding.
What is your most fond memory at JIBS? My exchange to Bocconi in Milan. I’m very thankful for that opportunity and JIBS strong relationships with other universities. I got to know students from different cultures that I still are in contact with and that are very
valuable for me. Being able to maintain those relationships is another strong benefit of the JIBS Alumni Association.
MALIN WENNERGREN MEMBER OF THE BOARD
What motivates you to be a part of the JIBS Alumni Association? To continue being a part of the JIBS community and to ensure we help each other in our future adventures ahead. An opportunity to continue growing as a professional and be connected with JIBSers worldwide.
What benefits are there from engaging with other JIBS Alumni? Being able to connect with like-minded JIBSers and learn from each other, share best practices and last but not least - have fun! What is your most fond memory at JIBS?
Engaged, driven, like-minded JIBSers. The people for the win!