Mette Gross Søgaard is a Software Developer at Danske Commodities
Where did you graduate from and with which degree?
I graduated from Aarhus University in 2015 with a Master’s degree in Physics.
Please give a description of the work you do in your current position.
I have different roles in my current position. I am a developer which means that I do code, code reviews, deployments, bug fixes, etc. I also have the role of Team Lead which is more fluffy and means that I enable people. I help my team by removing impediments and try to figure out solutions to processes that are either frustrating or maybe need a few adjustments to bring the most value. Lastly, I also have the role of Scrum Master which overlaps with the Team Lead role a lot since the purpose is also to make sure the rest of the team can do what they do best and use their skills in the most optimal way. In my current position, I am happy if my team is thriving, having fun and delivering value to the business.
What motivated you to study physics or engineering in the first place?
My personal interest. I really like the logical way of thinking and trying to explain how things work, like a door lock or why the shower curtain moves towards you. I find peace in knowing the explanation of a phenomenon.
What made you decide to pursue a career in the private sector?
Nothing really. I applied for jobs in both the private and public sector and I just went with the first job offer I got. It could just as easily have been in the public sector.
How do you use the skills you learned as a physicist or engineer in your work?
Mostly, I use my way of thinking and my way of solving problems. Code is very logical so it is not that different from physics. I have learned to look at a problem from different perspectives and that is highly applicable when solving a code issue. When dealing with a bug you need to figure out what is the root cause and, hence, trace it and try to eliminate possibilities – trying to find the explanation of the bug. Basically, I use my logical and structured way of thinking.
What does being a physicist or engineer mean to you?
I take pride in being a physicist. I know my education might not be spot on for my title but I bring a different skill set and I am proud of that. I am by far not the only physicist in Danske Commodities and you feel a connection to the others which I enjoy.
What advice would you give to young people (in particular women and minorities) with a background in physics or engineering who would like to pursue a career in the private sector?
I do not think I have anything in regard to the private sector since I do not know what would be different compared to the public sector. However, I advise you to follow your interests and treat the skills listed in job postings as a wish list and not as requirements. Your educational background might not be the perfect fit, but that just means that you can bring something new and different to the table.
kvinderifysik.dk 