Six months in Silicon Valley as intern in Energy & Environment
Meet Joakim and learn more about his exciting development journey, exploring Silicon Valley's unique sustainability ecosystem and ways to bridge new, green solutions between Denmark and California.
energy & environment Internship
Discover Joakim Cato Johannesen's journey as an Energy & Environment Associate at the Consulate General of Denmark in Silicon Valley. Joakim pursues his Master's Degree in International Business at Aalborg University Business School, Aalborg.
Why did you pursue an internship at the Denmark in Silicon Valley mission?
Studying International Business, I have a distinct interest in cross-country commercial activities, and I saw this internship as a unique opportunity to experience the fast-paced, innovative ecosystem of Silicon Valley first hand.
What's been your most significant professional learnings gained from being here?
Organizing and executing stakeholder events. The mission puts a broad emphasis on engaging the interns, paving the way for not only being an integral part of organizing commercial and governmental activities, but to also partake in the execution of said activities.
I, for one, participated in The Danish Trade Council in Silicon Valley’s yearly Fact-Finding Tour, bringing a group of US executives to Denmark, showcasing Danish innovative solutions and perspectives. The tour included visits to for example Grundfos, Arla, and Royal Unibrew. As a whole, the tour gave me a unique opportunity to partake in a Delegation I actively helped organizing, enabling me to not only engage with the US stakeholders, but also with Danish executives from some of Denmark’s leading innovative companies.
How has your internship experience in Silicon Valley influenced your future career goals?
The internship has enabled me to not only experience an international work environment first hand within the world’s leading innovation hub, but to also gain new perspectives on international business as a whole. Together, these aspects have given me distinctive insights that I expect to be able to leverage in my future career, and further fuelled my motivation for working abroad.
How would you describe your personal growth during your internship in Silicon Valley?
During my internship at the Denmark in Silicon Valley mission, I experienced significant personal growth. Pursuing this opportunity aligned with my interest in cross-country commercial activities, complementing my International Business studies. Immersed in Silicon Valley's dynamic ecosystem, I learned to organize and execute stakeholder events, playing a vital role in activities such as The Danish Trade Council's Fact-Finding Tour. This involvement allowed direct engagement with US and Danish executives, providing unique insights into international business. The experience greatly influenced my career goals, igniting a stronger desire to work internationally and leveraging the perspectives gained for my future career.
How has it been living in and experiencing California?
While the work at the mission offers unique experiences, living in California has been an equally great opportunity. Residing in San Francisco, I have had numerous cultural experiences that differ significantly from the life you know in Denmark. Furthermore, the vibrantcity offers numerous activities, ranging from beautiful nature and hikes to an energetic and dynamic nightlife.
Additionally, the geographical position of California enables you to travel to breath-taking destinations around the US. During my 6 months, I have been able to see mesmerizing nature in a number of national parks such as Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Zion, while also visiting place’s I’ve always wanted to experience myself, in particular Las Vegas and Hawaii.
Collectively, the professional and personal experiences I’ve had during these 6 months have resulted in a memory of a lifetime that I greatly appreciate.