Viking Rules to Build a Successful Career

Everyone has a place in the labour market. 

Nevertheless, sometimes, specially when we face difficulties in our way, we perceive our place is hard to find. 

These guidelines are mainly aimed at recently graduated students who look for their first job. 

I have named these rules as "Viking" as they remind me of the attitude of these brave Scandinavians.

The rules include both personal and professional aspects, and short & long term actions. Naturally, these rules apply equally to men and women. 

The Viking Rules to Build a Successful Career can be summarized in 5 points:

A) Get to know yourself

B) Understand what the market needs

C) Invest continuously in training

D) Act as a Viking

E) Last, but not least, enjoy the journey.

Two strong women: Pippi Longstocking & Astrid Lindgren

A new book has been published about the famous Swedish writer, Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002), who gained worldwide recognition for her infant books and specially for creating the character of Pipi Longstocking. You can purchase it at Amazon - Astrid Lindgren: The Woman Behind Pippi Longstocking.  As Nicci Gerrard describes in the Book review, she had an eventful life. When she was 18, she was a single mother working in Stockholm far away from his son Lars. She had some difficult years. Then she became a very successfull writer and her tax bill one year was above 100% of her income.

She is a source of inspiration for Women in the fight for gender equality

Astrid comes from VImmerby, a small town in a region of Sweden called Småland, where I have spent a lot of time during my childhood. I have always enjoyed her stories and the environment she recreates in her books.

The Environment Gains Importance in the 2018 Swedish Election

The 2018 Swedish general election will take place on September 9th, but we can already say that one of the winners is the Environment.  I will provide some articles that give context in case you want to know more about what is going on in this Scandinavian country. 

The environment is at the top of the political Agenda

Let me start with the Environmental topic. Stockholm has experienced Mediterranean heat since May  (with temperatures above 30 degrees) and this heatwave has sparked growing climate concerns  among voters. The hottest summer on record has brought an historic drought and fires all over the country that required international assistance from France, Germany, Denmark, Poland and Italy. It has been a very difficult summer.

The hit on the farmers, the forests industry and the Swedish economy in general is difficult to estimate but significant. As a consequence, environment is currently at the top of the political agenda. Immigration is still the most important topic for voters, but climate is now second ahead of health care, according to a poll from Demoskop included in Hottest Summer Bumps Up Climate Fight in Swedish Election.