Coffee Interview with Nichole Allem
Background
Can you tell us about where you are from, your childhood and how it influenced your career path?
I am from the United States, specifically a state called Ohio in the Midwest of the country. It was a very cozy and trusting place at the time I lived there. We lived on a street with many children my age, which made it fun to spend most days outside running around the neighborhood until it was time to come home. Growing up, my friends and I had very big imaginations. We created our own pretend “businesses” and “jobs” based on the people we looked up to from popular culture, sports, etc. In our imaginations, we ran restaurants, worked on horse ranches (like on the popular American show called “Hey, Dude”), and were Olympic figure skaters (we wanted to be like Kristi Yamaguchi and Nancy Kerrigan). And, inspired by one of the American boy bands called New Kids On The Block, we created our own girl band called LMNDKA…our initials…very creative, right? I can still hear the song we recorded in my head!
Using my imagination was a big part of my childhood, and I loved immersing myself in someone else’s story and way of life. I think it is why I was so drawn to intercultural communications and international travel in my adult years. I believe there is always something to learn from someone else’s experiences and way of life, no matter where you are from and how you grew up. I love learning from people with backgrounds different from mine.
When and how did you come to Denmark?
My Denmark story started as a university student. Eighteen years ago I had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen through DIS: Study Abroad in Scandinavia. I loved the Danish way of education, and my experience opened my eyes to the importance of intercultural communication and being knowledgeable about issues around the world. My experience at DIS is the reason I pursued graduate studies following university, and became interested in foreign policy. I knew I always wanted to come back and work in Denmark after my time as a student.
On a personal level, I thought it would be a great cultural experience to live with a host family, and I really lucked out – the family I was placed with was a perfect match for me. I lived with a host mother, Birgit, and host sister, Denise, in Tåstrup. Denise and her friends were so wonderful, and I grew really close with a group of them. To this day we still have “Tåstrup Girls” reunions when I am in Copenhagen. I am also still close to my extended host family – grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins! I recently learned that one of my “cousins” thought I was actually a blood relative all these years, and just happened to live in America. I think that’s a really sweet way to show how connected I am to my Danish family eighteen years later.
Journey to Denmark / Career Story
Please share your professional field of expertise, role, position, professional experience & career highlight prior to coming to Denmark.
I have spent the past fourteen years at our Ministry of Foreign Affairs doing international communications and public diplomacy. I am currently a Senior Advisor in our global education division. I work on communications for our EducationUSA network, USA Study Abroad, and Fulbright Teacher exchanges. I love meeting the participants of our programs!
My professional background is in the field of Public Diplomacy, which is a multidisciplinary field rooted in international communications, media studies, international affairs, marketing, and public relations. I originally went to school to become a news anchor (or television presenter, as it’s known outside the United States). After my study abroad in Copenhagen, and the amazing lessons I learned in a course taught by two dynamic Danish women, I decided to go into intercultural communications. That is how I found myself pursuing a dual master’s degree in Public Relations and International Relations immediately following my university work in Corporate Communications.
My career highlight was working alongside the great Judith Heumann, the mother of disability rights advocacy in the United States. She recognized talent in me when I was quite junior, and recruited me to join an incredible team of colleagues who specialized in law, policy, and communications – our goal was to get the U.S. Senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities. While we were ultimately unsuccessful in that goal (anyone who follows the U.S. Congress knows how unpredictable it can be…), it was one of the best teams I have ever been part of. During the change in American presidents from Obama to Trump, Judy moved out of government and into a really exciting phase of her career – author, public speaker, podcast host, and public figure! She always checked in on me, and was such a beloved friend and former boss. When Judy died suddenly in March 2023, I took a careful look at my personal and professional career goals. She always asked me what my dreams were, and I knew I could no longer put my dreams on hold – life was too short and uncertain. One month later I started my research into how I could begin my journey back to Denmark.
What are some of the challenges as a professional in Denmark, and how do you stay motivated to face them?
I am still working on my more permanent journey to Denmark, in fact. Eighteen years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would one day return to live and work here. Life has its interesting twists and turns, and I ended up living and working in Washington for a long time. But after Judy passed away, I made the decision I would start applying to work in Copenhagen. As part of that process, I have visited Denmark five times since last year – not only to spend time with my sister, Danish host family, and friends, but also to create my network in Denmark from the ground up.
The biggest challenge is getting my foot in the door at the organizations I have applied to. I have a great network in my current industry, but it is less useful in my Danish journey. In a way, I am starting over. I love a good challenge, and I am really grateful for the people who have welcomed me into their network and introduced me to others. Their belief in me helps keep me motivated.
I also think I have a unique selling point for Danish or multinational companies whose work is impacted by the United States, because I have worked in both the Trump and Biden presidential administrations – and they are our two candidates for the 2024 presidential election. No matter who wins in November, I have unique insights into their teams, policymaking, and priorities and can apply this background to assisting my future employer. Knowing I have this unique background keeps me motivated that I will find the right fit and get to Denmark soon.
Career & Upskilling:
Can you share about your current & future career aspirations in Denmark
I am personally committed to environment and sustainability issues, global health, and human rights. I would find a lot of personal satisfaction working in an organization or company on one or more of these issues. My background lends itself nicely to work at UN City in Copenhagen, but also to companies who do business globally and believe in corporate social responsibility.
Please share some strategies/platforms/blogs you use for continuous learning and personal development to keep up with the rapidly changing industry trends for your career growth ?
I am a big fan of Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages + Duolingo for my Danish, and reading as much as I can about our field – including the explosion of Artificial Intelligence and how that plays a role in communications.
I also love watching and listening to local and international news. I may be the only person my age who still sits down in the evening to watch a national news broadcast – when I’m in Washington, and when I’m in Copenhagen! I always learn something new on the news, and it gives me ideas for additional concepts to learn or stories to follow.
What advice/strategy do you have for seeking career growth and advancement in your choice of career?
Find someone who has the job you want (or think you want), and ask them for a coffee to learn about their own journey. Most of the time, people are happy to share their stories and enjoy talking about their work and career.
Also look at future roles you would like to have, and identify skills you may be missing. This is how I have moved within the foreign ministry – I identified skills I needed to grow, such as program management and budgeting, and found roles that would give me those skills. It is important to always keep learning, and to develop new skills in your field.
Social Life and Communication:
How are you building your network and social life in Denmark?
It started with “cold calling” on LinkedIn – writing to people working in Denmark who have similar backgrounds and interests to mine, to learn more about their journey. When I am in Denmark, I invite these contacts for a coffee in person to connect further. So many people have been generous with their time, introduced me to other Americans living and working in Denmark, and to people throughout their network.
I am lucky that I have a great social life in Denmark already, thanks to my Danish friends from my time studying abroad. I continue to join events for internationals to meet more people, and I am really excited to be around for more in-person social opportunities soon.
One of my main goals outside of work (once I am settled in Denmark) is to start the first Scandinavian chapter of Batala Mundo. There are Batala bands around the world, many of them in Europe, and I think Denmark is missing out on the samba reggae rhythms and the joy Batala brings to the community. My plan is to start a chapter of the band here in Denmark, which will also be a great way to branch out socially.
Last, I have learned the joys of Winter Bathing in Denmark at all months of the year! I take a cold swim each time I’m in Denmark, and look forward to joining a winter bathing club when I am here more permanently.
How has a platform like CareerClub DK helped you in managing this transition to Denmark?
Joining CareerClub DK has been the single biggest way for me to grow my network. I believe you need to be an active member in order to see the benefits in a tangible way. When I am in Copenhagen, I prioritize meeting with the CCDK community to continue my own career growth with this great group of professional women. I know that when I land in Copenhagen full-time, I will have a great network of friends from this group!
How did you navigate the language and communication barriers in Denmark, and what advice do you have for other non-native speakers?
I work on learning the Danish language every day, and my Danish family and “kaereste” are really instrumental in encouraging me. When I am visiting my sister and her kids, my niece drills me on the pronunciation of Danish words and teaches me new words that relate to the craft or game we are playing. I like reading the news in Danish, although it takes me forever to do it! And when I’m watching television or a movie with my boyfriend, I will attempt to translate the summaries/captions into English – with his help. All of these little pieces add up to my understanding of the language, and I find fun ways to learn. If you are struggling, you should also consider working with a private instructor, such as fellow CCDK member Daniela: https://www.danielahummelgren.dk/. She is really great, compassionate, and supportive.
Final Thoughts:
Any final thoughts, life mantras or strategies you would like to share through our CareerClub platform?
“The only way out…is through” has been a mantra of mine through some periods of difficulties. Trust in yourself, your strength, and keep a close network of cheerleaders to lift you up when your spirits need a boost.
And as a fellow international recently told me, internationals in Denmark are quite lucky because we can rebrand ourselves and create a new journey. Not everyone on this earth gets that opportunity, so I am remembering to be grateful for this journey.
Interviewee Nichole Allem
CCDK Advisory Board Member & Newsletter Director
Senior Communications Advisor
Please connect and say we are both in CCDK. It is always nice to meet fellow CCDK members.
