Lynn Bergholm
Lynn has lived in five countries, speaks four languages, and is one proud IE University Alumni. She has leveraged her entrepreneurial mindset and language abilities in her position at Google in which she supports over 100 Nordic businesses across different industry verticals to help bring their marketing objectives to life.
"Studying at IE gave me the confidence to apply to some of the world’s most innovative companies."
Q&A WITH LYNN
Tell us about the IEU alumni in Dublin and the impact they have had in your life and/or career:
I feel very lucky that from my graduating class, five of us moved to Dublin to start our working lives after graduation. Since the beginning, we have actively mixed our networks to connect with people from companies outside of our own. This diversity has been very enriching.
How did you land your current position at Google?
Since my first days at IE, I was empowered by the encouraging professors and the positive, entrepreneurial university spirit that made each of us believe that the sky is the limit. Studying at IE gave me the confidence to apply to some of the world’s most innovative companies for three reasons. First, I received a high-quality education adapted to today’s world of work. Second, I was boosted by IE’s entrepreneurial culture that made me take the initiative and be a self-starter, whether imagining a business idea for the Start-Up Lab or leading a student-organized project. Third, IE’s prestige and international reputation as a leading business school made it a great “passport” that I could rely on to open doors to many opportunities all around the world.
How did your experience at IEU prepare you for your professional career?
The unique, practical, and digitally advanced educational approach at IE definitely prepared me for my working life. The highly participative lessons, regular group work, and frequent presentations encouraged us to develop our own ideas, work as team players, and communicate effectively. Moreover, our comfort working with digital tools has proven to be a huge asset and complement to modern work.
Aside from these strong business foundations, extracurricular experiences at IE were equally invaluable. In November 2017, my great friend Axelle Daelemans and I were inspired to lead a team of students to organize The IE Start-Up Fashion Show. The event featured a runway show followed by pop-up stands and tapas, and over 250 students joined us on campus – on a Saturday! This experience definitely stands out as a highlight of my time at IE – it taught me team leadership, event organization, and client management skills.
What skills do you need to succeed in business development and strategy?
To work in business development and strategy, you must be a proactive self-starter, independent to assume your individual work responsibility, but also collaborative in maintaining important relationships with your team and clients.
What is the competitive advantage that studying at IEU provides or has provided you?
The greatest lesson that IE University taught me is that entrepreneurship is a mindset. It’s a way of thinking that stretches far beyond the act of establishing a company. Being an entrepreneur is not defined by where you work, but by how you think – it’s about seeking the right opportunities for yourself at any given time. I’m very grateful for the entrepreneurial spirit that IE University ignited in me. This unique mindset continues to serve me at Google where the only constants are change and innovation.
Why do you think it’s important for you to engage with the IEU alumni community?
Studying at IE shaped me personally and professionally, and for that, IE will always have a special place in my heart! I love to continue engaging with IE after graduation because it brings me a lot of joy. Interactions with current students and fellow alumni from all around the world, virtually or in person, are always so interesting and inspiring. They remind me how fantastic the IE community is, and that it is something we are lucky to be a part of!