According to India Today’s report on National Engineering Day, only 10% of the 1.5 million students that graduated in 2024 were expected to land employment. More than half the students that graduate turn out to be entirely underprepared from a skill-set standpoint - all this after grinding it out at an institute that probably isn’t up to par in any given metric, be it pedagogy or overall environment. The major takeaway from this isn’t supposed to be more anxiety, it is to open your mind to new possibilities, and looking at different pathways to not only foster yourself on an academic level, but at a personal level as well.

So what if we said that there’s an engineering program somewhere that isn’t just the second happiest country in the world, but is also home to some of the absolute best engineering institutes in the world? What if we said that hey, not only will you inherit a top-class education and skill-set, but the institute will also GUARANTEE that you land your first job?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering “Wow, this sounds too good to be true”. It probably is, but make no mistake about it - there’s no sense of ambiguity or waffling when it comes to SDU’s (University of Southern Denmark) First Job Guarantee scheme! It’s as simple as it gets - if you’re an engineering student at SDU Sonderberg, which is amongst the best engineering universities in Denmark, you are guaranteed at least six months employment. This first job guarantee scheme is a joint initiative on the part of the university and local companies to help students make the transitional leap from academia to professional life. Pretty sweet of them, isn’t it?

Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? First, let’s talk about the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements For First Job Guarantee Scheme

1️⃣ Collaborate with Danish Companies

Engage in internships, collaborative projects, or their final thesis with a local business.

2️⃣ Complete Their Degree On Time

Graduate within the standard duration of the program without delays.

3️⃣ Achieve B1-Level Danish Proficiency

Demonstrate proficiency equivalent to B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

4️⃣ Participate in Career Activities

Attend career-related events and initiatives organised by the university.

Sounds good? We’d say all the requirements make sense, and emphasise on one particular quality that’s heavily underplayed in Indian engineering settings - the power of networking. If you aren’t able to engage with industry players through internships and other collaborations while you study, what’s the point? From Day 1 to Day 1200, you’d have only learnt concepts that you vaguely remember but have no clue as to applying in a practical context. 

Anyway, you’d be right to wonder why they are being so nice? Well, the reasons extend beyond them being the second happiest country in the world so let’s dive right into them.

Benefits Of First Job Guarantee Scheme

1️⃣ Job Security

First and foremost, let’s get this one out of the way. Having a degree of job security is paramount and plays a big part in one’s decision as to joining an institute. To some extent, education is an investment in yourself but it’s an investment nonetheless, so it’s only natural that one cares for a return. In this regard, the First Job Guarantee Scheme is amazing cause you will get six months to make a good impression and then take it from there! If it doesn’t quite translate to a more extended form of employment, however, you can still take that invaluable experience of working in a native Danish firm anywhere and have a headstart on many candidates.

2️⃣ Acquiring Experience Working With Energy-Efficient Technology Companies

We all know that sustainability is the need of the hour. Energy–efficient technologies are in very high demand, so high that most companies in Denmark actually have a shortage of engineers in this sector. Imagine picking up experience at such a firm - you basically have one hand on one of the more in-demand skill-sets of today and tomorrow. This doesn’t just apply to Denmark, or Europe specifically - you become part of a major industry movement that’ll be relevant globally!

Conclusion

So there’s that - not all is doom and gloom in the world of engineering. There’s a whole wide world out there for you to explore, and most particularly in Europe, you’d find opportunities galore as long as you know what you want and you’re committed to your goals. If this article roused some curiosity in you, please feel free to reach out to our seasoned study abroad consultants at EduGo Abroad! We’ve been at the forefront of bringing the best of European Education to Indian students over 15 years, and specifically with regards to Denmark, have the expertise and robust partnerships to provide you the guidance you need, from suitability to admissions to Denmark Student Visa requirements and processing!