Laura Ravn Nielsen wanted to become a nurse but is now Danske Fragtmænd's new freight forwarder apprentice

Picture: Danske Fragtmænd

Since she was little, Laura has always wanted to work with people while also craving a dynamic daily routine. She was convinced that nursing was her calling in life. While planning to apply for nursing school, doubts crept in during her gap year:

"I just wanted to earn some money during my gap year and ended up with a job at the warehouse hotel in Aalborg. I'm really glad I did. After a year and a half at the warehouse hotel, I wanted to work more in the transport and logistics industry," Laura explains.

However, it took thorough consideration before Laura dared to take the leap. The transport industry was far from the busy hospital life she had imagined. At the same time, she struggled to envision herself in a sedentary office job. Nevertheless, her interest in continuing with Danske Fragtmænd persisted:

"It was a really tough decision because I had planned to become a nurse. But after my job at the warehouse hotel, I was fascinated by the entire machinery behind it. It's so much more than just trucks on the roads. It's not just moving a pallet from A to B. There are a lot of people involved. I find that extremely exciting," Laura explains.

Subsequently, Laura contacted Danske Fragtmænd's HR department, where they together mapped out a plan for her career path. This summer, she became Danske Fragtmænd's new freight forwarder apprentice. Her freight forwarding education is somewhat atypical:

"My base is in Aalborg, where I work in Terminal Services with three others. We find solutions for lost goods or damaged pallets. I have a lot of contact with employees, customer service, and customers. It's incredibly educational, and we also have a lot of fun. I've also just been to Customer Service to experience that part of Danske Fragtmænd. In addition to that, I'll be visiting Bulken in April and later the Sales Department," Laura elaborates.

Picture: Danske Fragtmænd

Throughout the education, Laura has learned a lot about herself and Danske Fragtmænd. She is no longer in doubt that she made the right choice. She has adapted well to working behind the office screen but has also been confirmed in what she would prefer to work with in the future:

"I'm still finding my place in Danske Fragtmænd. I find the human aspect in the big system very exciting. My dream is to end up as an operations manager or terminal manager to work even closer with the operations staff. But there is a long way to go, and I still have a lot to learn," Laura says.

Historically, the transport and logistics industry has been dominated by men. As a young woman, Laura also had concerns about entering a field where men outnumbered women. Fortunately, those thoughts have been proven wrong, and Laura hopes that her story can help attract more women to the transport industry:

"It has never really been a problem that I am a woman. The only ones who might have been a little challenged were our drivers. I could feel that they spoke a bit more politely to me than my male colleagues. Otherwise, there haven't been any issues. So I definitely think that more women should enter the profession. I also believe it will lead to a positive development in the industry," Laura concludes with a smile.