Leadership expert Göran Carstedt's advice to students
We asked Göran Carstedt, keynote speaker at Career Day, and a leader with global experience from Volvo, IKEA, and major sustainability initiatives, for his advice to students on how to shape their own future and finding a purpose.
What advice would you give to young graduates who want to take an active role in shaping their own future?
“The future is not waiting for us — it is shaped by the choices we make every day. My advice would be: don’t focus too much on predicting trends or designing a perfect plan. Instead, stay curious, keep learning, and respond to the invitations life offers you. Meaningful paths are rarely linear. The best careers are not planned — they are grown into, step by step, by following what truly matters to you.”
How can young professionals find a sense of purpose in their first career steps?
“Purpose doesn’t appear overnight — it emerges when you connect your own talents to something larger than yourself. Ask not “What position do I want?” but rather “Where can I make a difference?” Leadership is not about climbing ladders; it’s about answering meaningful calls. When in doubt, choose meaning over prestige — and you will find both direction and joy in your work.”
What gives you hope when you look at the next generation of leaders entering the workforce?
“What gives me hope is the deep awareness and compassion I see in many young people today. They understand that the great challenges of our time — from climate to inequality — are not only technical problems, but leadership and learning challenges. I see a generation that wants to collaborate across boundaries, that dares to care. And that gives me confidence that hope and meaning will continue to go hand in hand."
Göran returns to the School for an exclusive event 4 December
Göran Carstedt is returning to the School on 4 December for a more intimate conversation with students in an interactive circle. This exclusive event is called "Conversations that Matter: A Leadership Dialogue with Göran Carstedt."