For many internationals in Denmark, the career journey doesn’t follow a straight line. You arrive with experience, ambition and a clear sense of direction — but somewhere along the way, things begin to shift. The job market can seem opaque, networks are difficult to access, and roles don’t always reflect the level of responsibility or creativity you know you’re capable of. It’s a quiet but common experience: the sense that things aren’t quite clicking — and over time, it can start to chip away at your confidence, even if you have a wealth of experience in your field.
It’s something I’ve found myself reflecting on. Entrepreneurship was an idea I had in the back of my mind — an avenue to explore “one day.” But navigating the job market in Denmark has brought that possibility into sharper focus. When traditional routes felt less straightforward, I began to rethink what was realistically possible and whether the “right” time is actually now. The old saying holds true here: necessity really can be the mother of invention.
That’s where conversations like this one feel particularly timely. In speaking with Valeria Kadelski, founder of Spark Coaching with Val, it became clear that this moment of uncertainty — of feeling stuck — is not a dead end, but often the beginning of a new path.
“My career started in the tech industry, where I worked for several years across sales, marketing, customer success, and operations. It was fast-paced, and I learned a tremendous amount about how businesses grow and how products reach markets,” Val shares, “I realized the part I enjoyed most was helping people think through their ideas, build something meaningful, and gain clarity on their next step. At the same time, I was reflecting on work and purpose. Like many professionals, I had followed a path that looked successful from the outside, but I began to question whether it truly aligned with who I was and the life I wanted to create. That reflection eventually led me to train as a coach and start my own business.”
Originally from Italy and now based in Copenhagen for over a decade, Val’s work is deeply shaped by her own experience of living and working abroad. It’s not just about career transitions in the traditional sense, but about navigating identity, expectations and the realities of creating a life in a new country.
“In many ways, it happened naturally because I am one myself,” Val reflects on working with internationals, “Living internationally expands your horizons, but it also brings unique professional challenges. Many talented internationals end up in roles that don’t fully use their skills or struggle to navigate unfamiliar job markets. It became clear that many people had the ideas and expertise to build something of their own — they just didn’t see themselves as entrepreneurs.”
That last point is especially relevant. For many people moving to Denmark, entrepreneurship isn’t the first instinct — rather what people tend to consider later, after other options have been explored. But increasingly, it’s becoming not just an alternative, but a more realistic and accessible direction forward.
Rethinking what career success looks like abroad
Creating a life abroad has a way of reshaping your understanding of success. The markers you once relied on — titles, progression, stability — begin to look different when placed in a new context. What once felt like a clear path can suddenly feel less defined.
“Living abroad teaches you adaptability very quickly. You become aware of how culture shapes everything: communication, risk tolerance, career expectations and even how people define success. Personally, it forced me to rethink many assumptions about career paths and stability. Also, more and more these days, the traditional ‘ladder’ does not necessarily align with the best idea of success, which can be unsettling but also incredibly freeing.” For many internationals in Denmark, the challenge isn’t a lack of ability — it’s how that ability is positioned within the local system they are learning to navigate in real-time.
“One of the biggest challenges is that many internationals underestimate their own potential. They arrive with impressive experience but often feel they need to ‘fit’ into the local job market rather than exploring alternative ways of creating value, or treating their internationality as a competitive advantage.”
There are also structural realities to contend with. Denmark’s job market places a strong emphasis on networks and informal connections — something that can take time to build, particularly for newcomers. But perhaps the most significant barrier is internal. Val reflects: “There is often a psychological barrier around entrepreneurship. Many professionals have never considered starting their own business, even when they have the skills, knowledge and network to do so.”
Moving from overthinking to action
One of the most striking themes in Val’s work is the shift from overthinking to action. It’s a pattern that will feel familiar to many — the idea that you need to have everything figured out before you begin. “The first shift is moving from fear of making the wrong decision to curiosity about possibilities,” she says. “Many people believe they need to find the one perfect next step, so they stay still. In reality, answers come to you when you start experimenting and learning.”
Instead of trying to map out every detail in advance, her approach focuses on momentum — taking small steps that create clarity over time. “The second shift is to make it easy for yourself to start. Instead of trying to design an entire business in theory, or plan an entire transition from start to finish, we focus on small steps that can validate ideas quickly.” This philosophy is central to her SPARK™ Method — a framework designed to help people move from ideas to something tangible, in a structured and practical way.
“Many aspiring entrepreneurs spend years overthinking their business ideas. They want to be sure the idea is perfect before they start, which often leads to paralysis. The goal is not to wait for the perfect idea, but to build clarity through action.”
Photo credit: Kristel Läänesaar
A different way forward
For those considering entrepreneurship, the idea can be both exciting and overwhelming — particularly when layered with the realities of living abroad. Questions around stability, income and long-term security are never far away.
But the broader context is changing.
“The job market today is not what it was even only 5 years ago. The rules are different: AI rising, old roles being eliminated and new ones created, the whole work construct as we know it is being reshaped. So we need to challenge the belief of what career stability or success really mean.”
What emerges instead is a more flexible, evolving definition of work — one that allows for experimentation and growth over time. “Entrepreneurship can be successful without being inaccessible,” Val assures, “It can start with a small idea, a service or expertise that solves a real problem.” And often, that shift doesn’t begin with a dramatic leap, but with a small step. “One client came to me with the feeling that she had ‘too many ideas’ and didn’t know which one to pursue. What made the transformation possible was a shift from overthinking to action.”
Starting where you are
If there’s one message that resonates throughout the conversation, it’s that feeling stuck is not something to avoid — it’s something to pay attention to. Val suggests a reframing: instead of seeing that as a problem, it can be an invitation to explore new possibilities. And importantly, that exploration doesn’t require a complete reinvention overnight. “You don’t need to quit your job, you don’t need to get another education or reinvent your life. Many successful transitions start as small experiments alongside existing work.” What matters most is momentum — the willingness to begin, even without certainty.
Photo credit: Giulia Scialino
Where to learn more
For those ready to explore what that next step might look like, Val offers coaching, programs and resources designed specifically for internationals navigating career transitions. You can learn more by visiting Val’s website sparkcoachingwithval.com. She’s also very active on LinkedIn where people are always welcome to connect and send a DM. And remember: for many people building careers in Denmark, the biggest challenge isn’t a lack of opportunity — it’s knowing how to navigate it. Sometimes, the answer isn’t about finding the right role — but about creating something of your own, on your terms.
