Stockholm’s Best-Kept Secret: Top 7 Career-Boosting Skills You Need to Succeed in Any Field

Stockholm isn’t just a great place to study because of the beautiful surroundings, the kind people, or the abundance of cinnamon buns; it’s also a city that is uniquely posed to be a launching pad for your career development – no matter what field you are in. With its history as a hub for innovation and a continuously thriving entrepreneurial scene, Stockholm has a way of bringing out the enterprising self within everyone – and if you’re a student here, the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES) can teach you how to awaken that entrepreneurial spirit.

If that doesn’t sound super tempting to you, don’t worry – it doesn’t mean that you’ll wake up one day as a Silicon Valley corporate loyalist with a 400€ haircut and a penchant for using words like ‘synergy’ in casual conversation. What it does mean, especially if you take advantage of the courses and opportunities offered by SSES, is that you’ll start picking up the kind of entrepreneurial skills that can help you in whatever career you’re passionate about. While, yes, the word ‘entrepreneur’ has a bit of an image problem, there’s no need to be one in order to benefit from the skills that come with it.

Here are 7 examples of entrepreneurial skills that anyone can benefit from, and why:

1. Negotiation (a.k.a. Getting What You Want Without the Drama)

Whether you’re negotiating a business contract, landing a new job offer, or simply coordinating with your team on a tight deadline, negotiation is a key skill. In any field – from law to marketing to education – knowing how to advocate for yourself and find solutions that work for all parties is essential. This skill gives you the confidence to lead discussions and create meaningful outcomes.
Psst! SSES’s course on negotiation can teach you the essentials.

2. Storytelling (a.k.a. Making Even the Boring Stuff Sound Interesting)

Every career involves explaining complex ideas in a way that captures attention and drives action. Storytelling is just as important when pitching an innovative product, presenting research findings, or even advocating for change in policy. The ability to communicate your vision and engage your audience is key to inspiring others and moving projects forward.

3. Resource Attraction (a.k.a. Knowing How to Get What You Need)

Whether you’re securing investment for a startup or simply gathering the tools and connections to execute a successful project, resource attraction is crucial. It’s the skill of knowing where to look for opportunities, funding, and collaborations, and understanding how to make the best use of the resources around you – be it in finance, creative industries, or even healthcare.
Curious about how to attract funding for your ideas? Check out SSES’s course in financing

4. Self-Leadership (a.k.a. Being the Boss of Your Own Life)

Self-leadership is about setting personal goals, staying disciplined, and pushing your own boundaries. Whether you’re navigating a demanding career in healthcare, launching your own business, or pursuing a creative passion, the ability to manage your time, stay focused, and adapt to challenges is essential for long-term success in any field.

5. Co-Creation (a.k.a. Teamwork That Doesn’t Make You Roll Your Eyes)

In today’s world, teamwork is key, but co-creation takes it a step further by integrating diverse skills and perspectives to create something unique. Whether you’re working in tech, education, or the arts, co-creation allows you to harness the collective expertise of a team to achieve innovative and high-impact outcomes. It’s about creating something greater together than you could on your own.

6. Trendspotting (a.k.a. Spotting the Next Big Thing Before It’s Cool)

Want to be the person who knows what’s coming before everyone else does? That’s trendspotting. Whether it’s predicting the next tech craze or realising when your favourite band will blow up, spotting what’s next before it goes mainstream can position you as a forward-thinking leader, helping you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world.
Want to stay ahead of the curve? SSES has a course on trendspotting and future-thinking

7. Managing Uncertainty (a.k.a. Staying Cool When Everything’s Up in the Air)

Life is full of surprises, and the ability to navigate those surprises is critical in any field and situation. Managing uncertainty is about keeping calm when things don’t go as planned, whether it’s a project at work or your vacation going off the rails. Think of it as your internal “chill button” when life gets unpredictable.

Now, for the best part: if you’re a student or alumni from SU, KTH, SSE, KMH, KI, or Konstfack, you have access to all the courses and programmes at the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship – completely for free. If you want to add any of the skills mentioned above, or more, to your repertoire, this hidden gem in Stockholm’s academic and entrepreneurial ecosystem can provide you with courses, workshops, and real-world projects that teach you how to apply entrepreneurial skills to whatever field you’re in – whether you’re aiming to lead in tech, design, medicine, or anything in between. Visit SSES’s website to take advantage of Stockholm’s best-kept secret.