As head of Codit Luxembourg, part of Proximus Group (which also includes Telindus and Tango), Gram has a role with multiple responsibilities, from strategy to HR and finance, and helps customers on their digital transformation journeys. Photo: Romain Gamba

As head of Codit Luxembourg, part of Proximus Group (which also includes Telindus and Tango), Gram has a role with multiple responsibilities, from strategy to HR and finance, and helps customers on their digital transformation journeys. Photo: Romain Gamba

Head of Codit Luxembourg, part of Proximus Group, Eva Gram shares her tips on building a successful career in the grand duchy and how the professional scene has changed over the past 20 years.

Natalie A. Gerhardstein: You’ve been on Luxembourg’s IT scene since 2003 and have had a successful career. What advice would you give to those wanting to build a career in the grand duchy?

Eva Gram: Not to be afraid. There are so many different things you can work with, depending on your interests and background, but I think as a young [professional], when you come in early in a career like I did, you really want to focus on a certain topic because you have an education in that, a degree, etc. Don’t be afraid of jumping onto what’s interesting to you. I wouldn’t say that I wouldn’t have done something different, but there are so many opportunities, especially here, and international opportunities… Take opportunities, jump on and contribute because this country has the advantage of supporting foreign people [and is] also dependent on them and wanting to develop with them. There are a lot of new initiatives all the time from the government. No matter where you work, you will find a path. It’s important to start and to take on opportunities immediately.

We’ve heard about the shortage of women in certain tech areas. Have you seen a shift in this over the span of your career?

In the 20 years I’ve been working here, it has changed. I have many young women colleagues, which was not the case at all 15-20 years ago. In IT, the technology delivery itself, there are indeed many more women than before, which is great. I also think there has been a lot from the government and companies to facilitate, in general, how women can work. There’s a big difference today [with topics like] parental leave, how you can put your kids in the crèche, etc., so that’s really positive. 

Before Luxembourg, you’d worked in Sweden and briefly in Chile. What are your tips for integration, generally speaking?

Language is a big thing. Travelling here from Sweden, compared to travelling to the US or to Australia, it’s much more of a challenge to learn the languages… I have many friends who haven’t learnt the languages, and the more time that passes, of course, the more they’ll have difficulties doing that. I was actually forced to learn French, otherwise I wouldn’t have got my first job… It’s easy to stay in your bubble--it’s allowed, you’re still respected, you’re still integrated, in a way. But the longer [they] stay, the more those people will feel that they are still excluded from certain things. Learn the languages, take an interest in the culture and things happening in the country.

You’re also quite involved in networking…

Yes, it’s very important… Of course, if you go with a professional purpose and need to talk in Luxembourgish or French, you do need to make more of an effort… I was, after a while, a member in the Swedish community, and that has helped me to keep my Swedish traditions and language… If you start looking in your surroundings, you can really find great talent around you that can help in networking.

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