As part of our “Meet the Alumni” event series, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Tom Cato Karlsen, a former student of our university, Norwegian anesthesiologist, and Governor of Nordland County, who delivered a comprehensive lecture on medical career pathways and employment opportunities in Norway. His presentation concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which students were able to receive practical advice firsthand.
At the opening of the event, Dr. Tamás Hegedüs, Director of the Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs, welcomed the participants and introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Tom Cato Karlsen. He expressed his appreciation for Dr. Karlsen’s acceptance of the invitation and noted that this occasion marked the second event in the “Meet the Alumni” lecture series. In his remarks, Dr. Hegedüs highlighted the aim of the series, which is to present the diverse career pathways of Semmelweis University graduates and to provide international students with insights into potential professional opportunities based on alumni experiences in their home countries and beyond. He emphasized that such events offer valuable guidance for students as they consider their future careers. Introducing the speaker, he pointed out that Dr. Tom Cato Karlsen, now serving as Governor of Nordland County in Norway, is a graduate of Semmelweis University who later specialized in anesthesiology. He then invited Dr. Karlsen to deliver his lecture, which was divided into two main parts.
In the first part, Dr. Tom Cato Karlsen presented his professional journey from the beginning of his medical career to his current role in government, highlighting the key experiences and decisions that shaped his career. Dr. Karlsen studied medicine at Semmelweis University between 1995 and 2001. In his talk, he reflected on the development of his career and emphasized that “a long chain of coincidences, combined with determination,” led him from his university years to a multifaceted career path, including clinical practice, further education, sports management, as well as public service and political leadership. Through his story, he highlighted the importance of openness to opportunities and conscious career planning, and encouraged students to reflect on their own goals and plans, stressing that alternative paths always exist.
In the second part of his lecture, Dr. Karlsen introduced the Norwegian healthcare system and outlined the steps required to work as a physician in Norway, also emphasizing the importance of choosing a medical specialty. He further discussed the differences between public and private practice, as well as salary conditions, noting that Norway offers competitive wages and a high standard of living.
The event attracted significant interest among international students. Dr. Karlsen’s lecture provided both inspiration and practical guidance, encouraging students to remain persistent, strive for continuous development, think consciously about their future, and actively shape their professional careers.
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More event photos are available on the Semmelweis Alumni Facebook page.
The “Meet the Alumni” series provides Semmelweis students, especially those in international programmes, with a valuable opportunity to learn from the professional experiences of distinguished alumni and to gain inspiration for their own career development.
Our “Meet the Alumni” lecture series will continue in May, when Dr. Diana Reser, Switzerland’s first female professor of cardiac surgery, will be our guest and deliver a lecture on medical career pathways and job opportunities in Switzerland. Registration for the event is available on our website.