Alumnus’s Business Foundation at Work at Big 4 firm in Norway

Caldwell, N.J., August 5, 2019- Most people in Drammen, Norway, have never heard of Caldwell, New Jersey. And vice versa. But at the Ernst & Young offices in this port and river city in eastern Norway, a young professional carries with him the foundation he was given in the business classes at Caldwell University. Alumnus Ole-Anders Wendelborg ’18 has been an auditor at the big four accounting firm for the past year.

Leveraging his undergraduate degree in business and his MBA, he has worked closely with partners at E&Y locations in Norway, helped managers with clients overseas and locally, provided translation and assisted co-workers with information on international laws and regulations. “I cannot thank the Business School at Caldwell enough. Being the only new employee with an international degree gave me certain advantages,” said Wendelborg. “I came into work well prepared, organized and excited to start.”

Wendelborg credits Caldwell Professor Alvin Neiman’s accounting classes for sparking his interest in accounting and auditing as a career path. In Professor Virginia Rich’s courses, he learned “business lingo” and “how to approach clients and co-workers in a professional manner.” Professor Bernie O’Rourke’s integrated strategic management seminar gave him hands-on experience to learn the ways businesses operate and develop during changing times and trends. The small classes, led by professors who “push you further academically,” said Wendelborg, encouraged and supported participation from students.

A native of Drammen, Wendelborg transferred to Caldwell in his sophomore year and played on the men’s soccer team for three years. He was happy that there were direct flights from Newark to Oslo, which is 40 minutes from Drammen. That made visits from family and friends doable, and he was able to get home a few times a year.

As an international student, Wendelborg felt welcomed by the campus community, and he cherishes the friends he made at Caldwell. “We’re all like a big family. I still stay in touch with several of my old teammates and roommates. We meet up regularly, and I’ve already planned several trips for the coming fall.” He would like his fellow Caldwell alums to experience Norway’s unique landscapes, cuisine, attractions and culture. “You can, in the span of 15 minutes, go from a fairly large modern city like Oslo to the wilderness. I enjoy skiing and we offer some of the best slopes around.”

Wendelborg plans to keep growing professionally in Ernst and Young, and perhaps “one day I’ll be able to work in the United States for some time,” he said.

As an alum, he knows that the journey he made halfway around the world for his education is already proving to be a foundation for professional success. “I have landed a great job, which has opened several doors for the future.”