What made you apply and choose Swedbank's trainee programme?

I studied Industrial Engineering and Management and knew that I wanted to work in the finance industry. But it was difficult to know what kind of job I was interested in because I had no previous experience. That's why I thought a trainee program sounded interesting because then I would get to try out different roles and departments and see what suited me. I chose Swedbank because it is one of Sweden's largest banks and thus an important part of the financial system that I hoped to learn more about.

What did you get to work with during the trainee program's 10 months?

I visited four departments in total. At Group Treasury, I got to work with capital issues covering everything from new regulations to currency effects and exposures to commercial properties. I continued at Group Risk in credit risk by developing models to estimate the probability of default, among other things. At Group Steering, I learned more about how customer systems work and helped develop the cost allocation. Finally, I visited CAD Analysis & Advice where I analysed the new capital adequacy framework under Basel and its impact, both on an overall level and specifically for Swedbank on an exposure level.

What was the best thing about the program, and was there anything that surprised you?

The best thing about the program was partly to work with such varied tasks and learn so much about how different parts of the bank work. But also to start the program as a group, where we all were newly graduated and many of us relocated for the position, which created a community. There have been many after-works and lunches over the years with the trainee group, and we are still good friends. What surprises me today is that I continue to benefit from having been a trainee, even though it was many years ago. It has given me a broad network of contacts and a greater understanding of the bank as a whole.

What is your best advice for our future trainees?

Be curious! Dare to ask all the questions that come up, and take the opportunity to get to know colleagues and different parts of the bank.