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

I have always had a great interest in finance and have long wanted to understand how banks work. Swedbank's trainee program felt like a perfect opportunity to deepen my understanding and develop my analytical skills, and the program offered the chance to rotate between different departments, which felt valuable to get an overall picture of the bank. It also felt great to have the opportunity to take the program together with other trainees.  

Can tell us a little about what you got to do during the program?

During the program, I worked on various projects and was responsible for tasks related to analysis and reporting. I got to use programs and tools such as SQL, Excel and Python for data management and modeling. The tasks gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in different areas and understand how the bank works in practice. I also had the chance to learn directly from senior colleagues, who shared valuable insights into the bank's various functions.

How did the program work?

The program was well-structured with a clear schedule for rotation between the departments. The rotations worked smoothly, with each of us spending two months in each group and being assigned individual tasks.  There were also after-works and meetings with the management, which gave me the opportunity to network and understand more about the bank's overall goals and culture.

What was the most memorable or fun thing you experienced during the program? Was there anything that surprised you?

The most fun part was getting to try out different areas of work, which really gave me motivation and understanding of how the different departments are connected. Something that surprised me was the open and supportive culture at the bank – everyone was really helpful and available when I needed support or had questions. In addition, I appreciated the opportunity to get to know people from different departments and of course the other trainees, which created a fun and engaging environment throughout the program.

What are you looking forward to in your future time at the bank?

After gaining experience in different units, I realised that I was more interested in software development than data analysis. I therefore contacted my manager, who encouraged me to look for other opportunities within the bank. At the time of writing, I am working as a backend developer at Swedbank, which feels like a better match for my interests and technical skills. I see my situation as a good example of the purpose of the trainee program – to test different parts of the business and feel what suits me best before I start a long-term career in the right direction.

Do you have any advice for future trainees?

The program offers many opportunities, and you can really shape your own program experience by taking your own initiative. If there is something specific you want to explore, do not hesitate to contact your manager, and ask about opportunities to participate in projects or meetings. You also don't have to be afraid of not knowing all the bank's functions. You don't need to worry about not knowing all the bank's operations right away. The program gives you the chance to learn as you go.