Building valuable networks for the future careers – unique experiences in Nordea Graduate Programme

Rasmus Pazdecki

My name is Rasmus Pazdecki, and I graduated from Aarhus University’s faculty BSS with a master's degree in international economic consulting in the summer of 2023. I began my career at Nordea during my bachelor’s studies and I’ve been with the company for nearly six years. I am driven by a passion for knowledge and personal growth. It’s a running joke in my family that I always have a personal development book and some niche gadget for a newly acquired hobby on my wish list. Therefore, pursuing a graduate degree was a natural step in my career journey.

My Nordea graduate journey

My experience in Nordea Graduate Programme has been uniquely enriching, as I’ve been part of a satellite unit rather than being based at the headquarters. This distinctive positioning has allowed me to gain a different perspective on the organisation, while still benefiting from the comprehensive learning opportunities and support structures that the programme offers. Despite not participating in the typical rotations to various teams, I have been actively involved in the programme’s educational initiatives and networking events. One highlight was the opportunity to attend a graduate summit at the Helsinki headquarters, which provided valuable insights and connections. Being located in Aarhus, Denmark, I have been able to build a robust network across the Nordics, with peers distributed throughout the organisation.

The graduate programme has equipped me with several key attributes that have significantly contributed to my professional growth. I have developed a broad network, fostered a sense of camaraderie within the graduate team despite my satellite location, and engaged in high-quality learning activities led by top-tier educators. Additionally, the programme has offered substantial support for both my personal and professional development.

Overall, the graduate programme has been an excellent way to start my career. Nordea’s investment in my learning and development, rather than an immediate focus on revenue generation, has been instrumental in shaping my skills and preparing me for future challenges. This approach has not only enhanced my capabilities but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of continuous learning and professional growth.

Andreas Mosgaard Jørgensen

I’m Andreas Mosgaard Jørgensen, and I hold a master’s degree in computational particle physics from the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. When I am not crunching numbers at Nordea, I love to play padel!

My journey at Nordea 

In the summer of 2022, a year before I started as a graduate, I spent my entire summer holiday on the trading floor as a summer intern in Systematic Market Making/FX & Liquidity Trading. Here I got the chance to apply my theoretical background to real-world problems and test out my own ideas. On the last day of my internship, I was fortunate to be offered a part-time position as a student analyst in Trading Strategy. This experience broadened my view on that we do at Nordea and prepared me to help my future co-graduates get up to speed with internal systems and ways of working.

While finishing my master’s degree, I applied for the graduate programme and was offered my current position in Model Monitoring & Performance, which is part of Risk Models. In my first year of the graduate programme, I worked on monitoring the performance of our different models using programming and statistical analysis and then presenting the results to senior management. After a year, I took on a seven-month rotation with AI Hub, a team of brilliant people driving the AI agenda at Nordea. They stay on top of the latest technological advancements and implement solutions to harness AI’s potential. It was an incredibly exciting experience, and looking back, it’s fascinating to see how much AI evolved in just seven months.

The graduate experience

Apart from all the valuable insights I have gained during my time in Nordea, I have had the opportunity to attend various graduate events. I have learned so much at these events and I have enjoyed the excellent external speakers we have had the pleasure to hear. I come from a non-financial background, so for me this has been particularly valuable. However, the most impactful takeaway from the Nordea Graduate Programme is undoubtedly the network I have built. Today, I can reach out to any of the 80+ graduates across the bank to exchange ideas and insights whenever needed. I’m sure this will come in handy, and I will gladly return the favour. 

All good things come to an end, and for me, the graduate programme officially concludes on 28 February. On Monday, I will return to my home team, Model Monitoring & Performance, as a Quantitative Risk Analyst. Well-prepared and ready for the next chapter of my journey thanks to a great graduate programme!