Meet our ESG interns – hear about their learnings, and see what makes it “highly rewarding”

Caesar Afzelius 

First-year student in the Bachelor program in Mathematics with supplementary Economics & Philosophy at the University of St. Andrews

What’s the internship like?

My internship has been both highly engaging and stimulating, analytically and personally. Coming from a more analytical background, I found the analytical aspect of the work both insightful and enjoyable. Each day brought its own set of challenges, and—perhaps unlike many other workplaces—as an intern, I was often given a high degree of personal responsibility in solving them. A key takeaway is that these challenges are often of a kind rarely encountered in academic settings, offering a hands-on understanding of what reality looks like beyond the classroom.

Learnings and gains

On a more personal level, getting to know and learning to collaborate with my fellow ESG interns—as well as supervisors and others at the bank—has been incredibly rewarding. It has helped me understand different perspectives while also allowing me to connect with fun and interesting people. 

During the summer, I even had the opportunity to work outside my original LC&I ESG Insights team, joining the ESG unit within Equity Research for a short period. This experience not only provided valuable insights into their work but also exposed me to new ways of problem-solving.

Highlights and key take-aways

After my time here comes to an end, I think the fun and interesting people will have made the biggest impression. From solving complicated cases, to discussing fun topics over lunch and going on after-works together, I can truly say I’ve enjoyed my time at Nordea.

Alva Brunlid

Second-year student in the Bachelor program in Industrial Engineering and Management at Lund University

What’s the internship like?

It has been both interesting and educational. Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned a great deal about how companies report on their sustainability efforts and the challenges different sectors face in reducing their climate impact. Working with climate data has also given me valuable experience in navigating complex datasets and frameworks, such as the GHG Protocol and transition plan indicators. This has highlighted the importance of transparency and standardization in sustainability work.

I’ve also found it very interesting to learn about Nordea’s own sustainability efforts and how the bank works to reduce its climate impact by collaborating with its clients. On top of that, it has been great to be part of a team with nine other students. We work closely together, share experiences, and regularly discuss questions that come up—when we’re not enjoying a coffee break, having lunch, or spending time together after work.

Ilmari Henriksson 

Second-year student in the Bachelor program of Business and Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics

What’s the internship like?

I have found the internship very valuable for both my studies and future career in finance and accounting. By gathering data and reviewing multiple reports from different companies, I have learned how to navigate and extract relevant information from annual and sustainability reports. This experience has provided a real-life application of my university studies, which I find especially meaningful. It has helped turn the lessons and theories from textbooks into practical understanding.

Learnings and gains

In my view, the internship provides a strong foundation in ESG overall. For example, I have learned how companies should report sustainability metrics, the unique aspects of different sectors, and the steps companies take to move toward a more sustainable world. Furthermore, the internship offers valuable experience in teamwork, which is just as important as the technical knowledge gained. I believe we have an amazing team composed of individuals from different universities and backgrounds, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mutual learning.

Highlights and key take-aways

I see three main aspects of the ESG internship that are highly valuable for the future. First, the ability to find accurate data from annual and sustainability reports is relevant in many jobs. I’ve learned that companies are not always clear or straightforward in their reporting, which makes interpretation—and understanding the specific company and industry—especially important. 

Second, the internship has deepened my knowledge of ESG and given me a concrete view of how companies strive to make a sustainable impact. I’ve gained perspective on how long and complex the transition to sustainable business can be. 

Ida Kristensson

Fourth-year student in Environmental, Energy and Management Engineering Program with a Masters specialization in Industrial Engineering and Management at Linköping University

What’s the internship like?

It has been highly rewarding and intellectually stimulating, particularly as it aligns closely with my academic background and core areas of interests. As a student in the Energy-Environment-Management Engineering program, I´ve developed a strong interest in how long-term financial performance can be reconciled with reductions in climate impacts.

From the very first day of the internship, we were immersed in foundational frameworks such as the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard and the GHG protocol, which laid the groundwork for our continued analysis of sustainability reports across a broad range of companies. My responsibilities have been diverse, ranging from the collection of ESG data for input into Nordea’s ESG rating model, to in-depth, sector-specific assessment of companies’ climate transition plans. Given the fast-paced evolution of the ESG landscape – especially in response to regulatory developments such as the CSRD – the work environment has been dynamic, collaborative and rich in opportunities for learning and knowledge exchange. 

Learnings and gains

Above all, the internship has provided a valuable opportunity to translate both prior and newly acquired knowledge into practical application. Gaining exposure to sector-specific approaches to climate action has been particularly insightful, as it underscores the importance of tailoring decarbonization strategies to the realities of different industries. While deepening my understanding of the energy sector, the experience has also sparked a stronger interest in the role of financial institution in the climate transition – particularly regarding the management of financed emissions and their influence on capital allocation. 

Equally important, the LC&I ESG team has fostered an inclusive and supportive culture where colleagues have shown clear commitment to creating a collaborative environment where interns are encouraged to grow and contribute meaningfully.

Noah Sjöborg

Third-year student in the Bachelor program in Retail Management at the Stockholm School of Economics

What’s the internship like?

From day one, this internship has been a place where learning meets real-world application. I truly feel that I’m not just observing but actively contributing and learning through hands-on experience. The culture here is incredibly open and supportive: colleagues are approachable, generous with their time, and genuinely invested in helping us interns grow. It’s been easy to feel part of the team, and the atmosphere is both professional and relaxed, which makes learning even more enjoyable.

Learnings and gains

One of the most valuable aspects of the internship has been learning about high-emitting sectors and the real operational challenges they face in transitioning. Through hands-on data collection and ESG analysis, I’ve gained direct insight into how companies measure emissions, set climate targets, and work toward decarbonization. It’s been a steep learning curve, but incredibly rewarding.