Stella: I was intrigued by the opportunity to try out different roles within data. I heard about the programme through a friend – a former programme attendee – who described his experience and how pivotal it was to his personal and professional development. It sounded like something that I should try myself.
Brynjar: I agree with Stella. When I was finishing my Masters in Business Administration and Data Science, the Graduate Programme immediately stood out because I could rotate across various teams within the field. Also, it offered different training and learning opportunities. This combination of rotational exposure and structured learning gave me an ideal environment to grow within the largest bank in the Nordics.
Brynjar: I liked how the tone was set at the beginning of the programme – this was a place to learn and grow. On the first day, I recall that my line manager told me that the aim was to keep the learning curve as steep as possible in the next two years, and I knew I was in the right place. This mindset has been clear throughout the programme – I’ve been pushed outside my comfort zone, working with multiple teams and adapting to different situations.
Another aspect worth highlighting is how the Graduate Programme expands your network. In the first months of the programme, I’ve probably never in my life met as many people in such a short space of time – both professionals in my department but also others on the Graduate Programme. This network of programme members posted in different departments gives you a great insight into Nordea.
Stella: For me, it’s really difficult to pinpoint just one thing! The networking, learning opportunities, my coworkers’ willingness to help, travel, team culture and – of course – personal growth – all spring to mind. If I had to choose just one, though, it would be the rotation opportunities. Rotations are a great way of stepping out of your comfort zone and tackling new challenges.
Stella: My advice is to be as open as possible to new opportunities and have a go at tasks that might seem challenging. With a true eagerness to learn, the Graduate Programme can be a highly rewarding experience.
For example, I got the opportunity to fill in for a Senior Data Scientist in Digital Sales Sweden while he was on parental leave. When my line manager proposed this to me, my first thought was, wow – this is huge! Of course, it was a task that required lots of dedication, ownership and responsibility. Being open to the challenge helped me get the most out of the rotation.
Brynjar: Apply to the Graduate Programme because it’s a great opportunity to kick-start your career. Be open and take responsibility for your own development because your personal growth is up to you.
Applied Data Science (ADS) focuses on providing analytics and data science capabilities to support customer-driven solutions at Nordea. The Graduate Programme is run by the four teams within ADS – Data & MarTech Products, Data Science & Analytics, Web Analytics & Online Optimisation and AI Hub. We mostly rotate within these teams, but also have the option to rotate outside of ADS.
Brynjar: In my current rotation, I’ve mainly been a business analyst in Data & MarTech Products. The job consists of discussing with stakeholders, trying to understand their needs and translating those needs into technical requirements. In my next rotation, I will join Data Science & Analytics where I will work with a Senior Data Scientist who supports Personal Banking Analytics and Digital Sales and Engagement. There, my aim is to get closer to the business and continue building on my experience at Nordea.
Stella: My experience in ADS has been really rewarding. I’ve rotated through Data & MarTech Products, Data Science & Analytics and AI Hub. My last rotation is outside of ADS, at the CEO Office. Through all my rotations, I’ve had exposure to both analytical and data-driven tasks, but also to business and project management tasks. In all the teams, I’ve met amazing people who have contributed to my growth and learning.
Stella: Be bold, try new roles, enjoy the process!
Brynjar: “The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there” – Gina Milicia.
We offer a wealth of opportunities for students.
Learn more about the programmes in each of the countries where Nordea operates and see how you can start your career today! Let some of our graduates explain it to you; how it works, what we do, and about the many career opportunities we can offer you.
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