“A highly valuable experience with many revelations” – This is why

Siiri Einiö, Finland

How did you come across WFIP?

I learned about Nordea’s Women’s Finance Insight Programme (WFIP) via social media when the applications opened. It sparked an interest in me, so I read more about previous participants’ experiences on here on Nordea’s career blog, and immediately decided to apply. I’m very happy I applied, as it turned out to be a highly valuable experience, both networking and learning-wise.

What was the most interesting - and most challenging?

The most interesting part was speaking with so many of the Nordea professionals. They were happy to share their experiences and reflect upon what they would do if they were us: finance-minded students early in our careers. The most challenging part was the business cases we got to do – it became clear that theoretical knowledge from university, while necessary, is far from sufficient. Here, teamwork and the excitement of performing under pressure made the difference.

What has been your greatest learning?

My greatest learning was a moment of self-discovery – the confirmation that I’m very interested in investment banking (IB) and its different elements, and it feels like a path I will thrive in. IB is a project-driven, dynamic world centred on value creation, with an endless stream of interesting cases that drive meaningful milestones for corporations of all kinds. It is always great to get opportunities like WFIP, where I feel like I’m moving in the right direction and gaining clarity on where I’m headed.

Sara Loikas, Finland

How did you come across WFIP?

At first, through Aalto Finance channels. As one of the Communications Managers of Aalto Finance this year, I was actually responsible for making sure the programme was promoted on our channels, so there was no chance I could miss it!

What did you find most interesting - and most challenging?

Before the programme I was much more familiar with corporate finance and investment banking than the markets side. Therefore, I found it particularly interesting to learn about the Markets division with its different functions and the relationship between Markets and Investment Banking. The most challenging part was understanding just how broad both areas are and how the different teams and functions connect with one another.

What has been your greatest learning?

My greatest learning came from hearing about the Markets trading floor directly from professionals working there. Discussions about finance careers often focus on investment banking, so gaining insight into the day-to-day work within Markets and Sales & Trading was extremely valuable and gave me a much broader perspective on the industry.

Anything that surprised you?

I was particularly surprised by how strictly information is separated between Markets and Investment Banking. While I understood the importance of regulations beforehand, hearing practical examples of how these information barriers operate in daily work was a real eye-opener.

Has your perception of a career in finance changed? 

Absolutely. The programme gave me a much clearer picture of what working in banking actually looks like and further strengthened my interest in finance. It also made me even more interested in gaining hands-on experience through an internship, which I believe would be a great way to deepen my understanding of the industry and explore different career paths within banking.