Closing this year’s Women’s Finance Insight Programme (WFIP), four of the participants; Mina, Iida, Pernille Marie and Emelie, who we’ve followed in various blogs during the programme, sum-up their experiences, highlights, gains and challenges during the six weeks. In this, their final blog, they tell about their greatest learnings and reveal whether they, after the programme, are still interested in pursuing a career within finance.
Bonus info: If you’re curious about the programme and perhaps are considering to apply for next year, Mina, Iida, Pernille Marie and Emelie also share some insider tips and recommendations on how to go about it both before applying and once enrolled in the programme.
(Psst! Mina is now joining us in a summer internship)
Which session(s) did you like the most?
I found that they all provided valuable insight into different divisions of Nordea. However, the first session left the strongest impression, primarily because we were able to meet in person and receive an introduction to all of the divisions. I also found the Equity Research case in the session to be very engaging. I was fascinated and surprised to learn that the analysts actually spend a significant amount of time with clients – which makes the division even more attractive to me.
What has been your greatest learning?
It was from the DCM (Debt Capital Markets) & DSL (Debt Solutions & Loans) case. The session opened my eyes to the fact that pricing/valuation of bonds is done very differently in practice compared to theory. It was very insightful to learn about which factors the representatives would emphasise or highlight when selecting bonds. In summary, the session gave me a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges faced in the bond market.
Did the programme meet your expectations?
Yes, my expectations were met, and also exceeded in many ways. I had a basic understanding of finance and investment banking before the programme, but it was very insightful to learn more and especially about how the divisions interlink. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and network with professionals and the other students.
Would you recommend your peers to join this programme?
Absolutely! I would definitely recommend the programme, since it is a great opportunity to learn about what a career within finance can offer. The programme is well-structured and provides hands-on experience through the case studies. Additionally, it is a great opportunity to discuss with other students and also to ask questions to the representatives from the different divisions.
The programme is well-structured and provides hands-on experience
Could you see yourself working at Nordea – in finance?
Yes, I could definitely see myself pursuing a career in finance in the future. My interest in the field has grown. My upcoming summer internship at Nordea will undoubtedly provide me with more valuable insights and a chance to explore my interests further. I am eager to learn while also assessing if this is the right career path for me.
What advice would you give students considering to apply to our programme?
Go for it, apply. Before applying, you should take some time to reflect on your motivation and what you hope to achieve from the programme. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and show interest during the program. It is also important to prepare for the cases in advance, even if you find them challenging. This will help you to be active during the sessions and enable you to ask questions. Overall, stay engaged and curious, and make the most of the opportunities the programme provides.
Which session did you like the most?
This was an extremely hard question because I truly found all the sessions vastly interesting and well-structured. Therefore, I chose the closing dinner which wrapped up our six-week-long programme. It was amazing to talk with employees from different teams as well as other participants in a relaxed environment and deepen our knowledge on top of what we had learned from previous meetings.
What have been your greatest learning during this spring?
There have been a great number of new learnings from all the themes. The learning I want to highlight is where investment banks stand in the financing industry, what different teams really do, and where the line goes between the teams.
Did the programme meet your expectations?
My expectations were met and highly exceeded! The session topics were made easy to understand, cases enabled deeper understanding and our small group of participants provided an intimate and pleasant atmosphere. From the earlier blog posts, you can read more in detail about our key learnings which really made the programme valuable.
My expectations were met and highly exceeded
Would you recommend your peers to join this programme, and why?
Absolutely! In addition to getting to know what different teams do in Nordea Investment Banking, we gained lots of insights for the interviews.
Could you see yourself working at Nordea, in investment banking?
This programme has definitely made me sure that I would love to work in the investment banking industry and at Nordea. To figure out how diverse the work is, and how interesting the work is in all the various teams at Nordea teams, was very inspiring.
What fascinates me in investment banking is how you get to familiarize yourself with numerous of companies and industries. In addition, I am inspired by how you get to cooperate in the work with various stakeholders and firm key persons.
What advice would you give students interested in applying?
Firstly, I want to emphasize that you do not need to know anything about investment banking before entering the programme. The sessions are structured in a way so they're easy to understand while giving you plenty of new insight into various teams in investment banking. All you need before applying is an eagerness to learn, and then show your motivation in your application.
Which session/theme did you like the most? Why?
I really enjoyed the equity research case session. It was tough to solve a case in such a short time, but I learnt a lot about what to consider when analysing a stock and how to assess a company overall.
What has been your greatest learning during this spring?
When entering this programme, I didn’t know much about debt as a financing alternative. Therefore, I found the session with leveraged finance very interesting. I have also gained great insights into how to prepare for internship interviews, i.e. how the technical questions are structured and how to present oneself.
Looking back at the programme, were your expectations met?
The programme is structured in a very convenient way as you both get to network and to do real cases to familiarise with the divisions. It provides a great opportunity to ask employees in each division questions about their roles. Further, the programme also gives time to get to know other students, which is great. All in all, I’d say the programme exceeded my expectations.
Would you recommend your peers to join this programme?
If you are interested in learning about finance, I highly recommend you to apply. The programme doesn’t only cover the opportunities at Nordea but also teaches about what a bank does. Now I actually feel that I have an understanding of what you do at the different divisions. I also think this is a great opportunity to enhance your resume for future career opportunities.
If you are interested in learning about finance, I highly recommend you to apply
Could you see yourself working at Nordea – in finance?
I actually have two investment banking internships during this summer and fall, but at other banks. Hopefully, I will encounter Nordea in the future as I found it a great place to work in.
What advice would you give students interested in applying to the programme?
If you are admitted to the programme, I really encourage you to take advantage of all the resources available to you, i.e. the programme supervisors and the employees you will encounter. They can provide you with useful information and help you build valuable connections that could help in your future career at Nordea.
Which session did you like the most?
Evaluating financial performance and gaining insights into market trends has always been a topic of great interest to me. Nordea's adeptness in these areas is commendable, as they demonstrate a deep understanding of the factors driving business success and growth. By combining their market expertise with a commitment to sustainable and responsible investments, Nordea showcases the opportunity for the financial sector to create positive social impact.
What has been your greatest learning during this spring?
The most significant learning has been understanding the intricate relationships between various departments within investment banking. The programme allowed me to appreciate the collaborative nature of the industry and how different units work together to provide comprehensive solutions to clients. I gained a deeper understanding of how diverse divisions operate synergistically to support clients' diverse financial needs, such as advising on mergers and acquisitions, raising capital through equity or debt offerings, and providing research-backed insights.
Looking back at the programme, were your expectations met?
The programme's structure enabled a thorough exploration of various financial services, supported by experienced professionals who were always willing to share their insights. The practical case-solving exercises not only reinforced our learning but also encouraged teamwork and creative problem-solving – exceeding my expectations.
Would you recommend your peers to join this programme?
I have already recommended the Nordea Women's Finance Insight Programme to several of my peers as it is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the financial sector. The interactive case-solving exercises, group presentations, and networking opportunities are the perfect blend for learning and professional growth.
Could you see yourself working at Nordea, in investment banking, in finance etc.?
Having worked at Nordea as a student assistant for over a year, I have gained a deeper understanding of the financial sector. The Women's Finance Insight Programme has further solidified my interest in pursuing a career in finance. The fast-paced and challenging nature of the industry, combined with the opportunity to apply my analytical and problem-solving skills in real-world situations, makes it a dynamic and rewarding field. I am excited about the endless opportunities for growth and learning in the ever-evolving financial landscape and the ability to make a tangible impact.
This is a unique opportunity
What advice would you give students interested in applying?
I highly encourage students considering the Women's Finance Insight Programme to apply! This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into the financial sector. If admitted, ask questions, participate actively in group work and network with industry professionals. This is a great chance to learn and grow both personally and professionally.
It has been a pleasure having +40 ambitious and talented women visiting us at our premises in Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden during spring 2023 – and, we already look forward to next year’s kick-off. We’ll keep you posted on when you can apply (it’s typically end of November). You can find more information about the programme here.
Meanwhile, have a look at this blog by Julie, who joined our programme in spring 2022, and afterwards have stayed on; first in a student position within Nordea Investment Banking, and now Julie has got a full-time position in our Debt Solutions & Loans as of 1st July 2023.
You can find more insight and inspiration about WFIP in the previous blogs by Mina, Iida, Pernille Marie and Emelie.
