Students cracking business cases during a WFIP session at the Nordea head quarters in Copenhagen.

Women’s Finance Insight Programme is ‘such a valuable experience’ – students tell why

14-05-2025 12:35

What's it like to work within high-paced areas like Markets and Investment Banking? What do they do, what does it take to make it there? 65 students joined our Women’s Finance Insight Programme, looking for answers. They got what they came for, and much more - such as a head start on their career - as some of the attending students tell in their final blog in the WFIP 2025 series.

After having attended 6-7 WFIP sessions at our four Nordic offices, the students from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland sum up their experiences from our annual spring programme.

First up are Isabella from Denmark and Leah from Norway, telling about their learnings, gains and eye-openers. Read their blog, and see why they highly recommend students to apply for WFIP, which offers unique insight to the various business areas and diversified career opportunities within Nordea Markets, Investment Banking & Equities and Leveraged Finance.

Isabella Bildsøe (Denmark)

22 years old and currently studying for a bachelor's degree in International Business at Copenhagen Business School (CBS).

Key learnings and eye-openers

The programme broadened my perspective on the wide range of roles within Investment Banking and Markets and how different teams contribute to client solutions. One of my key learnings was realising that you don’t need to have all the answers when starting out in finance. While the industry presents a steep learning curve, it became clear that this is balanced by a collaborative culture where knowledge-sharing and support are deeply embedded. That shift in mindset gave me a more realistic and encouraging view of what it means to enter the field.

Favorite part – Case solving because …

My favorite part was the case solving and presentations. It allowed us to understand the general idea of what each team worked with and their areas of expertise. For example, we were challenged to predict stock price movements following the release of quarterly reports. I truly valued the interaction between professionals and participants, which made the experience feel more personal and approachable. On top of that, connecting with the other participants was a major plus.

Markets people, Ida Maria Porsager, Head of FX Sales DK, Caroline Hyldahl, Graduate in Derivatives Coverage and Anne Bjerring Pedersen, Graduate in EUR & DKK Rates, telling about Fixed Income Trading and the world of bonds and derivatives.

A stronger foundation for career decisions

I joined the programme with a strong interest in finance but limited knowledge of the specific roles and responsibilities within each team. After completing it, I now have a much clearer understanding of how the different teams operate and contribute within Investment Banking and Markets. Being able to distinguish between these functions has given me a stronger foundation and will surely be incredibly helpful when making decisions about which career path to pursue going forward.

Apply – you won’t regret it

I would definitely encourage students to apply - you won’t regret it! If you have even a slight interest in a career in finance, this programme can inspire you, challenge your thinking, and open your eyes to opportunities you may not have considered. The content is accessible and well-paced, so everyone can follow along regardless of their starting point. It’s a valuable experience for any young person curious about the financial sector.

Exceeded expectations

The programme certainly exceeded my expectations. The programme managed to combine insightful presentations with hands-on case solving in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. This balance made the learning experience both engaging and approachable, setting it apart from other similar programmes.

Lively talks between students and Nordea people during the closing dinner at a restaurant in Copenhagen.

Felt a strong connection to the culture, the people, the work

After attending WFIP, I can definitely see myself pursuing a career within finance. The programme helped me realise that there’s room for a wide range of personalities and skill sets within the industry. More importantly, it gave me a clearer understanding of which roles align with my interests and strengths. I also felt a strong connection to the culture, the people, and the nature of the work, which made the prospect of a career in finance even more appealing.

Leah Norheim (Norway)

24 years old and currently pursuing a Master’s in Financial Economics at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).

Greatest learnings and insights

The greatest learning for me was listening to the representatives from the different departments and gaining insight into their daily work. It was valuable to learn about their specific tasks, responsibilities, and challenges. I also found it very insightful to understand the distinctions between the various areas of finance and to get a clearer picture of what it’s actually like to work at Nordea.

Inspiring talks and mingling

It was inspiring to connect with both Nordea representatives and the other engaged students. The final session, where we had dinner together with some of the employees, was a highlight. It gave us the chance to talk more casually about both professional topics and other interests, which was very interesting.

Especially valuable

Having participated in WFIP, have definitely made me feel more prepared to take the next step in my career. I have gained a better understanding of the different roles and tasks within finance, as well as how the various departments are connected and distinct. Working on cases from different departments has been especially valuable.

Sara Midtgaard, Associate Director in Research & Risk Solutions, Markets Norway, during a session telling about the business area and her career journey.

WFIP provides a great opportunity to grow

I would highly recommend this programme to anyone who is curious about finance. You don’t need any specific experience or background knowledge, just a willingness to learn and a curious mindset. The programme is truly designed to support students from all levels, and it provides a great opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Exciting and valuable experience

The programme absolutely met my expectations. I learned so much more than I had anticipated and received valuable input that will benefit me in my future career. I was also positively surprised by how genuinely engaged and passionate the Nordea representatives were, which made the sessions even more enjoyable. All in all, WFIP was an exciting experience, and I would strongly recommend it to other students.

Stay tuned for the next and final blog in the WFIP 2025 series where Lina Johansson and Hanna Pikkarainen from Sweden and Finland tells about their experiences; biggest learnings, eye-openers and gains from attending the Women's Finance Insight Programme.

Meanwhile, you can check out some of the previous WFIP blogs.

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