"It’s positive that SEB is investing a lot in AI and machine learning"

Hanna Hultin started as a trainee at SEB two years ago. Today she is the banks first Industrial doctoral student within Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP).

While Hanna studied engineering physics at the Royal Institute of Technology she thought that she wanted to start researching – but she was unsure whether she wanted to spend five more years in the university or not. Her current position as Industrial Doctoral student at SEB, focusing on machine learning methods for order execution, she'd describe as the perfect mix between business and academy.

"I like the feeling when there is a clear plan for what my research will be used for and that it has a strong connection with the type of roles SEB want to develop further. Here, they really invest a lot in tech like for example AI and machine learning, which is very fun."

How did you get the role as Industrial Doctoral Student?

"My journey at SEB started two years ago when I applied for the bank´s International Trainee Programme. Initially it was meant for me to go into the role as Data Scientist when the trainee programme ended, but instead I was recommended by my manager at the time to take the opportunity to become SEB's first industrial doctoral student."

What was it that tempted you to apply for SEB's international trainee programme?

"Since I wasn't sure of what roles I could apply for with my education, which is very broad, I I thought a trainee programme where I would get to try a lot of different things would be the perfect fit for me. The reason I choose to go with finance is because of my interest for data and statistics. What I liked about SEB's Trainee Programme was that I would be given a specific role from the first day, but at the same time I had the opportunity to rotate to different areas of the bank."

What was your first impression of SEB as a workplace?

"I hade a pretty narrow picture of what a bank does and was surprised over how much more that was going on here than I'd initially thought. The feeling I got when I came to the office on my first day was more that of a modern IT-company than a bank."

Tell us about something exciting that happened during the trainee programme

"During one of my rotations, another trainee and I travelled to SEB's office in Singapore for a project to analyse the differences between the European and Asian markets. It was very cool to go there for a business errand and not as a tourist, to see the country from another perspective."