The Trainee Programme Builds Confidence

For Ingrid Åsenius, SEB’s International Trainee Programme was the perfect way to kick-start her career as a Data Scientist within the bank. Now, one year later, she shares her experiences and offers tips for those considering applying for the programme!

What made you choose SEB’s trainee programme? 

– Before the programme I studied industrial engineering with a focus on data and machine learning at KTH in Stockholm. The education was very broad, and after graduating I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join a trainee programme or even work in a bank. However, I had heard good things about SEB’s trainee programme and really liked the bank’s brand. What’s particularly exciting about SEB is that it’s a corporate bank, which means that there’s a lot to work with, and you have great opportunities to make an impact. The bank also takes significant social responsibility and has a long-term goal of creating change, which I find very important.

Tell us more about your role and the area you work in!

– I work in the Corporate Banking division, which deals with the products and services that we offer our larger corporate clients. More specifically, I work within Data & Analytics, primarily dealing with account and transaction data as well as the journey towards Cloud. Since we’re generally working towards being more data-driven, I also have a lot of interaction with various stakeholders to better understand their current data, but also to try to predict future needs and find long-term solutions that create value. As SEB is a large organisation that has been around for a long time, it is very challenging. But at the same time, I feel that there are many opportunities to contribute and make a difference, which feels very exciting. Plus, I really enjoy working with data!

What has been the best aspect of the trainee programme? 

– A large part of the trainee period involves networking and exploring other parts of the bank, which has definitely been the best part of the programme! You get the opportunity to shadow and rotate in roles where you work on concrete problems and learn more about areas you find particularly interesting. Also, you get to spend a lot of time with other trainees with whom you can exchange experiences. All of this makes it easier to find what you enjoy working with, and most importantly, you gain a very broad understanding of the bank's different divisions, structures and the challenges they face. That has definitely benefited me in my current role. 

Do you have any tips for future trainees? 

– The trainee programme truly offers fantastic opportunities, but in the end, it’s up to you to make the most of your time. You have to be the one to ask questions, reach out and dare to seize the opportunities. And of course, it can sometimes be tough because there’s always a certain threshold. However, it also means that you learn a lot about yourself and build confidence, even though you’re new. My most important tip is therefore to be open-minded, curious, and willing to step outside your comfort zone to find what you find interesting and enjoyable. And if you haven’t yet applied for SEB’s International Trainee Programme – do it!