International internship in Norway and Sweden

As part of SEB’s International Trainee Programme, participants have the unique opportunity to travel abroad and gain insight from the bank’s global offices. Marina Doherty, Analyst within Sustainable Banking at SEB in Copenhagen, recently completed a month-long internship in Oslo and Stockholm. Here, she shares her experiences and the valuable lessons learned from her time abroad.

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Marina decided to pursue her Master’s in International Development in Spain. This academic journey ignited her passion for sustainability and a career in Europe. “I’ve always been interested in exploring new places and cultures”, she shares. “Before graduating in 2023, I found SEB on LinkedIn. Although I hadn’t heard of the bank before, the International Trainee Programme caught my eye. It seemed like a perfect blend of flexibility and structure, allowing me to delve into sustainability from a new perspective. While I didn’t originally expect to work in the finance industry, let alone move to Copenhagen, it sounded too interesting to pass on.”

As an Analyst within Large Corporates and Financial Institutions (LC&FI), specifically Sustainable Banking, Marina’s role involves diverse tasks. “Given our small team in Copenhagen, my work varies daily,” she explains. “The opportunity to travel to other offices was therefore a great way to learn more about SEB from a holistic perspective.”

Tell us more about your time in Oslo and Stockholm! What did you do?

“I first travelled to SEB in Oslo, where I worked in various departments, including Sustainable Banking and Sustainable Debt Capital Markets (DCM). Then, I visited the Stockholm office, which really is the heart of the bank, and spent some time with the Climate and Sustainable Finance team. In total, I was able to join in on several projects, for example working on a green finance framework, providing updates on sustainable finance labels, and conducting market research on relevant technologies and investments.”

On a personal level, Marina also cherished the opportunity to immerse herself in different cultures. “I was lucky enough to be in Norway for their constitution day, and in Sweden for midsummer, which was fantastic,” she says. “Experiencing cultural moments like these is truly memorable.”

Reflections and takeaways

Being back in Copenhagen, Marina reflects on the value of her international internship. “I’ve returned with a greater understanding of SEB’s operations and the expansive nature of sustainability within the bank – something I hope can provide more value within my home team. The experience also broadened my financial knowledge and network across the Scandinavian sites, which helps me work so much more efficiently. Overall, it has truly increased my know-how in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. I never could’ve imagined working at a company that invests so much in its employees, not least junior talents.”