Interview with civil engineering student Viola Nordin.
Viola is in her fourth year studying Industrial Economics. She used to live in Ljustorp, Timrå municipality, but moved to central Sundsvall to be in the middle of student life and avoid commuting.
Why Mid Sweden University?
– Mainly because I wouldn’t have to move, at least not very far. I would be able to stay close to my family and friends here in Sundsvall. Another deciding factor in my case was that the chances of being accepted were high. The decision to actually move from Timrå municipality to Sundsvall municipality was based on avoiding commuting, but also on being able to spend more time with other students and participate more easily in social activities related to my studies.
What skills or experience do you think are most in demand by employers in your industry right now?
– Overall, I think that university and the programmes we do there prepare us and show future employers that we are capable of learning. I also believe that the breadth of subjects we study gives us a good understanding of how work within an organization functions. An organization has many parts, and if I, as a student of Industrial Economics, hope to lead all or parts of it, it is incredibly important to understand not only how each part functions, but also how they function as a whole.
Skills and other experiences are also important. One aspect of my programme that I believe can make us attractive on the job market is that we have basic IT skills. We take a number of courses where we do different types of programming. This knowledge is useful in many different contexts, regardless of whether I want to work in project management or directly with something more IT-oriented. We also take a course on the development of information technology and digitalisation, which also covers AI and its role in society. I think courses like these are incredibly good and make us attractive to employers. However, I would like to see more course content on digitalisation and AI within organizations, as this has become such a topical subject, and I believe it would make us more attractive.
What factors do you consider most important in an employer for you to be interested in working there?
– For me, there are mainly three things I think about when I am asked this question: a good working environment, opportunities for continued development and flexibility.
A good working environment. By this I mean the premises and more material things, but also how the work with colleagues functions. Having a company/department/work team where everyone can feel secure and help each other without fear of being judged. This is something that is difficult to evaluate before you have worked at a company, and hearing from others, potentially future colleagues, about how they work and enjoy themselves is very valuable.
The opportunity to develop and advance within the company. Personally, I think being able to grow within the company is very important; without this opportunity, I would not see myself staying in a workplace for long. Without the chance to grow and develop, it is easy to feel stuck.
Flexibility is also important. Sometimes you can’t plan for everything, and being flexible in your work is worth its weight in gold. This could be in the form of the opportunity to work from home or another location. Flexible working hours to adjust your working hours are also important, but the need for flexibility varies for everyone and comes in different forms.
What would make you stay in Sundsvall after graduation?
– First and foremost, I would say that it depends on whether I feel I can find an exciting opportunity in the area. If I were to find a position in a company that I find interesting and in an attractive area, I would definitely consider staying.
The city would also need to develop. This is difficult for companies to drive directly, but rather a job for the municipality. Sundsvall needs to be made more vibrant and attractive. Better and more affordable public transport and working to make parts of the city where entertainment is available more accessible are two things that I personally consider important.
The second answer: nothing. I am from the area and feel that I want the opportunity to see more before I settle permanently in Sundsvall. The idea is to come back, but I find it difficult to satisfy my desire to explore if I were to stay here after graduation.