Alumni interviews

Tell us a little about your profession, how you ended up in this field and what has been influential in making decisions along the way

As a Business Expert I work in collaboration with colleagues from all over the world to create and deliver valuable products and features for customers and and users within the area of Finance and Accounting. And most importantly, we need to understand requirements and “translate them” into practice, ask and receive feedback, reflect adjustments to the product, and transfer knowledge to colleagues and to the customer/end user. I ended up here with the learnings from my previous job position and the program I studied at HiG also had a big influence on it.

What is the best thing about your job/profession?

It is a very dynamic and challenging role which promotes critical thinking and problem solving.

How have your studies at the University of Gävle (HiG) shaped your choice of profession and/or your path to that profession?

Studying at HiG was a great experience! it helped me understand what I love to do, it expanded my knowledge and skills, and led me to this current profession as a logical consequence.

How have you benefitted from your education in your working career?

I have benefitted from both the content of the courses but also from the teaching/learning methods used. I often go back to knowledge acquired in courses like leadership and gender, international business, and comparative management cultures. But I think the knowledge that is benefitting my career the most is more around the teaching/learning methods used. Using critical thinking and challenging what you see, find solutions based on the knowledge you have, receive constructive criticism and be able to review the work/assignment you have in progress, and work in a team and collaborate with others are some of the greatest benefits from the education

What do you especially remember from your time at the University of Gävle?

I have lots of good memories about my time at HiG. But honestly what I remember most is the fun I had with my classmates and the relationships I built. Working together on many assignments, meeting up every day to “study” at the library but also living very close to most of them made us feel a bit like a family.

What was it like to move to Sweden and to Gävle?

It was awesome! There is a reason I keep coming back to Sweden! I moved to Sweden 3 times, and now I have decided to stay! Compared to where I live in Italy there is so much nature! There are many hiking trails and forests even very close to the cities, where you can go for a run, mushroom picking, one of those free open-air gyms or simply for a barbeque. There were also a few things I had to adapt to though. For example, Swedes are SUPER on time. If you invite someone at 19.00 expect them to arrive at 18.59! And make sure you do the same. It could be normal for most of you but for me, was a VERY good lesson to learn!

What is the best thing about Sweden and Gävle?

I cannot choose one, but my top three are: how polite and respectful people are toward others, the amazing nature and the empowerment and trust given to people. This is something I experienced and loved at school in Gävle and I am experiencing at work now.

Do you have any tips or suggestions for other students who want to move to Sweden and study?

Do not hesitate, just go! And we all know that winters are long and dark, but with the right people around you, you will barely notice it!

What are your plans for the future?

I have been living and working in Stockholm for almost 2 years now, and I really like what I do and where I am. So, I think I will stick around for a while!