“All the courses that involved maths in some way were incredibly enjoyable.”
Sara Andersson, financial consultant and alumna from the School, works in accounting and process improvement. With a background in quantitative finance, her education has given her a strong foundation and valuable contacts in the business world. She values the practical knowledge and ways of working she developed during her studies, which help her to deal with new challenges in the workplace.
What do you do at work?
"I am a financial consultant working mainly with accounting. My assignments are usually on an interim basis, which means that I work with the same client for an extended period of time to help them meet their financial needs. Working as a consultant is very varied and gives me the opportunity to work with a wide range of companies. From small private companies to large-listed companies. My assignments are often very financial statement focused but also have a strong focus on process improvement of the finance function within the company."
What made you decide to study business and economics?
"When I completed the business and economics programme at high school, it felt like a natural continuation at university. I have always liked maths and wanted to do a quantitative course, so the BSc in Business and Economics was a perfect fit.
I am a very quantitative person, so I really enjoyed all the courses that involved maths in some way. There are two courses that I remember with particular fondness, Microeconomics at the Bachelor's and a course called Quantitative Finance at the Master's."
What did you like most about your time at the School?
"In the Bachelor’s programme, I appreciated that you were given such a broad foundation. Partly to ensure that you have the right basic knowledge, but also to give you the opportunity to find out what suits you best. Once I was on the Master's programme, I had the opportunity to really specialise in what I thought was fun, which was quantitative finance. There is a wide range of courses and even though a master's in finance can feel narrow, there were still several tracks to choose from through the electives.
I also remember Evert Carlsson organising inspiring lectures for us in the MSc Finance with various people from the professional world. At the time it felt more like an obligation, but in retrospect it is something I think back on and appreciate very much."
How would you describe your programme at the School?
"I would say that this programme is equally suitable for those who know exactly what they want to do in business and economics and want to specialise in a particular area, as it is for those who haven't quite found their thing yet and want to get a broad education while they think about it. For me, my degree has given me room to grow, a good start in the working world and friends for life."
Have you been on an exchange programme?
"Yes. I went on exchange to Vienna in the autumn semester of 2018. It was an incredibly educational term. Both in terms of the courses themselves, but also what it's like to study at another university in another country. There are clear cultural differences, not only in society but also in universities, and it is very educational to see all the differences. I would recommend anyone who has the opportunity to do at least part of their studies abroad."
How did you experience the contact with the business world during your studies?
"There were a lot of study visits and guest lectures during my studies. Some of these are offered directly by the school, but there are even more that you can take part in by getting involved yourself. For example, I went to Stockholm with an organisation called GIBS to visit different investment banks. You can also take part in lectures offered by the trade associations, such as the fairs and the like."
What advice do you have for anyone considering the programme?
"Choose what you enjoy! The Bachelor’s programme at the School is an incredibly broad programme, so there are lots of choices to make and there is something for most people. Make the most of your study time, both in terms of lectures and socialising. Get involved in organisations. Studying should be fun!"
Who do you think should apply for this programme?
"I think anyone who wants a broad education with good job prospects should apply for the Economics programme.
I recommend the Finance programme to those who are having difficulty deciding between economics and business, those who want to study quantitative courses and those who think they want to work in the financial industry. You don't have to be a stockbroker to do the programme, but don't be afraid to apply!"
What skills will you take from the programme into your professional life?
"As I work in accounting, I take a lot of practical knowledge from the basic courses on the programme. But I also take away from my studies ways of working that can be applied in the workplace. During your studies you learn how to learn best. This is a great advantage in my working life, because there are always new guidelines, new information to process and new ways of doing things."
How did you get your first job?
"Like many others, I applied for a lot of jobs. Most of us in the class started looking for our first jobs in the autumn of the year before we graduated. I went to a lot of interviews but didn't find the right one. After a few months, I was contacted by a recruiter at a Big 4 firm who wanted me to take part in a recruitment process for a department I didn't even know existed, which led to a job as a financial consultant with them. That's how I stumbled into business, even though I studied finance."
What is the best thing about your job at the moment?
"All the variety I get from being a consultant. On the one hand, I learn so much from being in new environments all the time, but it also suits me as a person because I get bored easily and want to move on quickly."
What are your plans for the future?
"I hope to build my CV while finding a niche in finance that suits me. In the future, I may take on a line role to gain more long-term experience. In the long run, I would like to start my own consulting company where I can work with the topics and challenges I am passionate about."
Did your studies at the School prepare you to work with sustainability issues?
"During my time at the School, there were many opportunities to specialise in sustainability. For me, this was usually expressed as topics in group work, but especially in essay writing. This gave us the opportunity to explore the sustainability aspect of the financial market.
In my day-to-day work, I probably benefit most from having the sustainability perspective in the back of my mind, as it feels like something that many others miss, but which comes very naturally after a business school education."