"Gothenburg is a fantastic city for logistics studies"
Kaisa Nordlund works at the Swedish Defence University (FHS) in Stockholm, where she focuses on Arctic issues, including logistics, geopolitics and hybrid warfare against infrastructure. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Logistics and a Master's degree in Logistics and Transport from the School of Business, Economics and Law. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work as a port agent in Svalbard - an experience that opened her eyes to the importance of logistics in extreme environments. "My passion for logistics, especially in the Arctic, has only grown since then, and now I can really make use of everything," says Kaisa.
How did you choose your education?
"I was not sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to work internationally. I was thinking about economics, law and international relations and applied for several programmes at the School of Business, Economics and Law. The logistics programme was one of the courses I applied for without really knowing what it could lead to - but it sounded fun because it seemed so practical and really required global thinking. When I later gained experience working with logistics in Svalbard, the pieces fell into place. It was fascinating to understand how crucial logistics are to making everything run smoothly, especially in challenging environments. This insight made me decide to go all the way and get a Masters in Logistics and Transport.”
When I gained experience with logistics in Svalbard, the pieces started to fall into place. It was fascinating to understand how crucial logistics are to making everything run smoothly, especially in challenging environments
What is your title and what do you do at work?
"Today I work as a project manager and researcher at the Strategic Implications and Innovations Centre (SIIC) at the Swedish Defence University. My work involves analysing and compiling information in areas such as the Arctic, the High North and undersea warfare. I receive enquiries and use a variety of methods to produce relevant material, which then results in knowledge-enhancing reports. I also plan and conduct seminars and conferences for the defence sector and decision-makers from Sweden and our international partners.”
What skills from the programme do you carry with you in your professional life?
“The programme provided me with a solid foundation in both analytical and strategic tools – a combination I have truly benefited from. The Excel course was actually unexpectedly valuable, especially during my first year at MSC in Oslo, where much of the work involved quickly managing and analysing large datasets. However, what has perhaps influenced me the most are the more long-term skills: building relationships, being curious, and daring to take initiative. At the School of Business, Economics and Law, I had many opportunities to practice these skills – through group projects, guest lectures, and various industry contacts. I often took the chance to talk to lecturers and experts, and those conversations have opened many doors after graduation.”
How has your education helped you in your career?
"Education is about packaging experience and theory described in research in a way that makes it applicable in the workplace. The School of Business, Economics, and Law provided me with an excellent combination of theory, methods, and tools that have been invaluable in my work. These have helped me to quickly analyse and solve complex problems, whether in the logistics chain in Svalbard, the shipping industry in Oslo or strategic analysis in Stockholm. The ability to adapt and apply my education in different industries and roles has been one of the greatest assets I have gained from the School of Business, Economics and Law."
The School of Business, Economics, and Law provided me with an excellent combination of theory, methods, and tools that have been invaluable in my work
Was there a course that you particularly enjoyed?
"At the undergraduate level, I particularly enjoyed the Operational Management course, but at the masters level it was even more interesting as we delved deeper into 'pure logistics'. The courses in Urban Logistics and Maritime Logistics were some of my absolute favourites, as they provided a clear link between theory and reality. Understanding how logistics affects our cities and the importance of shipping to global trade was very rewarding. I found the lecturers at the School of Business, Economics and Law to be fantastic - their dedication and depth of knowledge made every lecture inspiring. One of the most eye-opening moments was learning about the logistics behind e-commerce and its impact on the environment. It was an insight that I still carry with me today and that influences my choices as a consumer and who I want to work with.”
What do you think of the School of Business, Economics and Law as a school?
"I am very satisfied! Before I started at the School of Business, Economics and Law, I considered studying abroad, but I realised that the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg has a strong international profile and is highly ranked. In addition, Gothenburg is a fantastic city for studying logistics - with the largest port in the Nordics, an airport, railway and large distribution centres just around the corner. It offers a unique opportunity to combine theory with reality. You really see multimodal logistics every day.”
Gothenburg is a fantastic city for logistics studies - with the largest port in the Nordics, an airport, a railway and large distribution centres just around the corner. It offers a unique opportunity to combine theory with reality. You really see multimodal logistics every day
What are your plans for the future?
"In the short term, I am very interested in doing a PhD in logistics with a focus on the Arctic, especially as the region becomes increasingly important from a geopolitical and sustainability perspective as the ice melts. I want to help ensure that development in the area is done responsibly. The dream of working in Ushuaia for a season also remains! With a logistics education, there are so many exciting jobs - and you are in high demand. “
What advice do you have for those considering applying to the School of Business, Economics and Law?
"Gain experience! I had no experience in logistics before I started at the School of Business, Economics and Law, but working seasonally in Svalbard and taking a break to really understand how it works up there helped me enormously in my studies. The great thing about taking a break is that you can keep your place at university while gaining practical experience in the industry you want to enter. It also looks very good on your CV when you apply for jobs later: Employers value both academic training and work experience.”
Who do you think should apply to the Logistics programme and Master's in Logistics and Transport Management?
"Anyone who is curious, cares about the environment, is interested in global trade and transport, as well as technology and AI - and above all, anyone who wants to make a difference! Logistics is an exciting industry that is constantly evolving, and for those who want a dynamic and international career, this is the right choice".
Logistics is an exciting industry that is constantly evolving and is the right choice for those looking for a dynamic and international career
How did you get your jobs?
"By picking up the phone and asking! I got my first job in Svalbard by calling the manager, introducing myself and showing my interest. Later I used the same strategy to get my current job at the Swedish Defence University, which has led me to work on projects related to the Arctic and defence.”
How do you think your education at the School of Business, Economics and Law prepared you to work with sustainability issues?
"Sustainability permeated the whole education - it was not a separate subject, but part of almost every course and discussion. This meant that I learned early on to consider sustainability issues as a natural part of business decisions and logistical solutions. This became particularly clear when I worked in Svalbard - I saw climate change up close and personal, and it was invaluable to be able to combine concrete experiences with the tools, models and perspectives we had gained from the course. This holistic view has helped me no matter where I have worked - in Svalbard, Oslo or Stockholm - because sustainability issues are no longer a side issue, but a central part of how organisations do business."