Example 1 – Linda Strålberg
Linda Strålberg did her degree project with Gamesys Group, a company that then employed her.
What was your experience of doing your degree project in a company like?
“It was great! It felt reassuring to know that there were lots of people there I could turn to if I had questions about my work. It was also fun in that the degree project students got to join in all the activities the company arranged and be part of the team, even though we were ‘just’ students.”
What did it give you as a student?
“A foot in the door in the world of work and a routine – setting an alarm every morning and going out to work. It gave me a lot more freedom and focus. I could get my degree project done while I was in the office during the day and didn’t have to worry about it at all after I’d gone home. Ultimately it also gave me a job in a company I really wanted to work for. On top of that, the change of environment was worth its weight in gold. After spending so many long days on various sofas while at university, it was great to have a desk all of my own to come to every day and something new to look at other than the familiar university surroundings.”
What would you like to say to other students thinking about doing their degree project in a company?
“Don’t hesitate! It’s an amazing opportunity. You can also get lots of great tips about what to write and how to write your degree project, especially here, where lots of us were at the university before joining the company.”
Do you have any suggestions that could make the process of finding a degree project placement easier?
“My suggestion to make it easier to find a degree project company is to start early. Send off emails the minute you read this. No employer is ever going to think that showing interest and being quick off the mark is a bad thing. My other piece of advice would be to visit careers fairs, such as Framtidsmässan or Karriärmässan, and talk to companies. The fair doesn’t specifically have to focus on degree projects. You can talk to companies about them in any case. Put yourself out there! Surprisingly few people do!”
Example 2 – Lama’s degree project led to a job with Volvo
For her Bachelor’s degree project in Production and Electrical Engineering at the University of Skövde, Lama Awawda, an exchange student from Spain, designed an electric motor. The result was impressive. International companies got in touch with job offers. She is now moving back to Sweden to work as a design engineer for Volvo in Gothenburg. “It’s a dream come true,” says Lama Awawda.
Read more about Lama’s degree project
Example 3 – Sandra Olofsson focused on the public sector
In the past year, Sandra Olofsson has been studying public health science with a focus on communication and digitalisation and will soon have completed her Master’s thesis. Her subject is difficulties and solutions in quota refugees’ encounters with Sweden’s digital health service. In studying the issues, she interviewed civil servants in different municipalities about their experiences.
“For me it was important that my thesis was rooted in reality, revolving around people and questions that are currently relevant. In terms of gaining access to a field, one tip is to be very familiar with that field, partly so that you understand the problems and the vocabulary but also so that you can dive deep into it without running out of breath,” Sandra explains.
She sees it as both challenging and educational to be able to do her thesis in the field and meet people who are experts at what they do. You need to be prepared for surprises, but it opens doors to new information and new contacts too.
“I can warmly recommend that other students write their theses working with the public sector. These are services that affect everyone and you have a lot to gain personally from engaging in this area as the result is a better society for us all,” says Sandra.