Since February 1, 1985, Annica Sääf Andersson has welcomed visitors, new employees and students to the University of Skövde. She is now the person who has worked the longest at the University and says that she has stayed thanks to strong development and nice colleagues.
Annica Sääf Andersson grew up in Södra Ryd, in the northern part of Skövde, and started her working life at the County Labor Board. There she worked as an assistant in the Emergency department and helped in the switchboard. When the University called the County Labor Board and asked if they had someone who could come and help at the University, Annica changed jobs. In 2025, she has worked here for 40 years.
“I was given a temporary appointment and would help with everything possible, mostly finances and personnel. We did not run any invoices or salaries ourselves, but processed the documentation here. The Vice-Chancellor at the time, Lars Erik Johansson, signed every single invoice by hand,” says Annica.
At that time, the number of employees at the University was around 50 people, and the Chancellery was located near Skövde City Hall. Now Annica is the person who has worked the longest at the University of Skövde.
“When Alf Svensson, a technician at the University who had been with us since the beginning in 1977, quit a couple of years ago, it felt a little sad. I felt alone in some strange way. But then I think about the development there has been at the University. I have worked with finance and personnel, at Student Services and as a Head of School Secretary. The University is developing and wants to move forward, something is happening all the time and that is a lot of the reason why I am staying.”
Over the years, much has developed and changed at the University of Skövde. When Annica worked at the School of Engineering Science, the printers took up half a room. The first switchboard also looked different.
“Imagine a computer, although it's a wooden box, with a handset. And then it had a tiny screen where incoming calls could be seen. The connections were three digits. We are now in the process of procuring a cloud switchboard, a system we hope to switch to during the autumn. It has been an incredible journey to see how technology has changed over almost four decades.”
How has the work in the switchboard changed since 1985?
“Naturally, there are higher demands on the technology now. There is a big difference today, even if you compare it to just five years ago. Before the big dates, such as the application deadline and the start of the semester, we were constantly on the phone. We had lots of calls and that's not the case today. But for some people who have disabilities, speech may be the only reasonable channel, so it's important that we exist.”
“Meeting people is the best part of the job”
The amount of calls has decreased in recent years, from 800 on a busy day to around 100. Instead, Annica spends her time with system maintenance, referrals, voicemail, subscriptions and information to employees. In addition, she receives visitors at the reception. For Annica, meeting people is what makes work at the University meaningful. As the unofficial welcoming committee for new employees, she and colleague Åsa Jonsson play an important role in creating a sense of community and belonging.
“Meeting people is the best part of the job. We are very good colleagues here. Above all, we have a good collegial atmosphere. The people who work at the University are the big win for me.”
Except we're bad at redirecting incoming calls when we can't answer the phone?
Annica sighs deeply.
“Yes. There is much to be desired there. I was very diplomatic now.”
How many employee phone numbers do you have in your head?
“It is many. I can't say the exact number. Maybe barely half, around 250.”
Do you know my number?
"Yes I do."
