My name is Silvia Sprängare, and I hold two bachelor’s degrees, in political science and economics, as well as a master’s degree in economics. I joined Schneider Electric through the Nordic Graduate Program, drawn by their expertise in digitalisation, electrification and automation, and for their recognition as the world’s most sustainable company for two years in a row according to TIME Magazine. I found the graduate program to be an excellent opportunity to build a strong professional network early on in my career and to learn about the different parts of the business, which has shown to be valuable as I start and develop the role of a Strategic Intelligence Junior Analyst in the Nordic Baltic Zone.
While my graduate journey is not following a conventional path, where graduates typically rotate through different functions, it has already been filled with unique experiences, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped my development in unexpected ways. I am currently halfway through the graduate program, and I invite you to see where the journey has taken me so far and where it is heading next.
A new role in a growing team
Right from the beginning, I knew this position offered a rare opportunity to kickstart my career in strategy, within a developing team at a global company. The recruitment process lasted about a month and began with video-recorded responses to a few questions, followed by a call with HR to discuss the role in more detail. The final step was a video interview with my future manager, where we discussed my background, the team’s scope and vision, and the role’s expectations. Once my contract was signed, I stopped by the office that same weekend to get a feel for the environment and my new workplace!
During my first weeks, I was welcomed by open and friendly colleagues. What stood out most was the genuine enthusiasm from leadership about having the fresh perspective of graduates joining the company. Their excitement made us feel empowered from day one. I also experienced strong support for the Zone Strategy team, which reinforced the importance of the work I was stepping into and gave me the confidence to embrace my new role from the start.
The graduate program and onboarding experience
The graduate program and official onboarding began two weeks after my first day at Schneider Electric. This year, a total of 20 graduates joined the program across the Nordics (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway) in two waves: one in May, which I was part of, and another in September. We all stepped into different junior roles that reflect our varied academic backgrounds, ranging from engineering to economics.
The onboarding experience was hosted by the Stockholm office and gave us, during two intense weeks, a proper introduction to Schneider’s mission, business, culture, values and more! We received exclusive learning sessions with experts and leaders within the Nordic Baltic organisation, had hands-on workshops, and visited client sites and distribution centres. During the evenings and weekends, we got to know each other well while doing fun activities together like bowling, canoeing, and even attending a football game. Since I am from Stockholm, I took on the role as the group’s guide and showed my new colleagues around the city centre and my favourite spots!
To begin our careers together in this way made the onboarding experience more enjoyable and helped us form a new network of colleagues and friends from around the world. When we eventually returned to our day-to-day roles in our respective countries, that shared experience continued to support and connect us. Today, we keep in touch through monthly virtual coffee meetings, each of us joining from our different offices around the Nordics, sharing the new steps we have taken on our graduate journey.
Growing into the role
Starting in a new role within a growing team has felt like joining an exciting journey. It is driven by a clear vision, even as the roadmap evolves. The learning curve has been steep but incredibly rewarding.
One exciting aspect of my role has been understanding the local impact of global megatrends. These include climate change, sustainability, and today’s dynamic macroeconomic and geopolitical situation. Helping customers navigate this is increasingly relevant to our strategic work at Schneider Electric.
In my role, I have been introduced to strategic topics and communities. This has broadened my understanding of Schneider Electric’s market positioning. Attending European-level meetings and interacting with colleagues across the continent has been eye-opening. These experiences offer valuable insights and networking opportunities at the very start of my career.
Having a broad network from day one has been particularly important. It helps me develop and understand my new role in a growing team. I am learning to navigate the complexity that a global organisation offers. This has pushed me to take greater ownership of my personal and professional growth.
What is next in my graduate experience?
The next stop in my graduate journey is visiting Schneider Electric’s offices in Grenoble. Schneider Electric has over five thousand employees there. Anecdotes from previous graduates show this visit is a great opportunity to deepen connections and continue learning. Together, we will explore Schneider’s offices, R&D centres, and production sites. One highlight will be visiting IntenCity, the world’s most sustainable building. Here, Schneider’s cutting-edge technologies for energy monitoring and distribution come to life.
I am excited to get a behind-the-scenes look at product development. This includes testing, certification, and software design. These experiences will give us a deeper understanding of the quality and sustainability embedded in Schneider’s solutions. We can bring these insights back to our roles in the Nordics. Beyond learning, I look forward to reconnecting with fellow graduates and enjoying Grenoble’s local culture. Meeting colleagues from different functions will broaden our perspective on Schneider’s global impact. We will see how technology and digitization drive sustainability forward.
As I grow in my role, I have found Schneider Electric encourages development within your scope. It also empowers you to explore new areas. I have built skills in data analytics by leveraging Schneider Electric’s investments in learning. These include free courses, mentorships, and a culture that values curiosity. With freedom and support to shape my path, I have grown in unexpected ways.
Whether you are an aspiring engineer or an economics graduate like me, the Schneider Electric Nordic Graduate Program is a fantastic launchpad. Here, learning, connection, and purpose go hand in hand.
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