Hi Sofia, What is your role at Knightec?
– I have been a software consultant at Knightec since September 2021 and am currently working full-time on assignments at Scania R&D. Next week; however, I will change positions, which will be exciting. I will stay at Scania R&D but will go from being a software developer in one team to becoming a Scrum Master in another group. In addition to my consulting role, I am also responsible for one of Knightec´s Accelerator Program, which is fantastic fun to get the chance to do.
What are your background and education? What did your path look like to the job you have today at Knightec?
– It is an exciting and fun way in. I have studied for a master’s degree in technical physics at Uppsala University, and during my studies, I was chairman of the association SIV, Uppsala’s female engineering network. Through that network, I later participated in an evening event that Knightec organized where I met Kit Gullbrandson, Business Unit Manager Systems, from Knightec. We sat and talked about leadership and teams, among other things. I became more and more curious about Knightec, and it ended up with Kit becoming my mentor. That was the way it was. Then I wrote my ex-job at Knightec simultaneously as I worked in parallel with the Accelerator Program. After graduation, I started as a consultant.
Kit became your mentor and still is today. What did mentoring mean to you?
– Wow, lots! Kit helped me make an action plan, set intermediate goals for the study time left, played ex-jobs and projects, etc. It was incredibly nice to have an external mentor in the business world who gave input and thoughts on the industry and areas that I wanted to enter and work with, and to get support and guidance linked to my thoughts on what I wanted to achieve in my career in the future was worth gold.
Tell us a little more about Accelerator Program; what is the purpose, and how does it work?
– I’m passionate about this. Every year, Knightec employs many recent graduates directly from the university after ex-employment, and the very idea of the program is to create a kickstart in working life with us. The purpose is for you as a new employee to quickly get into the corporate culture, build networks and get to know both business areas and colleagues all over the country. Knightec is a team-oriented company, so for us, this is a key to success that we work together, which is why we must take care of newly graduated people so that they quickly get into Knightec and the working-life as a consultant.
The program consists of ten different modules containing lectures and exercises divided into three areas: Technical modules, consultancy, team-based working methods, and personal development. Our experts give each class in the field or external speakers. We invest a lot in quality and content in the lectures; it should provide something in the form of insights and understanding, create curiosity and inspire. Based on the feedback we have received so far, we have succeeded well with it.
The program also includes three conferences where we meet for real (or digitally if the situation requires it) and a final “diploma task” that results in a certification in any subject that the participant chooses. Accelerator Program runs one year and starts in September each year. The goal is for all newly hired new graduates to be part of the program; it supplements the position you are looking for as a natural vitamin boost and kickstart for your career.
You have run one of the programs since the start in June 2021; what is the most significant value of the program for the participants, and Knightec would you say?
– There are many parts, but if I have to choose an advantage, I say community and family feeling. The participants quickly get to know all our offices throughout the country and our activity areas. The participants build networks and meet colleagues in all areas. I feel that the program creates a broad understanding of the entire Knightec and that in itself opens up so many career opportunities to continue to grow and develop with us.
A memory from an activity we did in the program that I think is extra strong was a team-building evening where we sat the whole gang outdoors under the stars by an open fire, such strengthens community and belonging and connects our towns and offices. Geography does not become limiting; we become much more of a company when collaborating between us. It is a fantastic way to help us use the total capacity and competence individuals possess and the driving force forward. Forward Together as we say.
Do you have an example of a “success story”?
– Yes, I know that the program has contributed to creating synergies between different places and the network of contacts that the idea is, where consultants have found new and more assignments and, above all, strengthened teams in other sites who have sought expertise in that particular area. A lot of collaboration also takes place at a distance, and with the program, we use all the expertise in-house, thanks to the fact that we also know it and understand the whole company. The possibilities are endless. Another clear example was after an evening when David Wenslandt gave a lecture and workshop on cyber security. After that evening, we heard that the participants from an entire office had talked about that they all now want to start working with cyber security. It is extremely fun to hear, and that is precisely what we want with the program, that the participants discover our specialist areas and that interest is aroused.
What does the future hold for the Accelerator Program?
– Exciting! Knightec employs several recent graduates each year, so the need for the Accelerator Program will likely persist and grow even more. Given the positive feedback we get from the program, we will continue with new groups in the coming years. Due to restrictions, we have recently adapted to the situation, but we are looking forward and hope we are through the worst soon so we can once again be seen more physically and meet. It has been a challenge to get good dialogues entirely digitally, the dynamics are a little different when you look at it for real, but I think it has exceeded expectations after all.
– I feel privileged to run one of our programs, and it gives a lot back to me. I am genuinely happy to meet everyone and see the development and the networks grow. During my studies, I have always enjoyed getting involved in different ways in the corps (Uppsala Technology and Science Corps) or networks like SIV. Having the chance to continue pursuing issues I am passionate about in working life is excellent. You get a bigger context and a common platform; it gives me so much energy! Sofia concludes.