NIB trainees: A summer of learning and growth

Summer is in full swing at NIB, and our office is buzzing with the energy and fresh perspectives of our trainees. We sat down with a few of them to hear about their experiences at NIB.

Alec Mellin: A Credit Analyst’s Journey

Alec (23), a fourth-year finance and statistics student, was drawn to NIB by its commitment to sustainability and its reputable work environment.

As a Lending department trainee focusing on credit analysis, Alec’s days are filled with data entry, company screenings, and even full-blown financial analyses. His most challenging project? Analysing a wind turbine manufacturer in connection with a project finance transaction in Lithuania. “It was my first time doing a complete analysis, and I was also under some time pressure,” Alec recalls. “I really had to crunch the numbers fast and learn about the industry quickly.” He also makes a positive remark about NIB placing a lot of trust in their trainees.

Alec emphasises the importance of mentorship at NIB, noting that his experience has been smooth and seamless: “My trainee colleague Melissa and I had an untroubled onboarding process in which more senior people at the bank taught us about NIB’s business and processes. We also received a helping hand from other trainees that had been here for a longer time — they showed us the ropes and got us up to speed with the practical tasks,” Alec says. “When I did my analysis on the wind farm project, I could always count on my mentor to help me — of course, he gave me extensive training beforehand!”

Melissa Fagerlund: Balancing Studies and Responsibilities

Melissa (23), a master’s student majoring in finance, appreciates the trust and responsibility NIB places in its trainees. “NIB has confidence in their employees, which makes me very motivated,” she says. Melissa’s role is a blend of analytical and administrative tasks, from attending internal meetings to conducting pre-screenings of potential customers.

She values NIB’s flexibility, especially for trainees who are still studying. “My colleagues have always encouraged me to focus on school and have been very understanding when I’ve had to attend a lecture. I also got the opportunity to complete my mandatory university exchange. I’m very grateful that NIB was very open-minded about it,” Melissa continues.

Other aspects that Melissa highlights are NIB’s inclusive work culture and a diverse international working environment: “You might assume that only individuals from the Nordics work here, but that’s not the case! We have a very international banking environment, which I see as an advantage when you’re eyeing the international job market.”

Ellen Eskelinen: Embracing Internationality and Sustainability

Ellen (23), a master’s student majoring in accounting, has a passion for sustainability. She was drawn to NIB because of its strong focus on sustainability and its international work environment. Indeed, Ellen wrote her bachelor’s thesis on sustainability reporting, which made her curious about NIB.

Ellen is a trainee in the Sustainability and Mandate unit and is part of the climate project team, which aims to strengthen NIB’s ability to identify and manage climate-related risks and opportunities. As part of the climate project team, Ellen is involved in data collection and analysis. She appreciates the variety of tasks she’s been given and the trust her team places in her. “It’s nice that the team trusts me and gives me the freedom to do different kinds of tasks,” she says.

Walton Pihl: Diving into the Back End of the Bank’s Business in the IT & Business Services Unit

Walton (23), a finance and IT student, is spending his summer as a trainee in the IT & Business Services department’s Loan Administration unit. He values NIB’s supportive and welcoming atmosphere, where he feels comfortable asking questions and taking on new challenges.

“I feel like the colleagues here are very open to me taking part in things or projects and jumping onto new ventures. They’re very supportive when it comes to involving me. If you’re proactive about it, they give you key responsibilities as a trainee, which I feel is rare,” Walton comments.

Walton is particularly impressed by the work-life balance at NIB, which allows him to pursue his passion for sport and other activities outside work.

After two months of interning, Walton feels he has become more detail-oriented: “We deal with big sums, so every comma needs to be in the right place,” he laughs.

Walton says he will move on with his traineeship to the Lending Department to get new skills: “From September, I’ll see more of the Bank—get more perspectives and views on the Bank and develop new skills on the side of my studies.”

Tips and Recommendations from the Class of 2024

Alec says school gave him some idea of what happens in the world of finance. However, he highlights a valuable skill that is going to be useful as a trainee: “It’s very important that you listen to others — to more senior people. For example, we have weekly meetings in which different cases are presented. Listening in on the topics discussed helps you get a hang of everything.”

Melissa notes that even though she has studied finance, she didn’t do much accounting at school: “I had to pick up those skills here at NIB, but if you have the opportunity to learn about them beforehand, I think it would be useful.”

Walton says that curiosity is key as a trainee: “I think you’ll succeed if you’re actually interested in the Bank and our responsibilities in fostering a sustainable region.”

Ellen adds that you’ll have the opportunity to work with a wide range of sectors at the Bank: “If you’re looking for variety, I would definitely recommend applying to NIB.”

The NIB Experience

These are just a few of the many talented individuals who are spending their summer at NIB. In total, we have 10 trainees this summer. Their experiences highlight the unique opportunities and challenges that come with working at an international financial institution dedicated to sustainable development. Whether it’s tackling complex financial analyses, balancing work with studies, or embracing a multicultural work environment, NIB trainees are gaining valuable skills and experiences that will shape their future careers.

This article was written by Anita Algus, NIB’s 2024 Communications Trainee.

Interested in joining our team?

Keep an eye on our career page for future trainee opportunities. We’re always looking for talented and motivated individuals to join us on our mission to finance a prosperous and sustainable future.