Ekbladet 01/24

The Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics student association, HHUS is a volunteer association for all students at the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics. We are a non-political paty, non-union, and non-religious association, with the purpose of handling and supporting our members’ interests. We work towards good contact between our members, our school, and businesses.

HHUS

HHUS

HHUS

HHUSMEDIA

Editor in chief column

06

President’s column

08

34

Atersparken

Principal’s column

10

32

Education Committee + U9

30

Buisness week

Head of Marketing

11

Rickards column

12 26

E-puben 40 Anniversary

22

Hector’s column

Solve the Maze

14 17

Journey or the destination

C C C

Mahi Chottani Editor in Chief

Lisa Sånemyr President HHUS

Mats Bergman Dean USBE

Linnea Berneryd Head of Marketing HHUS

Rickard Lindberg Study cordinator

Hillary Mondonedo Head of Education HHUS

Madison Quigley Vice Head of Education HHUS

Hector Rosenzweig Head of Finance HHUS

Hanna Hörnlund

8th Semester SMP

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, I’m delighted to be stepping into the role of Editor-in-Chief for this special issue of our travel and adventure. This edition is all about exploring the theme of self-discovery and recognition—something that resonates deeply with my personal journey. This journey promises to be an exciting one, and I eagerly anticipate sharing it with you all.

Originally from India, my decision to move to Umeå, Sweden, for my studies was a leap into the unknown. The transition between continents has been both challenging and awe-inspiring.

It’s been an opportunity for immense personal growth, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone and navigate through unfamiliar territories.

Mahi Chottani Editor in Chief HHUS ekbladet@hhus.se

The diversity in culture and lifestyle between India and Sweden has been eye-opening.

Embracing this stark contrast has allowed me to reconnect with my passions and values, discovering new interests and shedding old habits.

One of the most striking aspects of this adventure has been the opportunity to connect with individuals from all corners of the globe. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and sharing our culture shock experiences of adjusting to life in Sweden has been both enlightening and enriching.

We’ve shared our culture shock moments, laughed over language barriers, and bonded over our collective love for exploration.

Let me share a humorous moment from my journey here in Umeå—imagine a vegetarian trying to navigate through the local cuisine known for its meat-heavy dishes! From trying to decipher menu items to finding inventive ways to enjoy Swedish cuisine sans meat, it’s been an adventure in itself.

As we embark on our journeys of self-discovery, it’s crucial to make space for new memories and experiences. Just like how we need to empty our recycle bins on our devices to make room for new files, part of the adventure is learning to let go of the old to welcome the new.

This issue of our magazine is a celebration of journeys—both physical and internal. It’s about the moments that shape us, the discoveries that define us, and the connections that enrich us. I hope to inspire you all to embark on your own journeys of self-discovery and adventure, whether they take you across the world or right in your own backyard. Let’s celebrate the joys of exploration and the lessons learned along the way.

So, sit back, relax, and join us as we embark on this exciting expedition of exploration and selfdiscovery.

Bon voyage!

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Lisa Sånemyr President HHUS 2024 president@hhus.se

This is the first Ekbladet of 2024 and I, as new President, would like to welcome all of you readers to a new year, new management and new HHUS! Since the theme for this edition is journeys, I see it fitting to present myself with my own journey within the association. I began my studies in 2021, right after “gymnasiet”.

Without hesitation, I decided to click the heels on my slippers three times transporting me all the way from Stockholm to, and let me quote my mom “the cold… dark…Umeå”.

I was perfectly unprepared, lost my way heading to Lindellhallen for roll call, and had no idea that we had an inspark. And what in the world is HHUS? However it did not take long untill i found the path to my own Pink Brick leaning to the third floor in Samhällsvetarhuset, together with all my friends in the HHUS family.

My first stop on the HHUS journey was in the Business Committee where I applied for a mästeristrole. I worked together with the Company Coordinator to maintain beneficial relationships with our partner companies. Our 2022 family made me realise the importance of engagement in our student association. From there, I didn’t walk that far down the road, only from mästeri to management and some of my 2022 friends came too! I stayed in the Business Committee to work on our projects as Project Coordinator and I could not prepare myself enough for the challenges that this poppy field provided. HHUS family of 2023 made me comprehend the amount of development that people can do in only a year. Now, please accompany me to 2024 and when I suddenly left the committee to fill the role as President.

Almost half of my term of office has now passed. Not many chose to follow us down the Pink Brick Road into this year, but it has allowed the organisation to gain new family members.

Now, what have I learned this far? Having oversight of almost 800 members and 60 active members, I have been able to actually see that people grow with responsibility. The purpose of HHUS is to provide personal growth and it is a pleasure to contribute to it! So where are we off to now? Unlike Dorothy, I decided to buy a pair of Icebugs and threw the magical slippers away. I too believe that “there’s no place like home”, but all the stops on my HHUS journey have now become some kind of home. My Emerald City is here in Umeå and our palace is the HHUS Lounge. Maybe this is the end of the Pink Brick Road, we still don’t know where it will lead next year. Welcome, once again, to the HHUS family of 2024!

PRINCIPAL’S COLUMN

Mats Bergman Principal USBE 2024 mats.bergman@umu.se

I källaren under UB får jag

hjälp att hitta till arkivhyllan där Ekbladets gamla utgåvor står samlade. Det har gått trettiosju år sen jag skrev min första krönika i Ekbladet, då i rollen som nyutnämnd chefredaktör. När jag bläddrar kommer minnena tillbaka. Jag minns att redaktionen var ganska stor och att vi fäste artiklar och bilder med gummilim på större ark inför tryckning. ”Vimmelbilder” från våra fester fick stort utrymme och som tur är verkar våra lustiga kommentarer ha varit ganska snälla. I 1987 års utgåvor finns också en exklusiv intervju med Olof Stenhammar, grundaren av optionsmarknaden OM, som senare köpte Stockholmsbörsen och så småningom flertalet nordiska och baltiska börser.

Men jag blir förvånad över att tonen i min första krönika var så upprörd! Det har jag inget minne av!

Jag kritiserar i hårda ordalag ett förslag från en självutnämnd konsultgrupp som vill ge styrelsen för Umekon – föregångaren till HHUS – generösa förmåner och samtidigt minska antalet ledamöter.

Konsultgruppens förslag försökte lösa problemet med alltför lågt engagemang i föreningen men jag argumenterar för en fortsatt stor styrelse och för att arbetet skulle vara ideellt. I en senare krönika blir mitt trettiosju år yngre jag förvånad över att ett arrangemang på ekonompuben tillsammans med lärarna blev så lyckat. Och, som jag minns det, så var vi engagerade och arbetade på ett seriöst sätt för studentkollegors och utbildningens bästa.

Nu är jag åter ny i rollen, den här gången som nyutnämnd rektor för Handelshögskolan. Mycket har ändrats, mycket är sig likt. Ekonomföreningen har bytt namn men föreningens tidning har kvar sitt. Gummilim vet jag inte ens om det går att köpa men säkert kommer frågan om hur engagemang skapas i en studentförening tillbaka emellanåt och kanske också frågan om balansen mellan allvar och nöje, utbildning och fest. Jag har bara precis hunnit bekanta mig med några i HHUS styrelse men av det jag sett verkar den nuvarande styrelsen minst lika engagerad som vi var på 1980-talet och kanske lite mer professionell, inte minst när det gäller samarbetet med oss anställda på Handelshögskolan.

Utan att ha gjort någon djupare analys är mitt intryck att det gått bra för dem som engagerade sig i ekonomföreningen åren kring 1987. Många av den tidens styrelsemedlemmar har gjort intressanta karriärer i näringsliv, offentlig sektor eller inom akademin. Förutom att det är roligt och att det bidrar till Handelshögskolans förbättringsarbete tror jag det är bra ur en rent självisk CV-synpunkt att delta i föreningslivet under studieåren. Många arbetsgivare sätter stort värde på ideellt arbete i föreningar och liknande. När jag själv några gånger gjort rekryteringar där ett hundratal eller fler sökt tjänsten har jag sett hur viktigt det är att ha något som sticker ut, något som får mig att lägga just den ansökan i den lilla högen, högen för dem som går vidare i processen. Min uppmaning till er som nu studerar ekonomi på Handelshögskolan är därför: engagera er! Gärna i HHUS – men annars på ett annat sätt som passar just för dig.

Mats Bergman Rektor, Handelshögskolan vid Umeå universitet

HEAD OF MARKETING How the hell did I end up here?

Stepping out from the airport into the biting embrace of the Canadian cold, me and Philippa were greeted by a towering sign that said “Welcome to Kelowna”.

It’s dark outside, but you can still make out the stately mountains in the foreground wrapped around the city.

As Philippa waved down a taxi driver, the brisk air filled us with a sense of adventure and anticipation.

Linnea Berneryd Head of marketing HHUS head.marketing@hhus.se

Our destination?

The Big White ski resort nestled in the rugged mountains of the Canadian rockies.

As the taxi wound its way along serpentine roads, the dense forest flanking our path was blanketed in a soft yet thick coat of snow. Each turn of the road was unlike the other, revealing a new view of the city getting smaller and smaller. With this scenery, my jetlagged mind started wandering and I came to ask myself:

How the hell did i end up here? How am I hurtling through the Canadian night, bound for a ski season?

Going to Canada was never a lifelong goal for me. I basically chose it solely because I loved the character Robin Scherbatsky on the tv show How I met your mother and I did at the time suck at skiing. It made no sense to go all the way across the Atlantic ocean for that reason.

But, in the midst of graduating gymnasiet, I found myself feeling at a standstill. Not very unique for a freshly brewed young adult. You are supposed to feel lost when a chapter in your life ends. But what happens in the next one? Well, in my case, that was to be a bit dumb and optimistic which for me at the time was very much not my personality. I found the flyer about ski season in Canada deep down in the recycling bin at home that I glanced by a few months earlier. The reason why? The episode with Robin at the Hoser hut. Looked fun. Fast forward 9 months, I’m in a taxi with my friend Philippa driving up the mountain while our taxi driver (who really thought Sweden and Switzerland were the same country) talks about how we are going to get eaten by coyotes.

The reason may be silly and not very thought through but it honestly has led me here, to Umeå. Never in a million years did I see myself moving 6 hours from home to an even colder climate than home as well as not knowing a single soul. Besides all of the amazing memories Canada gave me, it taught me to try stuff. If I don’t try, well how will I know that I don’t like it?

RICKARD’S HÖRNA Trends 2024 and boosting energy for the rest of the year An area in rapid transition so perhaps changes have already affected this 6 month old input from The Economist - world of 2024.

AI. According to consulting firm McKinsey, 75% of companies’ use of generative AI will be in four areas: customer operations, marketing and sales, software development and R&D. How will that potentially affect your focus area in business. New opportunities, new processes, changes in KPI:s or something else?

Rickards Lindberg Study coordinator USBE Rickard.Lindberg@umu.se

Not everyone is rushing into the AI hype the same way. The Economist paints three personas, the Enthusiasts, the Cautious and the Reluctant. Which type are you?

A researcher at Umeå University emphasized to an external audience mid spring not to.

How about using ChatGPT as your business strategist?

One year ago in an experiment published in MIT Sloan Management review the turnout was “interesting input but less actionable than human ideas”. Good follow-up questions however made generated ideas more interesting.

A more crucial outcome was however that more experienced strategist could benefit more from the technique. You thus might conclude that your on-going education and some hands-on experience on top of that will continue to be of high importance even if new tools appear. The article also addressed that HOW an idea is communicated is often the most important ingredient is success so training your rethorics/presentation skills is a hot tip.

Risks. Outside of the tech industry, only 1/3 of the world’s managers use generative AI (McKinsey).

“Hallucinating” chatbots and legal uncertainty are seen as risks. Reluctance from employees is also an obstacle.

How about the effects on the labor market? No worries short term according to the Economist; “As the baby boomers retire, the available workforce shrinks rapidly. Anyone who wants and can work is an increasingly valuable asset (even in the age of AI development)...Whatever happens in 2024, the world’s labor markets will likely remain red-hot’. Perhaps the above statement is not something we cannot agree with here and now but sounds promising looking forward at least.

Sustainability -same, same or different? It seems as we need to become a bit more creative; “To make the circular carbon low economy a reality, we must resist the impulse to do things the way they’ve always been done”. Besides that I urge you all to keep on eye on the CSRD framework which has the potential to both be a positive force but that also will ad additional aspects to many job roles in the years ahead as a business graduate.

Fresh example from “the field” (where you all can participate going forward)

The following bullets summarizes the last session from the marketing association in Umeå (where not all seats for HHUS were booked, how come? It is a great opportunity for new insights or examples to connect to your education). Even if this was a marketing event I would argue the bullets are valid for a broader application in business strategy also (given that is was told by a consultant so some bias of course). How we collect, structure, analyze and act on data is for sure an area to keep your eyes on. (hope you know that you can access, practice and potentially certify in Microsoft Power Platform as an extracurricular activity if you would like to) 1. We need to use models to be able to go from data to insights (and an awareness of model flaws) 2. We will see increasing demands on measurability and applicability within insight work (so good if you are able to scrutinize those from a critical perspective when you graduate and not just accept existing ones).

3. The basic truths surrounding people’s decisionmaking processes and mental restrictions do not change very much, but the opportunities to preach and influence them are in constant development (..so get to know existing and upcoming tools during your study time).

4. Both technology, approaches and methods are constantly being developed, but the fundamental question must always be: how do we transform the insights into a common language and how can we act practically based on them? (from buss words to every day actions so an operative mindset is great).

Let us together continue bouncing back to our full potential in engagement!

If not as a rollercoaster, at least as a winding road from year to year when it comes to pulse and engagement on campus. I personally believe that we together can reach higher than where we are today if we continue to meet, talk and put a bit more of the ideas to action. I know a lot is ”bubbling” in social activities but am more than happy to engage in dialogues on more professionally oriented activities.

I look forward to seeing a new team of finance students competing in CFA Research Challenge this autumn. I hope to see new rounds of Innovation Boot Camp, Sustainergies Academy and of course HHUS Business week (great initiative). Which other forms of arenas, interactions etc would we like to see? From our side we of course aim to present some alumni talks and also some alumni mentoring you can apply for. A dialogue on desired topics you would like to hear is more than welcome, just contact me.

What are your visions of studying at our business school and how do we raise the bar to a level where your/our competitiveness is aligned with that? A bit of positive stretch in goals could be an interesting trigger for how we all act in the campus environment.

For the upcoming summer, perhaps listen in on a pod or two within your areas of interest.

Experterna och #Nytttänk are two that has at some interesting episodes in my view.

I summarize this chronicle with a music tip as usual, this time aligned with a goal for an interactive autumn; ”Tell me what you´re thinking” with Mighty Oaks. Perhaps I will return with the theme of feedback in the next issue.

As usual, keep an eye on emails from Career Center through information@usbe.umu.se and as always you are welcome to contact me at rickard.lindberg@umu.se when you want to discuss initiatives for activities, personal development opportunities, job considerations and the future labor market.

Solve The Maze Very easy

Easy

Exit

Medium

Exit

Hard

Vi vill skapa de bästa förutsättningarna för våra medarbetare att trivas på jobbet. Utvecklande arbetsuppgifter, trevliga kollegor och möjlighet att bygga sin egen karriär är naturligtvis viktigt.

Men det personliga välbefinnandet står också i fokus. Därför erbjuder vi aktiviteter som hjälper våra medarbetare att stärka sin mentala, fysiska, sociala och finansiella hälsa. Det kan till exempel vara yogaklasser eller en app som uppmanar till korta pauser under arbetsdagen med förslag på träningsövningar. Det kan även vara föreläsningar om sömn- och kostvanor eller hur man hanterar pensionssparande och försäkringar.

Vill du veta mer om hur det är att arbeta på EY? Följ oss på Instagram @eysecareers eller besök våra karriärsidor på ey.com

© 2021 Ernst & Young AB. All Rights Reserved. A21014se

När våra medarbetare mår bra, mår EY bra

THE JOURNEY OR THE DESTINATION BY - MADISON QUIGLEY

Madison Quigley Vice Head of Education HHUS vice.education@hhus.se

Traveling often allows us all to discover more about ourselves than we realize. The world really is our classroom. As we enter new places, we can reflect on culture, perspective, who we are, who we aspire to be, finding the things we enjoy, where we want to live, what about ourselves comes from the culture we are submerged in, and daring to experience a place that can provide insights beyond the sites you wish to see.

To travel comes with bravery. You step into a new place, step outside of your comfort zone, are forced to look within, unfamiliar surroundings and faces, freedom to discover, sometimes even to escape the everyday paths we walk in life, allowing us to reflect on, how we wish to leave our mark in this world.

Travel can be as simple as taking the road less traveled. Sparing hours in your day to discover the city you live in with a fresh set of eyes. You can live somewhere for years, and never know that something existed. If you walk (on a warm day, or with the proper clothes here in Sweden), with no destination in mind you may find hidden gems tucked away outside of your natural routine.

Some also wish to experience the world beyond the city they live in for numerous reasons.

Perhaps you have a bucket list of destinations that was curated to your own preferences. Maybe you are looking for a sunny and relaxing getaway. Some look to travel for: cultural experiences, new food to enhance the taste buds, visit historical sites to reflect on the past, meet new people, challenge themselves, or even for the beauty of nature in a new place. You can gain a lot of perspective by traveling when you experience different ways of life, finding similarities in a cross-culture context, you are able to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity in our world, alongside recognizing your own identity in such a vast world.

The reasons to travel are both universal and incredibly personal as we all travel for different reasons, while also experiencing the worldthrough the lenses of our own perspective.

As a student we may place a strong emphasis on affordability when considering booking a trip. Just as importantly we also take into consideration the sustainability of the travel options. With these things in mind, we can use a simple mind map to assist in the journey of travel. This relies on internal reflections, as well as external considerations.

Mind Map Guide Step 1 of the mind map is simple; do you want to travel? If you answer yes, you continue. If you answer no, then your road does not have to end there you can still reflect and consider how you wish to better experience the city that you live in (the city of Umeå).

Step 2 of the mind map requires some personal reflection to answer the question: why do you want to travel? There are some potential reflections to consider when answering this question to help you further in the process. Do you want to travel to learn more about yourself? To step outside of your comfort zone? Maybe even to become more independent. You may wish to experience a new culture, taste new foods, the options behind why you wish to travel are limitless.

Step 3 of the mind map is then to determine what kind of traveler you are. Do you overpack, and value luxury? Do you wish to backpack and see as many places as possible in a limited amount of time? Are you spontaneous or a Type A planner? Are you someone that values tourist locations, or do you wish to travel and experience a city like a local? Do you prefer to travel alone, and dare to meet new people along the way, or do you prefer to have a travel companion and keep to yourself as much as possible? Do you value the city experiences or being submerged in nature? These questions help determine the best destinations for you to visit, how much planning you must do, and what to look for when you are booking your travels.

Step 4 of the mind map is determining what you consider most when travelling.

Some examples are sustainability, affordability, a combination of both, or even considering if you wish to travel more like a local or a tourist. If you are someone who prioritizes sustainability, then starting with travel by train and finding all the possible destinations you can reach is a great starting point. Alongside this you can consider public transportation, find bikes within a city, which also coincides with affordable travel. You can stay in eco-friendly accommodations and look for green certifications or practices when booking. Another option that coincides with affordability is to stay in a hostel, this is not necessarily for luxury travelers, but it is great for students who dare to be social and meet others from around the world, extending your network of worldly connections. Packing light helps to travel sustainably and is also an affordable option. Travel outside of the peak season, you not only can save money, but you can also experience wonderful places that are often crowded otherwise. Using SAS to fly also has both sustainable and affordable options. They have student discounts, youth tickets, sustainable travel options, and details about their sustainability practices. When focusing on sustainability be sure to conduct research and look at sustainability reporting with detailed reports coupled with ESG. Likewise, there are many ways to sign up to be notified for the best deals if you are searching for affordable options.

Traveling is a beautifully unique experience, using a mind map is one of the ways to expand your thoughts when considering where you want to go and why. You can learn many things about yourself when discovering a new place. My most valuable lesson is that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Step One: Do you want to travel?

No

Yes

Step Two: Reflect on why it is you want to travel?

Experience a new culture

History, nature, food, or meeting new people.

Go to a location with a warmer climate.

Learn more about yourself/challenge yourself.

Bucket list destination.

Step Three: What kind of traveler are you?

THIS OR THAT Light Packer Overpacker

V

Spontaneous

Travel Alone

Local

Luxury

City

Plan Everything

Travel with Others

Tourist

Deal Finder

Nature

Step Four: What do you consider most when travelling?

Sustainability

Affordability

Combination of Affordability and Sustainability

Local or tourist

Exploring the Journey of The Finance Group As The Finance Group celebrates two decades, I felt it’s fitting to reflect on our journey throughout the years. After painstakingly sifting through twenty years of Ekbladet archives I hope to be able to share the history of our group.

1990 - 2002 - The Origins of The Finance Group

2004 - A Fresh Start

2007 - A Vision Realized

During the years running up to the IT-bubble a finance association at Umeå University was formed. This association, named “Finansföreningen”, was composed of about 150 active members at its peak. The association arranged numerous events for the students at Umeå University, had a dedicated office with a number of computers and expensive trading software for its members.

Finansföreningen was once regarded as one of the top finance associations in Sweden, however as the IT-bubble burst the association faced challenges, ultimately leading to its dissolution.

After the demise of Finansföreningen, USBE was one of the only Swedish business schools without a student-led forum within finance. So, in 2004 Anders Sandlund together with Jimmy Renström decided to pick up the leftovers of the old association, and started “Finansgruppen” as a section within HHUS. The vision for this committee was clear: to promote financial literacy and interests among all HHUS members, with the aspiration to eventually invest on behalf of the HHUS association.

The year 2007 marked a pivotal point for Finansgruppen, under the stewardship of Felix Von Bahr. As previously mentioned, the vision was always to one day invest on the behalf of HHUS, however, it was not an easy sell. Reading through old emails from 2007 reveals that Felix Von Bahr worked tirelessly to convince the HHUS board at the time to let the group open an account with Avanza and receive a capital infusion. Through his adamant persuasion, he secured authorization for Finansgruppen to allocate and invest a part of HHUS capital.

2012 - Bridging the Gap

2022 - Setting the Foundation

As those interested in finance may already know, the opportunities to interact with financial institutions is sparse in Umeå. This has always been an issue for finance oriented students at Umeå University, which is why Daniel Gustavsson’s efforts should be highlighted.

He had a vision that once every year HHUS members would have the opportunity to interact with finance institutions in Stockholm. Thanks to his efforts the Finance Trip is now an annual occurrence.

When Max Kaing took over the position of Head of Finance the group experienced a period of stagnation. Finansmästeriet had for almost half a decade focused more on the investing part of our objectives, and missed the importance of also promoting the financial interests of HHUS members. Max Kaing’s spearheaded initiatives modernized the Finance Group’s foundations and improved transparency.. He was able to secure approval for an Instagram account (hhus.finance) and layed efforts on enhancing the quality of the annual Finance Trip. Furthermore he understood the importance of group cohesion, and made a point of fostering friendships through regular social gatherings.

2014 - Pushing for Improvements Up to this point, Finansgruppen (then operating under a new name, “Finansmästeriet”) was limited to investing solely in index and mutual funds. The ambition of the group had always been to be able to invest in individual stocks, although no one had previously been able to convince the boards of HHUS. However, under John Skarin’s leadership he was able to persuade the HHUS board at the time to give the group a mandate to invest directly into individual stocks.

His efforts are worth highlighting, as it gave finance interested students at Umeå University the means to gain meaningful experience in investments.

2017 - Breaking Barriers What some may regard as a small footnote, I would argue is one of the most important parts of our group’s history. In 2017 Julia Bohner became the first female Head of Finance for Finansmäteriet. During her tenure she made enormous efforts in fostering the finance interest of HHUS members through countless events.

Furthermore, she was able to dramatically increase the interest of finance for all genders, inspiring more females to pursue a career in finance.

2024 - Moving Forward In assuming the role of Head of Finance, I aim to build upon the foundation laid during Max Kaing’s tenure. This year, we’ve undertaken significant steps to enhance our brand identity. One notable change is our transition from ‘Finansmästeriet’ to ‘The Finance Group,’ accompanied by the development of a new logo that better reflects our mission. Additionally, we’re committed to fostering greater financial literacy and engagement among all HHUS members.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my predecessor Max Kaing and to all the members within the group. It’s an honor to assume this responsibility and have an active role in such an exceptional group of people.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out on our Instagram @hhus.finance or through email at Head.Finance@hhus.com.

Best Regards, Hector Rosenzweig Head of Finance, The Finance Group

The step out into the labor market - results and reflections from graduated students

We perform a yearly follow up survey 1-1,5 years after graduation on our undergraduate programs. (and getting started on Master level where follow up have been a bit more scarce).

We see good numbers overall when we follow up on how the step out into the labor market looks like for those who take their Civilekonom degree in Umeå. Then, of course, one can ask whether this means that you should just relax or whether there can be approaches to mindset and activities to learn from the answers in the survey.

From top years with around 75% response rate, this year we fell to 53% (I hope you contribute to raising it again when it’s your turn). 95% in work within 6 month after graduation are rather stable figures year to year. 69% had a job ready before graduation. Factors such as chosen place of residence, specialisation, experiences, etc. of course might affect on individual basis.

There are still many people who get their first job by applying for a classic advertisement.

However, networks and LinkedIn as channels are increasing. Here, I often see alumni who post openings for new positions at their companies, so being linked to older students could be a good idea for several reasons.

9/10 say they are satisfied with the match between their education and first job, which is of course gratifying. In addition to the sheer numbers themselves, I also try to open up to bring in professional roles and some reflections and comments as possible input for those of you who are studying now to absorb. You of course build your unique journey based on your goals and expectations for working life, but hopefully the experiences of other former students can contribute in different ways and perhaps open up for relevant reflections and actions.

There is a selection of comments from the survey in recent years that you also find in the full report you should have gotten on your email. Welcome to get in touch if you have any questions.

WORK AFTER GRADUATION – FOLLOW-UP SURVEY FROM BUSINESS PROGRAMS AT UMEÅ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & STATISTICS

SOME SELECTED PARAMETERS 2018 -2023 (SVAR I %) 100

95

93

90 80

*

70

70 60

*

54

53

50 40 30

23

21

20 10 0

0 Svarsfrekvens Response rate

Andel i arbete Respondents In work

2

Vidare Furtherstudier studies after 4 years 2018

* The surveys were carried out 6-8 months later than in previous years

Arbete innan Work settled examen before graduation

Matching between Matchning education and studier-jobb jobb OK to =>OK excellent

ArbetsortinWorking Stockholm Stockholm

2019

2021

2022

2020

2022

Arbetsort Working in Västerbotten Umeå/ Västerbotten

Kanal förjob jobb Got my Nätverk through network

Work at E-puben Are you interested in working at E-Puben? This is your chance!

While working at E-Puben, you’ll get to meet new friends, hang out with the workers and guests, get a free dinner and take part in the point system we have.

So what is the point system?

When you are working an event, you will get a point that you can use to skip the queue next time at the same type of the event.

Work an EPP → skip the line at one EPP Work a trubba → skip the line at one trubba Work a sittning → get a guaranteed ticket to a sittning … and so on!

Sign up via Orbi, or contact Hannes Arefalk, vice.epuben@hhus.se, if you have any questions!

40 years Anniversary

Business week 2024

“If you are not joining Umeå Business Week, you are missing out!”

A way to step out of the student bubble and prepare the best start to your career, that’s what comes to my mind when I hear Umeå Business Week.

Hanna Hörnlund, 8th semester SMP

When I got the notification that HHUS would be organizing a brand new event, an event where you get the chance to connect with attractive employers in Umeå, I embraced the opportunity right away and signed up. As I am at the end of my studies, I felt that this is a chance I can’t miss before I graduate. I was looking forward to see what Umeå has to offer in terms of career jobs. Previously, I thought that it was Stockholm, Gothenburg or some other larger city further south that I would have to move to in order to get a good start on my career, but oh how wrong I was! In Umeå is where things happen!

After everything I have experienced from Umeå Business Week, I understand that it is HERE where the opportunities are. This is where companies understand that they have to fight extra to attract goal focused and committed students with career dreams. They fight extra by working with really good company cultures and values, good opportunities for skill development and career development, nice benefits, proud employees and much more. There is so much I take away from this event, and much that I did not expect! A good example of that is that I didn’t think that I would get to meet other driven students during the event week who are also curious about what career opportunities are available here. In addition to making contact with the companies, we students were also able to make contact with each other and get to know one another. It’s something I realize now during the degree project when I’m in the middle of looking for and finding a job, that having a wide network makes it so much easier to find a dream job.

In addition to the company visits that we had to make where we had exclusive conversations with HR managers, company leaders and employees, the icing on the cake was to end the week with free entry to the day at Umeågalan. It was a day filled with inspiration and opportunities for conversation with what felt like the entire business world Umeå.

In conclusion, to you who are reading this, regardless of whether you have just started studying or are at the end of your studies, regardless of whether you see a future in Umeå after graduation or want to rush home to the big city - Umeå Business Week is an opportunity for you as a student to broaden your network and make contacts, open your eyes to different career paths and understand how you can make yourself as attractive as possible during your studies before you have to look for a job after graduation.

Dare to do it!

Meeting a role model within leadership, Jenny Ekbäck, at Umeågalan.

The journey of making Education Committee sexy One of the many aspirations, and challenges, for the Education Committee this year has been to make the committee sexy again. You might think “Again? Has it ever been sexy?” and my answer, as the HoE of HHUS, would be that… I actually have no clue and that you also might have a point there. Even so, there always has to be a first time. So, let me take you along our journey to make this hidden gem, that we call the Education Committee, sexy again!

Throughout the years there have been many opportunities for the committee and the members to interact.

Events such as ‘SM i Ekonomi’ and ‘Speak Up’ have been headliners for the Education Committee for several years. Since last year we have also gotten the opportunity to work together with the Finnish business school in Vasa to organise Finnkampen. Since I am in my rookie year I never had the opportunity to experience these events before BUT… as a true economy student an analysis was made and trends were reviewed. Conclusion?

These events could use a revamp!

Unfortunately, this year, the odds weren’t in our favour when it came to ‘SM i Ekonomi’. Many were not able to participate due to the unfortunate timing of being in the same week as our exams. Fret not my dear friends, next year is another year for redemption!

For Speak Up and Finnkampen… these two events are set to be revamped and made more interacting, educational and fun (yes, believe it or not, education and fun can go hand in hand). The members of the Education Committee are working hard to create more and better events. Keep an eye out for them throughout the year!

As the HoE (Head of Education) of HHUS I have personally tried my best to lead by example and put ourselves out there. Everyone in the committee has done an amazing job so far and being proud is an understatement. So many new and fun things have been happening within the committee and we are preparing to share so much more with everyone.

If you ever see any of us don’t hesitate to come say hello and have a little chat, we don’t bite!

Återsparken

- Hillary Mondonedo Head of Education Commitee

U9

Återsparken

The HHUS M The Presidum

President Lisa Sånemyr

Vice President Josephine Sundewall

Board Advisor Julia Trifunovski

The Business Commitee

Head of Business Alice Lidström

Company Coordinator Knut Jansson

Vice Head of Business Joel Norum

Sales Coordinator Folke Nyberg

Consult Coordinator Engla Engman

Company coordinator Fredrik Blanck

Project Coordinator Simandra Maniea

Sponsorship General Aylar Cheshmmish

The Education Commitee

Head of Education Hillary Mondonedo

Vice Head of Education Madison Quigley

Education Monitor IBP Education Monitor Suvi Merikaarto SM Eric Back

Management “2024” Education Monitor HLP Selma Henriksson

Education Monitor IBEP Aya Nehme

Education Monitor CEP Sofia Forsberg

The Marketing commitee

Head of Marketing Linnea Berneryd

Business Communicator Meis De Haan

Media General Anni Loukasmäki

Vice Head of Marketing Maja Hallgren

Editor In Chief Mahi Chottani

E-puben Communicator Nea Nyberg

Social Communicator August Fast

Webmaster Lisa Nilsson

Content Director Frida Olovsson

The Economy Commitee

Head of Economy Gustav Öman

Controller Gideon Enquist

Vice Head of Economy Filip Sahlen

Master of Finance Hector Rosenzweig

Chief Accountant Clara Cederblad

Economy Manager E-Puben Alva Bandling

The Social Commitee

Head of Social Sofia Bergström

Vice Head of Social Johanna Son

Master of Ceremonies Julia Bergman

Master of Event Elin Pipkorn

Master of Spex Maria Lovric

Social Communicator August Fast

Head General Felicia Linno

Event General Zacharias Pettersson

Master of Sports VACANT

The E-puben commitee

Head of E-puben Clara Hålling

Vice Head of E-puben Hannes Arfalk

Booking Manager Lovina Heallström

Beverage Manager Samuel Larsson

Interior Designer Adam Jonsson

Entertainment Manager Max Davidsson

Event Manager Saga Gejskog

Event Manager Emilia Salomonsson

Economy Manager Alva Bandling

Logistics General Andreas Hensdal

Food Manager Rasmus Hammarström

Event Manager Lovisa Wallin

E-puben Communicator Nea Nyberg