International students connect with SCA to explore future careers

As part of the Lucia celebration, the students enjoyed coffee and an inspiring discussion about future work opportunities in Västernorrland. The event was organized by Bron Innovation and Mid Sweden University as part of the project International Expertise for Regional Growth in Västernorrland.

These gatherings give us a fantastic opportunity to meet people from different industries who can help us navigate this new environment

The students, studying master’s programs in fields such as computer engineering and electrical engineering, met with SCA representatives to learn about the company’s wide-ranging operations, current skill demands, and recruitment processes. The discussions also highlighted the variety of IT and technical roles available within the company, which was appreciated by the students.

- These meet-ups are extremely valuable for us international students. Living in a new country, we are unfamiliar with its culture, work environment, and way of life. Most things are new, so we need to understand all aspects of both professional and personal life. These gatherings give us a fantastic opportunity to meet people from different industries who can help us navigate this new environment, says Elavenil Santhosh Kumar, a master’s student in electrical engineering at Mid Sweden University.

Bron Innovation opened the session by presenting the project’s goal: to build bridges between international students and the regional business community. The initiative comes in response to growing skills shortages in both the green and digital transitions, as Västernorrland faces major industrial investments and an increasing need for highly educated professionals.

During the event, Erika Svensson, Skills and Development Strategist at SCA, shared insights on how the company works with talent development and what qualities they seek in future employees. Filip Smedjegård from SCA’s IT department also spoke about his journey from student to employee, including experiences from summer jobs during his studies.

- As one of the largest employers in the region, we want to tell people about SCA and who we are and get to know the international master's students. We are always interested in recruiting talented employees, says Erika Svensson, skills and business developer at SCA:s IT department.

The meeting also encouraged dialogue about students’ career aspirations and challenges during their studies. Many highlighted the need for more connections with companies, increased knowledge of Swedish workplace culture, and more opportunities for internships, thesis projects, or summer jobs – ideally with English-language options.

About the project

International Expertise for Regional Growth in Västernorrland runs from May 2025 to June 2026. It aims to create new pathways from education to employment by combining international master’s programs with a trainee model in regional companies. The project is funded by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and Region Västernorrland, with Bron Innovation as project owner and Mid Sweden University as partner.