Internship and Thesis at Sigma Technology Information – Interview with Nataly Vertkin & Valeriia Yudina

Introduction and Background

To start, could you share a bit about yourselves and your academic background?

N: We are second-year Master’s students in IT & Learning at the University of Gothenburg. My background is mainly in education, including teaching, program development, and management. I’ve worked in Israel and the Czech Republic.

V: I come from a background in HR, children's education, and community management. Before moving to Sweden from Ukraine, I gained experience working in various roles in these fields.

Choice of the company and internship highlights

What motivated you to apply for an internship at Sigma Technology?

N: Most of our degree was theoretical, so I really wanted to get hands-on experience. I wanted to see how a Swedish tech company works from the inside. Working with Sigma was exciting because it meant meeting consultants from different industries and getting various perspectives.

V: I want to work in business after graduating, so gaining professional experience is important. I first noticed Sigma at a university event. Then I checked your website and realized I knew the company from Ukraine, where it's considered a good employer with a strong brand.

Can you share some highlights from your internship experience?

V: Working with our mentors Margarita Iashchina , Robbie Bankel , and Ken Olausson was great. I liked that we had our own project but also regular check-ins. I felt like part of the company, which is crucial for an internship. The teamwork was excellent.

N: It was a perfect balance of independence and guidance. Sigma gave us a problem but let us choose our own approach to solve it. We drove the process but had a structure to follow. We also came to the office twice a week to network and see people, which was nicely balanced.

Master's Thesis Project

Could you give us an overview of your master's thesis project and its objectives?

N: During our internship, we developed a knowledge management solution. In our thesis, we evaluated how this solution was enacted at Sigma. We looked at the perspectives of managers and consultants to understand their views and goals.

V: We evaluated the knowledge-sharing channels we created during the internship. We interviewed employees and managers to get their feedback on knowledge management at Sigma.

How do you see this collaboration benefiting both you and our company?

V: Without our thesis, Sigma might not have explored knowledge management so deeply. Our work brought structure and evaluation to the solutions we implemented. We plan to present our findings to managers, which should be very useful for future knowledge management practices.

N: The benefits are clear. We gained valuable experience and completed our thesis, while Sigma received insights based on academic research. Given the lack of a dedicated learning department, our academic perspective added value to decision-making processes.

Company Culture and Future Opportunities

What aspects of our company culture do you find most appealing or unique?

N: I like the multicultural and diverse environment. The company’s efforts to organize events and informal activities create a welcoming atmosphere, which is important when everyone works in different places.

V: Two aspects stand out to me: the autonomy given to employees and the strong sense of community. There is no strict hierarchy, and it feels like people genuinely enjoy spending time together.

Do you see yourself pursuing future opportunities with our company after completing your studies?

N: Sure, I am open to it.

V: Yes! It would be nice to work here because we already know each other, which makes the transition easier.

Advice for Future Interns

Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to students considering an internship at our company?

V: Be ready for a lot of independence. You need to be self-motivated. We liked the autonomy, but it’s crucial to be proactive and take initiative within the assigned projects. Try to learn as much as you can, ask questions, suggest ideas, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. This is the best way to learn and grow.

N: It’s important for interns to have a partner. Working alone could be overwhelming, so having a partner or being part of a group can enhance the experience. Remember that while projects may have limitations, there’s always room to do more within them. Our initiative to conduct interviews, for example, provided invaluable insights. Taking initiative and exploring beyond the immediate scope of the project is key.

Interviewer: Margarita Iashchina

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P.S. Valeriia and Nataly have successfully defended their master’s thesis and graduated from the IT & Learning program. ?