Digital strategist at Sweco in Linköping
Louise is a digital strategist in urban and regional planning at Sweco, one of Europe’s leading consulting companies in architecture and technology. She works in the Digital Services Division, where she as a consultant participates in various assignments that vary depending on clients’ needs and the projects she is involved in.
“I do a bit of everything, and my tasks change depending on the assignments. Right now I’m working with mapping and GIS in the East Link high-speed railway project, as well as an exciting project called Varmaplatser,” says Louise.
Varmaplatser: A project for social sustainability
One of the projects that Louise is most passionate about is Varmaplatser. In this project, she works with upper secondary school students in Stockholm, involving them in identifying and suggesting how specific quays in the city can be developed and designed. The aim is to create "warm places" – areas that are perceived as inviting and safe, especially for young people.
“This project is not just about creating socially sustainable places, but also about involving teenagers in co-creation processes and giving them a voice,” says Louise enthusiastically.
“It feels meaningful to be able to influence both the city and the lives of young people.”
Variety and an opportunity to influence things
One of the aspects Louise appreciates most about her job is the wide variety of tasks. As a consultant at Sweco, she participates in several projects at the same time, which means that no two days are the same. In addition, she has the opportunity to choose which projects she wants to engage in, which gives her a sense of freedom and flexibility.
“The best thing about my job is that I have a say on which projects to work on, while at the same time feeling that I’m contributing to societal development,” she explains.
“Being part of urban and regional planning and making a difference for others is incredibly rewarding.”
Challenges in the consultancy profession
Despite all the advantages of the consultancy profession, there are also challenges. Working on assignments means that you are constantly faced with new situations, which requires a high degree of structure and planning to keep up with the pace.
“It’s challenging to be a consultant, because you often end up in situations you haven’t experienced before. But that’s also what makes you develop, both as a person and in your professional role,” says Louise.
“Keeping track of what’s happening and being able to structure your work is important to succeed.”
A winding path to working life
Louise's path to working life was not straight forward. After graduating, she worked as a traffic planner in Stockholm, but when her temporary employment ended, she was out of a job. Despite applying for many jobs, not much came of it until a former colleague contacted her and offered her hourly employment at Sweco.
“I started as an hourly employee at Sweco in the autumn of 2023, and in January 2024 I got a permanent job. It was a bit of a winding path, but it worked out in the end,” she says.
Choosing what to study: An obvious choice
However, studying urban and regional planning was not what Louise had set out to do. After upper secondary education, she considered studying to be a teacher or a nurse, but when she read about urban and regional planning at Linköping University, it resonated with her right away.
“I’ve always wanted to work with people, and when I realised that I could be involved in planning and developing sustainable cities, it felt natural to choose urban and regional planning,” she says.
After her bachelor’s degree, Louise continued on to the Master’s programme in Strategic Planning to further deepen her knowledge.
An education that broadens perspectives
Louise looks back on her studies with joy. She felt that the programme gave her a deeper understanding of how planning processes work in practice, and that the international orientation gave valuable perspectives on how urban and regional planning works in different parts of the world.
“I loved the programme, it was so educational. Sustainability was a big part of the programme, which I think is relevant regardless of what you will be working with in the future,” she says.
A rich student life in Linköping
Louise’s student life in Linköping was full of activities and involvement. She actively participated as a peer student in the reception of new students and felt that there was always something fun to be part of.
“The best thing about Linköping’s student life is that there’s something for everyone, whether you want to get involved in associations or just go to parties and events,” she says.
A tip for future students: Take the chance!
Louise’s tip to others who are considering studying Strategic Urban and Regional Planning is clear: Take the chance and apply for the programme. She stresses that the education is not only incredibly good, but also provides much more than just academic knowledge.
“I learned so much from my international classmates and their experiences of how strategic planning works in other parts of the world. This made it extra educational,” says Louise.
“And everything we learned always felt relevant, both for professional life and to understanding the world better.”