See how one student ambassador is bridging the gap between tech and university

At Ericsson Sweden, we run the award-winning Uni Team program, designed to strengthen our employer brand by engaging university students as ambassadors. For the past 10 years, students selected from five key technical universities in Sweden have represented Ericsson on their campuses by organizing and participating in various brand activities. Each Uni Team includes four students who have gone through a thorough selection process. They are chosen based on their field of study, expected graduation date, personality, involvement in student organizations, and interest in Ericsson.

During the school year, students work part-time while balancing their studies, but in the summer, they have the opportunity to work full-time as interns. The role of the students is to connect Ericsson with universities through different activities and company-hosted events that engage early-career groups, students, external professionals, as well as Ericsson employees.

Vilma Sterner shares insights from her experience over the last two years in the Uni Team program and internship at Ericsson.

Meet Vilma

Vilma is a dedicated fourth-year engineering mathematics student at Lund University of Technology, pursuing a master’s degree in machine intelligence and image analysis. Vilma’s strong passion for mathematics and programming inspired her to switch from biomedical engineering to engineering mathematics, as she realized that these fields truly ignited her enthusiasm.

Vilma Sterner, Research and Development Intern, took on student ambassador responsibilities. Image courtesy of Vilma Sterner.

Working as a student ambassador for Ericsson

Vilma became a student ambassador at Ericsson in March 2023, representing the company at numerous fairs and events on her campus. “For example, we hosted a dinner event in collaboration with one of the associations at the university, where we invited 15 women engineers to talk about their professional experiences,” says Vilma.

She is currently responsible for helping students understand what to expect from an internship at Ericsson and to share available career opportunities with them. "During the semester, we organize several activities and sometimes hand out coffee on campus, engaging with students and sharing opportunities at Ericsson, including available internships and thesis projects. It’s a part-time job along with my studies,” says Vilma.

Vilma also took on additional responsibilities as a student ambassador. “Students often reach out to us with questions about my internship or for advice on applying for certain jobs. So, I’ve become sort of a mentor for many students looking for career guidance.”

Interns Filip Dimitrijevic and Vilma Sterner standing at the Kista Innovation Park. Image courtesy of Vilma Sterner.

The summer experience

This summer, Vilma worked at Ericsson's Kista Innovation Park, where various startup projects are in progress. “I'm working on a project called Connected Beehives, where we’re using 5G and modern technology to keep a closer eye on beehives. My role involves adding a microphone inside the hive to analyze the sounds. What’s cool about this is that you can actually pick up on different sound patterns that tell you a lot about the hive’s status. It’s an exciting project!”

She has also been responsible for organizing social activities for summer workers, fostering a sense of community, and providing networking opportunities for the interns at Ericsson’s headquarters in Kista.

“Our goal is to ensure that interns enjoy a rewarding experience, both professionally and socially. Since some interns may not interact with others during work, it’s important to seek opportunities to connect with peers and have fun. That’s why the Uni Team has been responsible for organizing events, such as after-work gatherings, quizzes, or coffee break sessions with all interns once a week. They really appreciate these activities and take the chance to connect with others.”

Confidence and skill growth

Vilma says that the most rewarding part of working for Ericsson is the opportunity to learn and develop within a large company, as well as meet and learn from people with different roles and experiences.

“My confidence has grown incredibly during my time at Ericsson. By joining a multinational company, engaging with so many people, and working on my projects, I’ve discovered both what I want to pursue in the future and what I would prefer to avoid. Through my projects, I saw what I was good at, resulting in my abilities and confidence to improve. I have learned a great deal about various career paths by speaking to people who have interesting roles.”

She also noted that being a student ambassador taught her to take initiative. “I feel confident expressing my thoughts, trusting my skills, and understanding what works and what doesn’t.”  

“My two tips would be to ask as many questions as you can and be comfortable with not understanding everything. Find some reassurance in the fact that the focus of an internship should be to learn, take time, and get into the company. Also, attending events, socializing, and finding like-minded connections are important. In a company as big as Ericsson, participating in events can be very helpful.”

Future aspirations

Vilma envisions a bright future for herself at Ericsson. “I want to keep pace with the development of AI because I think the future of AI is very exciting, and being a part of that progression would be cool. I also have a strong desire to travel and share insights into my work and Ericsson’s initiatives. I believe that many people of my generation are not fully aware of what Ericsson does. That’s why I want to help spread that information by giving presentations and discussing the progress we’re making, as well as my role in it.”

While Vilma looks forward to continuing her journey with Ericsson and contributing to the company’s success, she is extremely excited for her next semester, which she will be spending in Japan on an exchange program.

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