From lost to found: A journey of discovery for two Early Career Program (ECP) graduates

Natalie Syrén Grönfelt and Conrad Lowe are both part of the recent batch of our global Early Career Program (ECP), which has two tracks, Innovate and Excellerate. Natalie began her career with Ericsson as an engineer in Sweden and joined ECP as an Innovate participant. With previous work experience in strategy, Conrad relocated from Canada to Sweden to pursue a career change and explore the vast opportunities in Ericsson as an Excellerate participant. They both journeyed through ECP over 18 months and completed three rotations in different locations and roles.

The current ECP cohort met for the first time in August 2023 at the Ericsson headquarters in Kista, Sweden for the program kick-off. At the time, Conrad had just moved to Sweden, while Natalie had made an internal switch within Ericsson, moving from one business area to another.

In Conrad’s words: “The kick-off was a whirlwind of excitement as we met 26 driven and talented individuals who would be embarking on the same journey together for the next 18 months. Initially, getting to know each other seemed like a daunting task, but we formed bonds quickly. I felt a genuine connection with the group and knew I was part of something truly special. The week flew by as we learned about the various business areas and some of the most pressing issues facing the industry. We were prepared to take on the challenge of our initial rotations.”

 “Meeting all my peers in person was incredibly exciting. We come from different backgrounds—some from within the company, others externally, and some fresh out of university. It is a diverse group, each with unique strengths and personalities. The kick-off highlighted the importance of embracing our individuality and showcasing our strengths while promoting authenticity and vulnerability,” agrees Natalie.

ECP group in Ericsson headquarter

Embark on a journey of growth: insights and inspiration from young leaders at Ericsson

Conrad has fond memories of his first rotation. “My first rotation was as a Strategy Manager in Business Area Technologies & New Businesses. My focus was divided between providing strategic insights and advice to some of our smaller internal incubation units and building a business case and market analysis for the market entry of one of the larger adjacent businesses established by Ericsson. While learning extensively about Ericsson and some of the adjacent markets we are looking to compete in, I was able to sharpen my analytical and strategic storytelling skills,” he says.

Natalie joined Ericsson in 2021 as a Software Developer in Research and Development (R&D). “In fact, I discovered ECP through GenNext, a community for young talent within Ericsson. My journey began in a business area, focusing on radio as a Product Development Leader,” she recalls. In her first rotation, Natalie was responsible for project management and continuous improvement. The role gave her unbelievable insights into one of Ericsson’s most popular and highly venerated products. As she says: “Throughout this rotation, I got to learn more about one of Ericsson’s main products, product development, and stakeholder management.”

Six months after the in-person kick-off in Sweden and their initial rotation, the cohort met again, this time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They learned more about the business and trends in the emerging markets.

ECP in Malaysia

Following the completion of their learning module, Conrad stayed back in Malaysia to begin a rotation in the Market Area Southeast Asia Oceania & India (MOAI) strategy team. Meanwhile, Natalie moved to Melbourne, Australia to take on the role of an Account Manager.

Spreading wings across Continents: Embracing new challenges and redefining ambitions

It was an exciting time for both ECPs. After honing his analytical skills with an internal strategy team, Conrad sought to gain more exposure with customers in the market area. This experience motivated him to seek a position in MOAI Strategy. As he remembers: “In this role, I worked as part of a regional team responsible for the Malaysian market, with a strong focus on enterprise strategy. My first time in Southeast Asia, particularly working in Malaysia, was nothing short of transformative. The experience required me to adeptly navigate a competitive market environment while I immersed myself in a culture that enriched my worldview and inspired me to make a meaningful impact. Throughout those six months, the support and warmth of my colleagues played a crucial role in my journey, allowing me to learn and adapt swiftly. I took pride in delivering value right from my first week, with my impact increasing steadily thereafter. From showcasing enterprise 5G use cases during the day to savoring Malaysia's diverse culinary delights at night, every moment contributed significantly to my personal growth and professional development.”

Conrad in Malaysia

Natalie’s story is equally exciting: “While Conrad stayed in Kuala Lumpur, I traveled even farther to Melbourne, Australia. Without any prior experience, I moved from R&D, the unit quite far away from the customer – to engaging with customers daily as an account manager.” This experience gave her a deeper understanding of the end-to-end business process, from product development to updating an already delivered solution. “Being closer to the business allowed me to gain an insight into the sales process and the actual portfolio,” says Natalie.

Natalie making friends with kangaroos in Melbourne

On a personal front, Melbourne really made an impression on Natalie, in her words: “I might have gone to the extreme by moving to the other side of the earth for my first experience living abroad, but the journey was anything but small. Melbourne’s vibrant atmosphere, impressive skyscrapers, and culinary scene made my time in Australia truly memorable—it was paradise for a foodie like me. I enjoyed working with friendly, welcoming colleagues, with whom I discussed cultural diversity, explored Melbourne’s rooftops, caught a 'Footy' game, and even toured Sydney. Coming from outside Australia, we often hear stories about dangerous wildlife, so I’m happy to report that, despite my fear of spiders, I enjoyed the city center without encountering any! Melbourne and the people I met will always hold a special place in my heart. I’d love to return someday.”

Conrad and Natalie have just returned from their third in-person learning module in Plano, Texas, the headquarters for Ericsson North America. The focus this time was on an established market and the future of the telecommunications industry. They also visited the industry-leading Smart Factory and learned how 5G is enabling cutting-edge innovations. With these new learnings, Conrad will move into strategic customer engagements in Sweden and Natalie’s next role will be in sales in Norway.

ECP in USA 5G factory

Unlock your potential: Discover life-changing opportunities and purpose with the ECP Program

Both Natalie and Conrad are eagerly looking forward to their new challenges. “ECP has been a life-changing experience. I have had the opportunity to dive into the immense world of telecommunications and what it means to be part of a huge global organization. As part of the program, I have been given extraordinary opportunities to expand my network, enhance my skills, and develop self-awareness. My path through Ericsson has had many twists and turns. Despite my background in biomedical engineering and my initial role as a software developer not aligning perfectly with my interests, but ECP provided me with an opportunity to explore and discover what truly excites me about working at Ericsson”, Natalie says.

Conrad agrees: “This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Having worked in a few different places before Ericsson, I can confidently say that this program is special. It has allowed me to explore various parts of the business and gain profound self-awareness, shaping my career aspirations. Through extensive exposure to various facets of Ericsson, I have deepened my understanding of our strategic thinking, operations, and customer engagement practices. This experience has given me a clear sense of purpose and insight into how I can make a meaningful impact.

Natalie and Conrad would encourage anyone thinking about applying to this program to go for it. Indeed, you don’t need to know where you will end up, just take the first step and apply, and enjoy an exciting and life-altering journey.

Want to meet a few of our ECP friends for inspiration? Check out their stories here.