(The interview is translated from Swedish.)
What is your background?
“After graduation, I chose to study a technical foundation year at Malmö University, where mathematics was my favorite subject. Ever since I was a child, mathematics has been my greatest interest, and for a long time I was sure that I would become a mathematician. At the same time, I have always been fascinated by psychology and how people think and act, and I even considered becoming a psychologist. After the foundation year, I wanted to try something else for a while and therefore chose to study a course in rhetoric at Lund University. It was a fun detour where I got to develop my interest in public speaking and reasoning.
After that, I took a lengthy break from my studies and worked for several years in various professions, especially in social areas. I have worked in restaurants, bars, preschools and nightclubs, and on the side I have done ceramics. I enjoy working with people and have had roles where I have had to meet and collaborate with many different types of individuals. Since the Bachelor's Programme in Design of Information Systems often involves group work, I see it as an advantage to be used to collaborating and to genuinely enjoy working with others.“
Why did you choose Lund?
“I'm lucky to be from Malmö, which means that Lund is only a short trip away. Lund is a cosy and picturesque student city, but most importantly it has one of Sweden's top universities. I have studied in Lund before and been very satisfied, and when I read more about the programme and the university's good reputation in information systems, the choice of university felt obvious.“
Why did you choose the Bachelor's Programme in Design of Information Systems?
“A friend who had previously completed the programme and quickly found a good job told me about the programme. When she told me more about what it entailed, I realised that it could suit me. I have always been a person who questions how things work, wanted to understand connections and looked for logical explanations. It has never been enough for me to just accept that something ‘is’. I want to know how and why it works the way it does.
Since the field of information systems is about analysing, understanding and developing systems, it seemed like a good choice for me. The programme also contains many elements of problem solving and analytical thinking, which reminds me of what I love about mathematics. At the same time, there is a clear link to psychology, as software systems are designed based on how people think and interact with technology. The combination of logic, analysis and a holistic approach to both technology and people made me feel that design of information systems was just right for me.“
What do you think of the programme so far?
“So far I am very satisfied with the programme. The different sub-courses cover a wide range of the subject, giving you the chance to explore different areas and find what you like most. I particularly appreciate the balance between theory and practical application, where we not only learn about concepts but also get to put them into practice in Information Systems Projects (ISP). For me, it has become clear that I am most drawn to the technical parts of the programme, especially software development as it often involves problem solving.
Solving problems in code can be frustrating but also very rewarding. Sometimes I come across a problem or a bug that feels impossible to solve, but once I find the bug and get the code working, the feeling is incredibly satisfying. It's like the feeling you get when you're stuck in a video game for hours without being able to move on, only to realise on the umpteenth try what to do differently. It's frustrating in the moment, but all the more fun when you get it right.“
Was it difficult to get started with your studies? What is the overall level of difficulty like?
“For me, it was quite a big change moving from the restaurant business back to studying again, especially since it had been many years since I last studied. It was a big change, but it went well and it was nice to get into a more reasonable routine, considering that restaurant life doesn't offer the best schedules. I realised that if you just take on the challenge and are committed, you can get back into studying.
I find the difficulty of the programme to be mixed. Some courses are more demanding than others. But overall, it's absolutely manageable. As long as you attend the lectures, read the course material and do the assignments, you have a good chance of succeeding.“
What’s the sense of community like among classmates?
“Despite being a large group, the cohesion is strong, both socially and academically. We have had class 'sittningar' and other activities that have made it easier to get to know each other. We also often help each other discuss the course content and explain concepts to each other, which makes it possible to get support when something feels difficult.“
Do you have any advice for those interested in applying to the Bachelor's Programme in Design of Information Systems?
“My best advice to anyone thinking of applying to the Bachelor's Programme in Design of Information Systems is: APPLY! It's an incredibly good programme that provides a broad competence and many opportunities after graduation. A big plus is that we have some of the best teachers I have ever had. If you are unsure, it might be a good idea to talk to someone who is taking or has taken the programme to get a better idea of what it entails and whether it is suitable for you.“
What are your plans for the future, after you've obtained your bachelor's degree?
“After completing my bachelor's degree, I am looking forward to working in a field where I can combine my interests in software development, databases and information security. I like the technical side of building and structuring systems, but also the creative process of developing user interfaces. Therefore, I see an ideal role for me in both backend and frontend, where I can create user-friendly and well-structured software.
At the same time, security is an aspect I find particularly important, and therefore I want to focus on developing solutions that are not only efficient and user-friendly, but also secure and in line with current data protection legislation. In the long term, I can also imagine myself in a project management role, not only working with technology, but also leading teams, structuring work and managing projects.“
