Graduate Blog 2024-2025

Hi! My name is Juliana, and I am a graduate from Copenhagen, Denmark. My background is in Mechanical Engineering from DTU, with a passion for connecting the technical and commercial aspects of a project.

My first rotation has been in Brøndby within Project Engineering with a commercial focus. Here, I had the opportunity to develop a pipeline for our current and future projects, as well as engage in dialogue with the sales team on future possibilities. During the rotation, I attended customer meetings across Denmark, which gave me insights into customer relations and an understanding of how to deliver great service, no matter the complexity of the project.

Simultaneously, I gained first-hand experience with site visits to witness the testing of cables and worked closely with the electrical engineers in our team. This collaboration gave me greater knowledge of the electrical properties of the cables and how they interact mechanically. This understanding was further enhanced by factory tours in Asnæs and Karlskrona, where I saw how the machinery works.

I recently embarked on my second rotation in the Sales Team within Service & Installation in Brøndby, where I look forward to working closely with our customers and on installation projects.

I am grateful to join the NKT Graduate Program, as there is a strong focus on growth, both professionally and personally. The program encourages us to be proactive in solving problems. This is seen in our Graduate Module 2 in Malmö, where we dove deep into our personality types, how we work in teams, and how we navigate conflicts. It was super fun as we got to experience each other’s different motivations and see how we grow stronger as a team through our differences.

It is a great network of graduates, where we arrange Graduate Talks and social events. NKT is a big company, but I assure you that everyone will greet you with a smile, and you will feel welcome.

Hi! My name is Samuel and I am a technology graduate in Karlskrona. I studied engineering physics in Lund and graduated in the summer of 2024. At the end of my studies I was uncertain about what to do after graduating, I did not know which type of engineering role would suit me. I looked around for different jobs and found this graduate program. What caught my attention was that I would be able to try out different engineering roles and learn more about the energy industry and the business as a whole.

I started my graduate year in September with my first rotation at the simulation department here in Karlskrona. At the simulation department, I got the opportunity to apply my knowledge from university to solve real-life problems, such as performing mechanical, electrical and thermal simulations. I was also given the task of performing analysis on data recorded from an operational cable system. I found it exciting to find new areas to apply concepts and methods I learned at university, something that was made possible by the modularity of the graduate program and the way the program is tailored according to our specific backgrounds.

My current rotation is within the engineering department, where I have been working together with the team that designs the cable systems according to each specific delivery project. Since every project is unique, there are a lot of parameters that play an important role in the design of the system. During the rotation I have learned about the requirements that go into a project, and how to take them into consideration when designing the cable system.

During the first half-year of the graduate program I have learned a lot about the technology, designs and components of NKT’s cable systems. The opportunity to see the entire process - from acquiring projects, to designing the system, producing the cable and then installing it - has given me deep insight into the business and our role in the market. The graduate program has allowed me to dive deep into the theory and technology that drives the development of future high-voltage cable systems. I am looking forward to the rest of my rotations in Karlskrona, Västerås and abroad!

I'm Alin, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of this year's NKT Graduate Programme. With a background in Civil Engineering and Construction Management, I joined the programme as a Project Installation Management Graduate for the Rotterdam branch. Since September, my journey at NKT has been nothing short of extraordinary! As part of the programme, NL graduates like myself relocate to Karlskrona, Sweden, for the first nine months. Adjusting to life in Sweden has been an exciting challenge, and I've grown immensely both professionally and personally.

My role involves rotating across multiple departments, each offering unique experiences. I began in the Installation department, where I gained valuable insights into the tasks I'll be handling when I return to Rotterdam. I also assisted the PIM of the Biscay Gulf project with the Logistics Scope of Work for the Onshore Cable Installation. Next, I moved to Service & Installation, where I shadowed and supported the Project Manager of the East Anglia 3 project. This rotation culminated in an incredible site visit in Stord, Norway, where NKT Service was performing a Topside Cable Installation on the Converter Station of EA3. For a week, I shadowed the site manager, experiencing firsthand the dynamic reality of fieldwork. This rotation was so enriching that I extended it to work on a report for the Hornsea 1 project, which proved to be both challenging and fascinating. At the moment, I am in the Project Planning department helping the planners with the schedule for the Ijmuiden Ver projects in the Netherlands.

The flexibility of the programme has allowed me to tailor my rotations to align with my interests, and I've had the opportunity to work on projects that truly excite me. As I continue my journey, I'm eager to embrace new opportunities and challenges.

Cory: Hi everyone! My name is Cory, and I’m one of the UK graduates participating in the NKT Graduate Programme this year. I have a background in Geography & Environmental Sciences, so I was brought on board as the Environmental graduate for this cohort. The structure of the programme for UK graduates involves a 9 month relocation to Karlskrona – so since August, I have been adjusting to life in Sweden!

My role at NKT so far has involved a series of rotations around Karlskrona departments; I started in Production Health & Safety, moved through to Project Quality, and am presently sitting in Project Execution. Each rotation has come with a fresh perspective on the organisation, and I think the most fulfilling part of the job has been developing an understanding of how these departments work together to produce the final outcome and business. The rotation plan is flexible, allowing graduates to tailor their experience to their interests and strengths, which is a strong benefit to this programme. We have also received thorough introduction to the facilities here in Karlskrona, including factory orientations and even a tour of the NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel. I have included a picture of myself and the other UK graduate Lauren on top of the NKT Victoria helipad alongside this blog post, showcasing the beautiful view we had of Karlskrona’s archipelago!

A highlight of the programme so far has been the people I have around me – particularly within the whole international graduate cohort and with former graduates now working in permanent roles in Karlskrona. The engagement we have had with other employees has been excellent, allowing me to build a strong sense of community. For example, I was given the opportunity to connect with the entire graduate cohort in Karlskrona at the end of September, where we participated in a 2-day introductory Module surrounding NKT’s culture and shared beliefs. This was a fantastic opportunity to form friendships within the cohort and to learn from inspiring speakers across the organisation.

In my view, the experience of moving to a new country and integrating into the community via my role at NKT has been transformative. I feel so grateful that the graduate programme has given me this opportunity, and allowed me all of the new friends and experiences that have come into my life as a result. I never expected that my first job would look like this, but I am so happy with how things have turned out, and I feel that I’m developing a very strong foundation upon which to build my future career at NKT. I will go home to the UK for Christmas next week, and I am returning there with lots of good memories of my time in Sweden so far 😊

Henric: My name is Henric, and I am one of the Technology graduates based in Karlskrona. I hold an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Lund University. When I applied for the Graduate Program, I hoped to gain key insights into the operations of a large company like NKT.

The program includes various rotations, for me totaling nine, with two abroad. Additionally, there are different modules where all graduates come together for educational days to learn about the company and receive training in various activities. One of these modules was in Karlskrona, Sweden, where we had the opportunity to learn more about our different business lines, our customers, and company strategy. We also delved into our Shared Beliefs, which are the backbone of everything we do, providing the path to being a good teammate, colleague, and friend at NKT.

My first rotation was at the Laboratories, where the cable system is qualified in different tests. There, I explored the different tests and gained an understanding of the purpose behind each test a cable must undergo before, during, and after production to be approved.

My second rotation was within Production Operations and Production Technology. During the first part of this rotation, I spent one day at each machine line, gaining hands-on experience. Additionally, I gained a good understanding of the production flow and the steps required to manufacture a high voltage cable. The complexity of manufacturing a high voltage cable is fascinating, sparking my curiosity and desire to learn more. Alongside learning about the factory, I was assigned a project from Production Technology to investigate the potential implementation of a cutting-edge tool.

The best part of being a graduate is meeting interesting people with a lot of knowledge in their specific area. Despite being a graduate for a short period, I have been exposed to many different perspectives and met people from diverse backgrounds. This opportunity to absorb such a wealth of knowledge and perspectives is very valuable, and I know it will benefit me long after the graduate program.

Stamena: Hi! My name is Stamena, and I joined NKT graduate program in September 2024.  It's been an exciting journey so far, and I'd love to share some of my experiences with you. 

My first two rotations at NKT were in the Project Execution and Installation departments. For three months, I had the opportunity to follow the Draugen Project, a Power from Shore initiative. When I joined, the project was in its execution and installation phase, which provided me with a hands-on learning experience. 

One of the highlights of my time here was going on the NKT cable-laying vessel, Victoria, for the cable loadout. Witnessing the loading of a cable onto the vessel was an incredible experience. The precision and coordination required for such an operation were truly impressive. 

I also had the chance to join the team for the landfall cable pull-in in Norway. During this operation, the cable is pulled to the shore from Victoria and secured. This was a particularly special experience as I got to see our vessel, Victoria, in a beautiful Norwegian fjord, installing a cable. The scenery was breathtaking, and to top it off, I witnessed the northern lights above us in the sky while the jointers were securing the cable. It was the coolest office to work at! 

Additionally, I got to see how the jointers work on site and overcome challenges. Their expertise and problem-solving skills were truly inspiring. Watching them tackle and resolve issues in real-time gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity and importance of their work. 

These experiences have not only broadened my technical knowledge but also allowed me to appreciate the work we do at NKT. I'm excited to continue my journey and see what other amazing opportunities lie ahead. 

Stay tuned for more updates!