Continuous learning – Levan’s key to a future-proof career

Levan came to Riga from Georgia to finish his education, completed his Master’s degree and now is studying for PhD. But learning is not only about degrees for him, it is also his general approach to life and career – he is passionately curious about everything he encounters and is making the most of his journey. Read the story about the restart of his career in a new country and making his knowledge and skills future-proof through continuous learning.

How did your journey with SEB start?

About a year ago I was looking for a job. As I like to make decisions based on information from various sources, I did small research involving my connections in LinkedIn and university peers and concluded that SEB might be a good place to restart my career here in Riga. I had a good financial background from my work experiences in Georgia, but coming to a different country I decided that I would start from a more junior level and prove myself in order to move forward with my career. So, I applied for a Bank Operations Specialist position in SEB.

What was your initial impression about SEB and did that change over time? 

I had heard some positive feedback before and I was not new to the world of finance, so in terms of the job itself there were no big surprises, however I was surprised with the environment I found here. Everyone including my colleagues and manager were very welcoming, caring, and willing to share knowledge to help me fit in faster. I have worked in big companies before and have not experienced such culture before, it is really all about the people.

What do you do on daily basis?

I work in Foundation Services. We provide different types of financial services to foundations based in Sweden – from accounting and salary managing to taxes and reports. 

What do you like about your job?

Freedom to plan my time according to my schedule, work more when I am most productive and managing my own tasks. I know my responsibilities and what deadlines I should meet, and I can plan accordingly with no micromanagement or tension from management side. I enjoy partially working from home too, to have more time to spend with my family instead of sitting in traffic. I genuinely like spending time with my colleagues. Whenever we meet in the office, we all are smiling and happy to be there. Our team is quite diverse, we have colleagues from different countries. 

Sharing knowledge about my culture and learning about other cultures helps us understand each other and work better as a team. 

You seem to enjoy learning a lot. What opportunities do you use to learn here?

In SEB we have a learning platform called Campus, there I have found numerous learnings, tutorials and presentations on processes and work of other departments. I am curious how processes work, how my colleagues in other departments work because I believe learning will help me be better at my job and understand all the processes we are involved in, so I spend a lot of time learning. Last year I spent 150 hours in Campus and additionally, when I want to see some processes in action, I apply for shadowing colleagues. Sometimes I learn tips and tricks to do my work faster and better. This is also something I appreciate about the SEB culture – your willingness to learn and improve is always supported. 

Is there something you are excited about in the future?

Finishing my PhD and exploring what the future of banking services will look like.
We are also moving to the new office building soon, that is something I look forward to. My team has been successfully practising clean desk policy for some time now, so we are ready for the activity-based office environment. I will not have much time for the new gym while writing my PhD, but after that I will give it a try. Me and my colleagues are also looking forward to spending time on the rooftop terrace. Back home in Georgia we have more sunny days, so being able to catch some sun here during working time is good.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I like spending time outdoors. In the summer me and my family usually go to Kalngale to enjoy the seaside, but in winter we go for long walks in the forest nearby our house. Spending time outdoors recharges my batteries and helps me prepare for the next working day.

What would you say to anyone considering joining SEB team?

I would say, no matter if you are an experienced professional or just starting your career path, here you will find opportunities to learn and grow using your talents and skills. To me, curiosity is the main driver for progress, so stay curious and keep learning – that way you will ensure your expertise is valid on the job market for years to come.

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