Meet Eric Engerby Jönsson, a Lund University alumnus, who is currently enrolled in a trainee programme at CGI Business Consulting. Eric studied the Bachelor’s programme in Service Management with a specialisation in Retail at Campus Helsingborg and continued with the Master’s programme in International Strategic Management at the School of Economics and Management in Lund. His studies began in 2016 and ended with a Master’s degree in spring 2020.
What have you been up to since you graduated and what do you work with today?
Early on, during the first semester at the Master’s programme, I signed a contract with CGI and therefore knew what was planned for me after graduation. However, before my work at CGI began I had the opportunity to work with a subsidiary within PEAB where I helped the CMO* with market analysis, market strategies and trend spotting.
*Chief Marketing Officer
What does a typical day at the office look like?
As a consultant at CGI there is no “typical day” and this is something that I value tremendously. Every day is different from the day before and I am constantly challenged in my daily work. However, as a trainee within the CGI Selected programme there is a clear structure where we, during the first year, get the opportunity to learn and develop the important and necessary skills that consultants need in order to be successful. During the second year we develop skills and gain access to the right tools to become project leaders and during the third and final year within the trainee programme we get the chance to perfect our business acumen.
In what ways have your studies at Lund University been beneficial to you?
I believe that I have a unique way of analysing and understanding business-related situations, behaviours and contexts. Additionally, I am comfortable working in team settings as well as driving my own work forward –something that originated from the way of working at Lund University. Self-leadership is incredibly important in any business setting.
How did you become a trainee at CGI Business Consulting?
CGI has a very ambitious recruitment process where I first applied through submitting my CV and took two different tests. From this I was invited to their assessment day where a selection of the recruits are welcomed to their offices to solve a business case in teams and experience the culture at CGI. After this, I was invited to an individual case interview where I got to solve a case on my own and finally I was invited to a concluding interview. Although the recruitment process may seem long and challenging, it gave me incredible amounts of energy every time I met any of the members of CGI.
Do you have any tips to others who may be thinking of applying for a trainee programme?
My main recommendation to current students is to find out what you want from your future employer so that it will be easier for you to choose the right firm to work for and apply to. For me, CGI was the obvious choice as they prioritise heart as much as they prioritise brain. A combination of incredibly competent members with their hearts in the right place creates a wonderful culture at CGI where the consultants can thrive and grow together with their fellow members.
I really want to take this opportunity to promote CGI Selected and encourage current university students to follow CGI on social media in order to learn more about upcoming opportunities and see what it is like to work with us. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or want to learn more about our award-winning trainee program!
Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Lund University?
I have several memories worth telling, but my most distinct memory is from my exchange semester at the University of Adelaide during the fifth semester at the Bachelor programme. During this period I got the opportunity to challenge myself academically and personally, as well as meeting new international friends that I still keep in contact with and have met up with in Prague, Berlin and digitally. While this was a challenging time, I was awarded a scholarship for academic excellence at the University of Adelaide, which makes this memory even more valuable to me.