The International Trainee Programme application process has started. This nine month programme offers an opportunity to gain hands on experience in an international banking environment and build a strong foundation for a long term career at SEB.
In this interview, Ignas Pliuškys, Hiring Manager and Mentor, shares his perspective on the role, what the team values in candidates, and what makes the International Trainee Programme a meaningful step towards a global career.
How would you describe the International Trainee Programme to someone who is hearing about it for the first time?
From day one, you’ll step into a full-time role and become part of a cohort of up to 20 participants from Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania and our other international sites. You’ll be supported by mentors, surrounded by peers, and empowered to grow – both personally and professionally.
The programme runs for nine months, starting in early September, and offers a unique blend of hands-on experience and structured learning. You are employed from the start in a specific role in the bank, and practical work is combined with training to support your development and career at SEB. You can also expect participating in hackathons and solving business challenges to stretch your thinking and spark innovation. You’ll also visit SEB offices abroad and connect with SEB’s global community.
Can you describe your area and the type of work a trainee would be involved in?
Enterprise Risk is responsible for overseeing risks and risk frameworks that apply across the entire organisation, connecting all major risk types. We oversee risk frameworks that affects all risk types, which makes this one of the most diverse and exciting areas in risk management. For a trainee, this means hands‑on exposure to a wide range of topics and a fast learning curve from day one.
Joining Enterprise Risk gives you a unique opportunity to see how different risks come together at organisational level and how they influence strategic and day‑to‑day decision‑making. It is an excellent environment for someone who is curious, analytical, and eager to understand how a bank works and operates.
As a Risk Trainee, you would be actively involved in real work, not just observing.
Your tasks would include:
- Taking part in the setup and execution of pricing controls, while building a strong understanding of the bank’s pricing framework
- Contributing to deep‑dive analysis of industries and risks within the bank’s portfolio and supporting specific analytical projects
- Supporting the development of the risk appetite framework for one of the Baltic banks through calculations, analysis, and documentation
- Assisting with ongoing activities in other Enterprise Risk areas, such as data management, validation and controls, and climate risk
Overall, the role offers broad exposure, meaningful responsibility, and the chance to learn how risk management really works across an entire organisation.
What kind of candidates are you looking for in the International Trainee Programme?
The role involves working across Enterprise Risk, contributing to frameworks, analysis, and controls that span all major risk types in the organisation. This requires a person who is genuinely interested in banking and risk management, enjoys working with data and numbers, and is motivated to understand how bank operates. The trainee should be comfortable following structured methodologies while also being able to perform ad‑hoc analysis when needed.
Curiosity, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn complex topics are key, as the role offers a steep learning curve in a dynamic, international environment. The ability to clearly explain insights and collaborate with stakeholders across countries is equally important, as risk management is built on strong communication as much as solid analysis.
What makes the International Trainee Programme different from a regular entry level internship?
The International Trainee Programme goes beyond a regular entry‑level internship by offering deeper involvement in risk area and even more meaningful responsibilities from the start as well as this programme is longer than a regular internship. Trainees gain hands‑on experience with risk topics, helping to build the knowledge rapidly from the start.
For me personally, international exposure has been essential throughout my career – working in a Baltic team with close cooperation with Swedish colleagues played an important role in learning, broadening perspectives, and growing professionally. This type of cross‑country collaboration, combined with opportunities to travel, makes the programme a strong starting point for a career at SEB.
What skills or qualities help trainees succeed most in an international environment?
We value trainees who are curious, open to learning, and comfortable stepping into new topics and discussions. Being proactive, asking questions, and adapting as things change are key, as risk work often evolves and crosses many areas. Strong communication, collaboration skills and positive attitude matter a lot, since working in risk in international environment means exchanging ideas, aligning views, and building shared understanding with colleagues across different countries.
What kind of career opportunities can trainee expect after completing the programme?
Starting a career in Enterprise Risk provides a strong and broad foundation that opens up many future opportunities. After completing the programme, trainees can continue to develop within Enterprise Risk, moving into specific areas to gain deeper expertise, or transition into other risk types. The broad exposure to different risks, processes, and stakeholders also creates opportunities beyond risk management, such as roles in analytics or finance. Overall, the programme equips trainees with versatile skills and a holistic understanding of the organisation, supporting both specialised and broader career paths.
What advice would you give to candidates applying to the International Trainee Programme?
If you’re curious, ambitious, and ready to learn fast, this is your chance – apply and start your journey in our team.
Apply by May 20: https://jobs.eu.lever.co/seb/99c908a0-5fc4-4252-9dc0-7f0a2dcf3297
Read more about International Trainee Programme: https://sebgroup.com/career/graduates-and-students/international-trainee-programme
Interview with ex-trainee sharing her experience:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7457716940363431936
