Attracting young Swedish professionals

"My trainee internship completely changed my life.." 

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  Linnea Bengtsson talks about her experience as a trainee.

• Attracting young Swedish professionals
  "My trainee internship completely changed my life.."
  A visit from Sweden’s Minister of Justice, Beatrice Ask (..in Chicago to study organized crime), and delicious "semlor" raised the attendance at the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce’s event about the J-1 visa trainee program, which seeks to connect young Swedish talent with U.S. businesses.

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  Attorney Annette Gustafsson Guenther explains the advantages of SACC's trainee program.

• SACC–USA’s J-1 visa trainee program offers a valuable asset for hosting American companies, and at the same time provides young Swedish professionals with the opportunity for international exposure and experience as a trainee in the U.S.

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  Ylva Sjögreen and Henric Wirfelt, from DePaul University, enjoyed listening to Beatrice Ask.

• According to attorney Annette Gustafsson Guenther, among the benefits for a host company are guidance and assistance through the application process to get the most suitable candidate for the company. For a relatively low cost, the company will get a motivated, well-educated and bilingual trainee with a European perspective.
  In exchange, the young Swedish professionals gain experience in a U.S. organization and the chance to immerse themselves in a different culture.

• It’s important to acknowledge that the trainee program is not a program to get employment, because (after the J-1 visa is complete) the trainee should go back to his home country.
  “Don’t misuse your visa-status because otherwise you can’t come back,” said Gustafsson Guenther. “Take good care of it and follow the rules. Short-term solutions can be tempting but it’s not worth it because it will give you long-term problems.”

• Ylva Sjögreen, student at DePaul University, attended because she is searching for possibilities to stay in America after graduation.
  “I’m looking for more long-term solutions and the trainee program is more short-term, but I guess it can open up opportunities,” she said.

• Former trainee student Linnea Bengtsson, now international business developer at Lidköping Kommun, has only positive feelings towards the trainee program and would definitely recommend it.
  “I came as a trainee intern to Rockford and I had a really good experience, and I have basically been here every since,” said Bengtsson. “My trainee internship completely changed my life.”

• Gunn Johnsson, executive administrator for SACC–Chicago, was satisfied with the interest in the event.
  “It was very nice to see a big crowd with a lot of young people interested in a trainee program. Hopefully, some will get a trainee position,” said Johnsson.

• By Erik Kinnhammar

• For more info on SACC Chicago, see SACC Chicago