"Gothenburg is a fantastic city for logistics studies"
Kaisa Nordlund works at the Swedish Customs in Stockholm, where she handles various types of cases and queries related to the authority’s operations, collaborating both internally and with external stakeholders. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Logistics and a Master's degree in Logistics and Transport from the School of Business, Economics and Law. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work as a port agent in Svalbard - an experience that opened her eyes to the importance of logistics in extreme environments.
How did you choose your education?
"I was not sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to work internationally. I was thinking about economics, law and international relations and applied for several programmes at the School of Business, Economics and Law. The logistics programme was one of the courses I applied for without really knowing what it could lead to - but it sounded fun because it seemed so practical and really required global thinking. When I later gained experience working with logistics in Svalbard, the pieces fell into place. It was fascinating to understand how crucial logistics are to making everything run smoothly, especially in challenging environments. This insight made me decide to go all the way and get a Masters in Logistics and Transport.”
When I gained experience with logistics in Svalbard, the pieces started to fall into place. It was fascinating to understand how crucial logistics are to making everything run smoothly, especially in challenging environments
What is your title and what do you do at work?
"I work as a case officer at the Swedish Customs. In my role, I handle various types of matters and enquiries related to the agency’s operations, and I collaborate both internally and with external partners. The work includes, among other things, analysing information and contributing to the effective functioning of the organisation."
What skills from the programme do you carry with you in your professional life?
“The programme provided me with a solid foundation in both analytical and strategic tools – a combination I have truly benefited from. The Excel course was actually unexpectedly valuable, especially during my first year at MSC in Oslo, where much of the work involved quickly managing and analysing large datasets. However, what has perhaps influenced me the most are the more long-term skills: building relationships, being curious, and daring to take initiative. At the School of Business, Economics and Law, I had many opportunities to practice these skills – through group projects, guest lectures, and various industry contacts. I often took the chance to talk to lecturers and experts, and those conversations have opened many doors after graduation.”
How has your education helped you in your career?
"Education is about packaging experience and theory described in research in a way that makes it applicable in the workplace. The School of Business, Economics, and Law provided me with an excellent combination of theory, methods, and tools that have been invaluable in my work. These have helped me to quickly analyse and solve complex problems, whether in the logistics chain in Svalbard, the shipping industry in Oslo or strategic analysis in Stockholm. The ability to adapt and apply my education in different industries and roles has been one of the greatest assets I have gained from the School of Business, Economics and Law."
The School of Business, Economics, and Law provided me with an excellent combination of theory, methods, and tools that have been invaluable in my work
Was there a course that you particularly enjoyed?
"At the undergraduate level, I particularly enjoyed the Operational Management course, but at the masters level it was even more interesting as we delved deeper into 'pure logistics'. The courses in Urban Logistics and Maritime Logistics were some of my absolute favourites, as they provided a clear link between theory and reality. Understanding how logistics affects our cities and the importance of shipping to global trade was very rewarding. I found the lecturers at the School of Business, Economics and Law to be fantastic - their dedication and depth of knowledge made every lecture inspiring. One of the most eye-opening moments was learning about the logistics behind e-commerce and its impact on the environment. It was an insight that I still carry with me today and that influences my choices as a consumer and who I want to work with.”
What do you think of the School of Business, Economics and Law as a school?
"I am very satisfied! Before I started at the School of Business, Economics and Law, I considered studying abroad, but I realised that the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg has a strong international profile and is highly ranked. In addition, Gothenburg is a fantastic city for studying logistics - with the largest port in the Nordics, an airport, railway and large distribution centres just around the corner. It offers a unique opportunity to combine theory with reality. You really see multimodal logistics every day.”
Gothenburg is a fantastic city for logistics studies - with the largest port in the Nordics, an airport, a railway and large distribution centres just around the corner. It offers a unique opportunity to combine theory with reality. You really see multimodal logistics every day
What are your plans for the future?
"At the moment, I want to continue developing within the Swedish Customs. I believe the agency delivers very clear and tangible benefits to society, and the work linked to international goods flows and trade feels both important and meaningful. I also have fantastic colleagues and engaging duties, so my ambition is to keep deepening my expertise and contribute to developing the organisation further.”
What advice do you have for those considering applying to the School of Business, Economics and Law?
"Gain experience! I had no experience in logistics before I started at the School of Business, Economics and Law, but working seasonally in Svalbard and taking a break to really understand how it works up there helped me enormously in my studies. The great thing about taking a break is that you can keep your place at university while gaining practical experience in the industry you want to enter. It also looks very good on your CV when you apply for jobs later: Employers value both academic training and work experience.”
Who do you think should apply to the Logistics programme and Master's in Logistics and Transport Management?
"Anyone who is curious, cares about the environment, is interested in global trade and transport, as well as technology and AI - and above all, anyone who wants to make a difference! Logistics is an exciting industry that is constantly evolving, and for those who want a dynamic and international career, this is the right choice".
Logistics is an exciting industry that is constantly evolving and is the right choice for those looking for a dynamic and international career
How did you get your jobs?
“By staying curious and having the confidence to reach out. I got my first job in Svalbard by picking up the phone and calling the manager directly to introduce myself and show my interest. Later, when I spent a period working at the Swedish Defence University, I also took the initiative and got in touch myself. For me, it has been important to find my own niche and build experience in areas that are both relevant and genuinely interesting to me – it allows you to stand out and demonstrate what you can contribute.”
How do you think your education at the School of Business, Economics and Law prepared you to work with sustainability issues?
"Sustainability permeated the whole education - it was not a separate subject, but part of almost every course and discussion. This meant that I learned early on to consider sustainability issues as a natural part of business decisions and logistical solutions. This became particularly clear when I worked in Svalbard - I saw climate change up close and personal, and it was invaluable to be able to combine concrete experiences with the tools, models and perspectives we had gained from the course. This holistic view has helped me no matter where I have worked - in Svalbard, Oslo or Stockholm - because sustainability issues are no longer a side issue, but a central part of how organisations do business."