Starting a career after graduation is a pivotal moment in anyone’s life. After many years of studying and hard work, it’s a well-earned proof of all the time and effort invested in education. At Vermiculus, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment where fresh talent can thrive. We spoke to three of our employees, Beatrice Berg, Victor Jonsson and Niklas Sundqvist, who joined us straight out of university to learn more about their journey, challenges, and the growth they’ve experienced. 

Beatrice is a full-stack developer at Vermiculus and started in January 2024. Her education at the Royal Institute of Technology in Master of Science in Media Technology and a master's in computer science prepared her well for the technical demands of the role. "All the programming courses were definitely helpful," she says, "but so were the math and algorithm courses, since we work a lot with logic and problem-solving." 

Victor, who graduated from Linköping University with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, also found aspects of his education relevant. “I took some computer science and finance courses that have come in handy, but the most valuable thing I learned was how to approach and solve problems collaboratively,” he reflects.  

Niklas, a developer at Vermiculus who joined in November 2023, studied Information Technology at Uppsala University. His background in software development and programming has been essential in his current role. "The most important skill I took from my education was learning how to collaborate effectively in large projects," he says. "While the technical knowledge I gained has been useful, being able to work well with a team has been key to my success at Vermiculus." 

Beatrice Berg, Victor Jonsson and Niklas Sundqvist

Why Vermiculus? 

Beatrice was drawn to Vermiculus because of the vibrant fintech sector and the company’s balance between responsibility and support. "I was impressed by the work culture here, and the fact that Vermiculus is a medium-sized company appealed to me," she explains. "It offers a good balance between personal responsibility and team support." 

Victor’s path to Vermiculus began during a job fair in 2022, where he met two developers from the company. Later, while completing his thesis here, he got a strong sense of the welcoming environment. “I liked that it was a fast-growing company with a flat organizational structure. You have a lot of freedom in how you work, but that also means you need to be self-directed,” he says.  

For Niklas, it was the opportunity to join a young company with the chance to make an impact that convinced him to join Vermiculus in November 2023. "I liked the idea of being able to take on responsibility early in my career, and Vermiculus felt like a place where I could do that."  

The Journey So Far 

Since joining Vermiculus, all three employees have faced challenges, but they’ve experienced significant growth along the way. Beatrice recalls the difficulty of transitioning from university to large-scale programming projects. "Coming straight from university, I had no experience working on big projects. But it’s been rewarding to see my progress. The team has been incredibly supportive, pushing me to take on more advanced tasks and reassuring me that it’s okay to make mistakes." 

Victor initially focused on front-end development but soon expressed an interest in back-end work. "After a while, I told my team I wanted to learn more about back-end, and they gave me the opportunity to join a new project where I could dive into it," he shares. "The best part about Vermiculus is that the people here are so willing to help. It makes it easy to learn and try new things." 

Niklas agrees that support from colleagues has been key to navigating the complexities of fintech. "When you start in a new industry with such a large codebase, there’s so much to learn, but the team has always made time for questions and helped me understand how things work."

A Typical Day at Vermiculus 

Victor Jonsson describes a typical day at Vermiculus as a mix of coding, collaboration, and problem-solving. “A big part of our work involves writing new code to build the features our clients need,” he explains. “We also review and improve existing code, providing feedback to each other to ensure quality.” 

Victor emphasizes the importance of pair programming, which allows team members to tackle complex problems together. “Coding alongside someone else means we can discuss solutions in real-time, making it a great way to share knowledge,” he says. This approach also helps new employees learn from more experienced colleagues. 

Daily stand-up meetings help synchronize efforts and communicate openly about progress and challenges. “We use sprint planning and retrospectives to evaluate our work, while design sessions break down larger challenges into manageable parts,” Victor adds. He appreciates cross-functional collaboration, noting how developers and business analysts work together to sketch out solutions and weigh the pros and cons of various design options. 

“Our culture is very collaborative,” Victor shares. “It feels easy to share ideas and ask for help when we get stuck. This supportive environment makes it enjoyable to work here, and everyone, regardless of experience level, feels their contributions are valued.” 

Looking to the Future 

Beatrice is excited about what lies ahead. "There are so many talented and ambitious people here, and it's inspiring to be part of this journey. I’m looking forward to growing alongside Vermiculus." 

Victor sees his responsibilities evolving as he continues to learn. "As I gain more skills, I’m able to contribute in new ways, and that feels really rewarding," he says.  

Niklas also envisions a long-term future at Vermiculus. "The work is stimulating, fun, and challenging. With great colleagues, I see myself staying here for a long time."

Advice for Graduates 

For those graduating and entering the job market, Beatrice advises, "Apply broadly and don’t be afraid to network. If you want to be a developer, I recommend full-stack roles so you can experience both front-end and back-end." 

Victor adds, "Think about what’s important to you in the workplace. How do you want to spend your days? And don’t be afraid to try new things. If one place doesn’t fit, you can always move on."  

Niklas encourages students to find a workplace that will challenge them. "Ask a lot of questions when you're new—nobody expects you to know everything from the start."  

Opportunities at Vermiculus

At Vermiculus, we are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Our application period for master thesis projects typically opens in November, while summer job opportunities are released in the early spring. For those interested in full-time roles, we encourage you to stay tuned for future opportunities that align with your career aspirations.