Category: career

How are we training our employees in AI?

At Schibsted Marketplaces, we want to support our people as they grow and adapt in a world that’s always changing. That’s why we launched the “AI as an Assistant” programme—to give our employees the skills and confidence to turbocharge their work with AI assistance. 

The programme, which started in April, is a self-paced course that shows how tools like ChatGPT Enterprise can make everyday work easier and more efficient. From solving tricky problems to speeding up repetitive tasks, the training helps employees use AI to tackle their daily work-challenges and find new ways to be creative at work.

This October, we hit an exciting milestone: our 1,000th participant! This is a big step forward and a clear sign of how committed we are to supporting our people and helping them grow.

Building Confidence with AI
Feedback on the programme has been great. Employees have rated the course 4.3 out of 5, with many saying it’s given them the confidence to use AI tools effectively in their roles.

“AI is transforming our workflows, and it’s encouraging to see Schibsted employees actively engaging with these tools to enhance their work,” says Andreas Bengtsson, VP Artificial Intelligence.

How AI Helps Our Developers
We spoke with Christian Therkelsen, an iOS developer at Schibsted Denmark and the 1000th participant in the AI training programme, to get his perspective on how AI has transformed his work.

Tell us a bit about your background and what initially inspired you to pursue AI training.
I’ve been a native app developer for over 10 years, mainly focused on iOS apps. I’ve worked with DBA and Bilbasen and recently joined Schibsted. Over time, I’ve seen tech simplify some parts of development, but there’s still a lot of repetitive work. I became interested in AI as a way to speed up these routine tasks so I could focus on the more interesting, complex parts of my job.”

How has the AI training influenced the way you approach your work? Any examples?
I’ve been using ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot for a while now, and they’ve definitely sped things up. I use AI as a brainstorming partner—it helps me review code, generate variations, and handle smaller tasks. The AI-generated code isn’t always perfect, so I often refactor it, but it’s a solid starting point and helps me think outside the box when I’m stuck.”

“I use AI as a brainstorming partner—it helps me review code, generate variations, and handle smaller tasks.”

– Christian Therkelsen, iOS Developer, Schibsted Denmark

Are there any AI-driven trends or technologies that you’re particularly excited about?
Personally, I’m most excited about using AI to work more efficiently, which gives me more time to focus on the coding tasks I enjoy. On a larger scale, I’m fascinated by AI’s potential in healthcare for diagnosing and treating illnesses. And I’m also really excited about autonomous vehicles—I think we’re close to seeing self-driving cars become mainstream.

How do you see your AI journey going forward?
I’ll keep using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to make my workday smoother, and maybe even automate some personal tasks. As new AI tools emerge, I’m looking forward to experimenting with them to see how they can boost my productivity.

Bringing AI to Every Desk
By the end of October, 72% of employees with ChatGPT Enterprise licences had completed the training, and the results are already showing. Teams are saving time, finding creative solutions, and making faster decisions—all thanks to the skills they’ve learned through the programme.

What’s Next?
AI isn’t just changing industries; it’s reshaping how we work. At Schibsted Marketplaces, we’re making sure our people are ready for this shift by giving them the tools and knowledge to work alongside technology in meaningful and effective ways.

But why stop at internal teams? We’re planning to take this programme beyond Schibsted Marketplaces, sharing what we’ve learned with the wider professional community. 

Read more about AI in Schibsted Marketplaces here.

Internal career growth at its best

When Ida Thomasdotter Eriksson joined Schibsted in 2017, fresh out of university, she couldn’t have predicted the career growth that awaited her within the company.

Reflecting on her early days, Ida says, “I was eager to make an impact. Schibsted gave me the platform I needed to grow, exposing me to various brands within the group and expanding my understanding of the business.” Initially hired as an HR coordinator, Ida quickly became essential in enhancing the company’s recruitment processes, employer branding initiatives and training catalogue, which allowed her to form connections with colleagues across different departments and brands.

The journey through Schibsted
By 2018, Ida had transitioned into her first business-facing HR role, interacting with multiple teams and brands within the Schibsted group. “Eight years later, I am still thriving in this fantastic environment, where I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a person, a professional and recently, as a leader,” she states. Now in her fifth role with the company, Ida serves as the Head of People & Culture at Lendo Group, part of Schibsted Marketplaces, a position she once dreamed of as a recent graduate back in 2017.

Ida is particularly grateful to her past managers, who recognized and nurtured her potential from the start. “I am forever thankful to my former manager, who allowed me to take on my very first HR Business Partner role. She saw potential in me and challenged me, especially when I doubted myself,” Ida reflects. She credits the trust placed in her and the supportive attitude of her previous managers – who encouraged her to ‘try it out, and it’s okay if you fail’  – as foundational to her growth.

Lendo Group’s winning culture
Transitioning to Lendo Group required only a short move for Ida – from one floor to another within the same building as Schibsted Marketplaces. She immediately recognized that although Lendo Group shares the dynamic,fast-paced nature of Schibsted, the company also has qualities that define its unique workplace culture. “At Lendo Group, with its different units, our emphasis on teamwork, customer focus, and relentless execution fuels our success,” Ida explains. “Here, we strive to win as a team but also uphold resilience and perseverance”.

The vibrant atmosphere is both inclusive and supportive, complementing the high-energy environment to foster a workspace where employees are continuously challenged yet thoroughly supported. Ida elaborates, “The incredible determination our team shows is a critical component of our success. Combined with our commitment to inclusivity, this determination is essential for nurturing a productive and supportive workplace.”

Internal learning opportunities
Ida highlights Schibsted’s Learning Lab as a crucial part of her growth within the company. Eager to maximize her professional development, Ida has actively participated in various programs, including leadership initiatives to enhance employee skills. “I have tried to join as many relevant learning opportunities as possible,” Ida states.

However, she attributes much of her professional development to the robust HR community at Schibsted. “What has made me grow the most is surrounding myself with colleagues and specialists with knowledge that differs from my own, giving me new perspectives” she reflects.

Looking forward
Reflecting on her initial ambitions and how they have shaped her current responsibilities, Ida shares, “Back in 2017, I aimed to step into a business-facing HR role where I would be part of driving business success, through the people, culture and organisation dimension. Today, I’m fortunate to do exactly that.” As she continues in her capacity as Head of People & Culture at Lendo Group, her goals are clear: to be the best leader for her team and act as a role model for the organization. Continuously driving a forward-leaning, ‘never satisfied’ HR function. She is committed to deeply integrating HR to empower business growth and make a lasting impact.

Navigating AI at Schibsted Marketplaces

Meet Andy Rhodes, a Senior Learning Business Partner at Schibsted Marketplaces, who has played a key role in bringing AI into our everyday work.

Andy works in Schibsted Marketplaces’ ‘Learning Lab,’ an internal hub dedicated to enhancing learning and development across the company. Over the past year, Andy has been deeply involved in a key initiative called ‘AI as an Assistant.’ This project, which began with the rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise throughout the company, aims to use AI to increase productivity. “Our aim with this project was to help employees get the most out of this new AI tool, making it a practical, everyday tool that boosts productivity,” explains Andy. His role in this initiative ranges from initial needs analysis to the deployment of training modules designed to empower employees across various departments.

Making AI accessible
This initiative emphasizes user experience and practicality, ensuring that AI tools are accessible and beneficial to all employees. Andy highlights the user-centric approach: “We’ve designed the training to place employees at the centre, helping them see AI as an accessible resource for enhancing their daily work.” This approach has significantly lowered the barriers to AI adoption within the company.

Under Andy’s guidance, Schibsted Marketplaces is not only introducing employees to AI but also integrating it into their skill sets. “We’re not just teaching how to use AI; we’re integrating it into how we think and solve problems at Schibsted Marketplaces,” he states. This educational strategy includes workshops, hands-on sessions and a series of digital content designed to make new technologies approachable and relevant.

Preparing for what’s next
Through the ‘AI as an Assistant’ project and broader educational initiatives, Andy and the ‘AI as an Assistant’-team are playing a crucial role in shaping how Schibsted Marketplaces leverages AI for business enhancement and employee development. “Our work with AI is just one part of how we’re preparing for the future—ensuring that our team is not just ready but also excited about what’s next,” Andy concludes.

Students improve housing search on Finn.no

This summer, Finn.no employed eight students as interns to work together and improve the way Finn users search for housing for sale. Here’s how the project unfolded.

When the eight students started their internship, they knew they would be working in a group, but they didn’t know what the project was or who their co-interns would be.

Kaisa Almquist, who studies industrial design at NTNU, got the position as one of two UX designers. She was excited to be part of a group for the summer: “It was one of the reasons I applied. When you’re in a group, you’re not thrown into a job where others have been working for a long time; instead, we got our own project to work on”, she says.

“You’re not so alone”, adds Karolina Gil, who is about to start her master’s in program development at UiB. Karolina joined the intern team as a developer. Together, working as six developers and two UX designers, they were given the task of improving the way users of Norway’s largest marketplace, Finn.no, search for apartments and houses for sale.

The project
Alexander Le, who studies Machine Learning at NTNU and Signe Mehlum, who studies informatics and programming architecture at UiO, also joined as developer interns. Both explain that they applied for the internship to gain relevant experience outside the theory taught at school.

“I wanted some real-world experience and prioritised that this summer; I wanted to learn what it feels like to work at a real company”, says Alexander. He explains that when they were given the assignment by their manager at Finn.no, the biggest challenge was figuring out the right direction for development.

Signe agrees: “The project stems from an identified user need to have an organised overview of all the apartments and houses for sale on Finn.no. Until now, users have been relying on search and notifications but still might have missed out on interesting opportunities”, she says.

Karolina further explains how the product they developed has taken shape: “We created a solution that allows users to compare different elements of housing ads. This way, users looking to buy can easily compare listings on Finn without needing to organise the information in Excel or something similar.” “It compares the data from each ad that might be relevant to a potential buyer, such as the number of bedrooms, square footage and total price”, says Alexander. “You can also sort ads by the dates realtors offer showings”, adds Signe.

This feature allows users to compare all housing listings based on what they find important, add notes and ratings and share their findings with others.

Working together
As a group of eight, the interns have truly tested their collaboration skills. When asked how the group work has been throughout the summer, the interns look at each other and chuckle. Signe answers on behalf of the group:

“It’s been intense at times, but I think it’s been really fun. We have a lot of generosity towards each other. We don’t tiptoe around issues, which is great when things get hectic.” Kaisa, who’s one of only two UX designers, praises the other interns for creating a shared sense of belonging in all aspects of the project: “It’s been a learning curve when it comes to communicating and solving problems as they arise”, she says.

The result? A group of interns with a shared sense of responsibility and ownership of the summer project. And their product? It’s already live on Finn.no, ready to help Norwegians find their new homes. Go check it out: www.finn.no/realestate

From KTH to Schibsted Marketplaces

This summer, Alice Östling, a 21-year-old Industrial Engineering and Management student from KTH, is getting a taste of professional life at Schibsted Marketplaces. We caught up with Alice to learn more about her journey and her role as an Analytical Platform Administrator intern.

Alice is a dedicated student in her third year at KTH. Her decision to apply for the internship at Schibsted Marketplaces was driven by her desire to gain hands-on experience within the industry and explore the field of data analysis. “I saw it as a great opportunity to learn and gain experience within the industry,” she says. “I had heard about Schibsted before and found it exciting to work at a company with such a broad portfolio of brands.”

Alice is currently interning as an Analytical Platform Administrator in the Analytical Platforms team, which is responsible for the analytical platforms used by different brands in both Schibsted Marketplaces and Schibsted Media. Her daily tasks are varied and include managing the team’s support channels and tickets, assisting users with access issues, setting up new databases and handling ad-hoc tasks. The platforms she works with most frequently are Tableau, Snowflake and Amplitude.

Challenges and achievements
One of Alice’s key responsibilities this summer is managing the monthly invoicing process, which involves billing other teams for their usage of the analytical platforms. She is also working on a project to streamline this process by eliminating manual work and reducing the potential for errors. In addition, Alice is building and redesigning dashboards in Tableau to improve their aesthetic and functionality.

“I find it exciting working with so many different types of tasks, which means that if I get stuck somewhere, I can put that aside for a moment and focus on something else,” Alice shares. “I feel that I learn something new every day. My team is very supportive and I have been introduced to many different people in our department, which I appreciate. It is exciting working in a team that is responsible for something so important for the company.”

Why Schibsted Marketplaces
When asked why she chose Schibsted Marketplaces, Alice highlights the competence and passion of the people she has met. “Everyone I have met so far is extremely competent and very passionate about delivering results every single day,” she notes. She also enjoys the diverse and inclusive environment, with people from many different cultures and backgrounds.

Alice believes that students should choose Schibsted Marketplaces for the opportunity to work with amazing people and grow both personally and professionally. “You get the opportunity to work with amazing people from whom you learn every single day. As a student, it can be nerve-wracking to join a new workplace, but I feel that everyone has been so open and eager to meet me,” she says. “If you want to grow both personally and professionally, Schibsted Marketplaces is a great place to do so.”

Advice and recommendations
Alice feels that even as a junior, interns can make significant contributions to their teams and gain valuable real-world experience. “It is great to experience that even as a junior you can contribute significantly to the team you work for,” she explains. “It is great to receive some real experience of a work environment before graduating, as it is so different from studying. Sometimes, when you are in the classroom, it is hard to imagine when you will use what you have learned.”

Her advice to future interns is to be open, curious and proactive in seeking learning opportunities. “Never hesitate to ask questions; you are here to learn,” she advises. “Take every opportunity given to you, as you will most definitely learn something new from each experience. I would also advise interns to try to talk to and connect with as many people as possible, as you never know who will influence you.”

“We constantly need to adapt to new threats”

Recently nominated for the “Security Profile of the Year 2024” award, Ralph Benton’s dedication to cybersecurity is truly impressive. We take a look at his professional journey, his important role in safeguarding our marketplaces and his passion for cybersecurity.

Ralph, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Schibsted Marketplaces, heads the central security team. His responsibilities range from heading up strategic security initiatives to handling operational tasks such as managing security incidents.

Ralph educating kids about cybersecurity at the Schibsted coding camp, emphasising the importance of online safety from a young age.

“My workdays vary a lot from day to day,” Ralph explains. “To make the right security decision, it’s very important to understand the business security needs, and as security is teamwork, stakeholder management is crucial for success.”

Ralph’s entry into cybersecurity began about 20 years ago in a multinational manufacturing company where he took on a role in IT security awareness training. Over the years, Ralph held various positions, ultimately becoming the Group Information Security Manager and then their first-ever CISO.

A new cybersecurity landscape
The rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape presents significant challenges. “The biggest challenges are not knowing what new threats are around the corner,” Ralph notes. “The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with attacks now being a profitable business run by criminal gangs, sometimes with connections to nation states intelligence services. For Schibsted Marketplaces, the main threats are service disruptions and the theft of customer information.”

Strong cybersecurity measures are crucial for Schibsted Marketplaces. “We are responsible for the personal data of many Nordic citizens,” Ralph explains. “Our online services are also an important part of the digital infrastructure in the Nordics. The new EU directive NIS2 defines digital marketplaces as important infrastructural functions and sets legal requirements on our cybersecurity efforts.”

Ensuring security and privacy at Schibsted Marketplaces
Since joining Schibsted almost five years ago, Ralph has led a three-year Cybersecurity Program that has significantly improved the company’s security posture. “We now scan over 10,000 domains for vulnerabilities and monitor 11,000 devices, including Media domains and devices,” Ralph explains. “We have a 24/7 security incident process and run five bug bounty programs where friendly hackers report vulnerabilities for rewards. We work closely with our internal development teams to address any issues promptly and conduct mandatory security training for all employees to ensure they understand how to protect themselves, their colleagues and our customers.”

Award nomination
Ralph’s nomination for the “Security Profile of the Year 2024” award is a testament to his contributions to the field. “I was sincerely surprised when I was informed about the nomination,” Ralph shares. “It’s great to be recognised, but security is teamwork, and this nomination is a testament to the support and engagement from my colleagues and the Schibsted Management Team.”

The key achievements leading to this recognition include the cybersecurity transformation at Schibsted and Ralph’s personal engagement in creating and supporting networking communities for knowledge sharing in cybersecurity. “Our transparency and willingness to share our progress and learnings have been appreciated and inspiring to other organisations,” Ralph concludes.

Looking ahead, Ralph is committed to maintaining high security standards and continuing to innovate in the face of new challenges. His vision for the future of cybersecurity at Schibsted Marketplaces reflects his dedication to protecting the company’s digital infrastructure and the personal data of its users.

Understanding LGBTQ+: Key Insights by an Ally

Discover the fundamental differences between sex and gender, the meanings behind the LGBTQ+ acronym, and a deeper dive into diverse gender identities.

I’m Alessia, an Italian living in Helsinki for the past three years and working at Schibsted as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. I identify as a cisgender straight woman (she/her) and passionately advocate for and support the LGBTQ+ community.

As a member of the Employee Resource Group (ERG) LGBTQ+ & Allies community at Schibsted, I’m committed to fostering inclusivity and understanding. When I received the invitation to join the core LGBTQ+ Employee Research team at Schibsted, I was thrilled. With a background in cultural psychology and anthropology, I felt prepared to contribute. However, as I attended the first meetings, I realized my knowledge was just the tip of the iceberg in understanding the complexities of LGBTQ+ issues.

Let me share with you some foundational notes I took during those initial weeks, which have been invaluable in my journey to becoming a better ally and understanding gender identity.

Sex vs. Gender: What’s the Difference?

Sex refers to the biological attributes of humans and animals, including physical features, chromosomes, and hormone levels typically classified as male, female, or intersex. These attributes are usually assigned at birth.

Gender, on the other hand, is a social construct and thus a broader and more complex concept. It encompasses the roles, behaviors, activities, expectations, and societal constructs surrounding what it means to be male, female, or other gender identities. Unlike biological sex, gender is influenced by cultural factors and can vary widely across different societies.

Understanding this distinction helped me appreciate why someone’s gender identity might not align with their assigned sex at birth, underscoring the importance of using respectful language and behavior toward everyone’s personal identity. With this foundation, I then explored what each letter in the LGBTQ+ acronym stands for and why it matters in our journey towards inclusivity.

What Does LGBTQ+ Stand For?

L – Lesbian: Women who are emotionally and romantically attracted to other women.
G – Gay: Individuals attracted to members of the same sex. While it can apply to any gender, it’s most commonly used to describe men.
B – Bisexual: People who can be attracted to more than one gender.
T – Transgender: Individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Q – Queer/Questioning: ‘Queer’ is a reclaimed term for flexibility beyond traditional labels. ‘Questioning’ refers to those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
+ – Plus Sign: This stands for inclusiveness, covering identities not specifically included in the other letters, such as Intersex, Pansexual (attraction regardless of gender), Asexual (little or no sexual attraction), and many more.

A Deeper Dive into Identity

When I first began my journey into understanding the LGBTQ+ community, I realized I was only scratching the surface. From cultural anthropologists like Margaret Mead (an old acquaintance of my uni studies)to Gender Studies researchers like Gayle Rubin, the question of identity and gender has been largely deepened throughout the last century. To start with easy bits, here are some of the core insights that helped me start navigating it.

Non-binary and Genderqueer: Andrea explained that being non-binary means not fitting neatly into ‘male’ or ‘female’ categories, living outside these traditional boxes. Genderqueer is similar but goes further, challenging the very foundation of how we view gender.

Pansexual and Omnisexual: For those identifying as pansexual, attraction is about the person, not their gender. Omnisexuality is similar but acknowledges the gender of potential partners more explicitly.

Asexual Spectrum: Asexual or graysexual individuals rarely experience sexual attraction, which is not tied to a lack of emotion or connection.

Lastly, understanding intersectionality came from listening to stories from people navigating multiple aspects of their identity, such as cultural, racial, and sexual intersections. These layers bring unique joys and challenges that cannot be separated or ignored.

Building understanding

In conclusion, the best way to understand LGBTQ+ identities is through conversations with people within the community. Don’t be afraid to ask, explore, and actively listen. Books like “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson, documentaries, podcasts, and resources from organizations like GLAAD and The Trevor Project have also been invaluable in learning how to be a better ally.

By reading all the way down here, you’ve taken a great step in learning about the complexities and richness of LGBTQ+ identities. Keep exploring, asking questions and listening with empathy to continue building a more inclusive world. 💜

Navigating change in tech

Meet Marion Løken, an Engineering and Product Manager at Schibsted who passionately works towards a more inclusive tech industry.

Marion’s career in tech began with promise and potential in France, armed with a knowledge base rooted in engineering and a PhD in Applied Mathematics. However, her path was not without obstacles. “Early in my career, I faced challenges as a woman in tech, including demeaning comments and stereotypes about women’s emotional stability and commitment,” Marion shares, reflecting on her early years.

The move to Norway marked a pivotal turn in her journey, not just geographically but in her professional mindset. “Moving to Norway expanded my professional horizons and introduced me to the Nordic philosophy of work-life balance, which I am a fan of,” she shares. Marion has now lived in Norway for 15 years and spent the last decade in various leadership roles.

Building an inclusive environment
In her role at Schibsted, Marion has focused on making the mobility marketplace more accessible and user-friendly, paying particular attention to ensuring that the experience is equitable for all users, especially women. “My goal is to lead my team in a way that empowers our users, helping them to make informed decisions,” she states, emphasising her passion for technology and its potential to effect positive change.

For Marion, inclusion and equity are fundamental principles she lives by. “To me, inclusion and equity mean adopting a mindful approach to decision-making, ensuring that my actions and decisions are fair and without prejudice,” she explains. It’s about creating a space where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels they belong and can contribute.

Insights from experience
Reflecting on her journey, Marion highlights the lessons she learned along the way. “Leadership used to mean fitting into a specific mould, often characterised by a certain type of assertiveness seen in charismatic men. But the landscape is evolving.” Marion appreciates the changing dynamics that now value authenticity and empathy alongside vision in leadership. “Being genuine and showing empathy, traits once undervalued, are now recognised as central to effective leadership. I’ve learned that embracing my true self is not only liberating but also amplifies my ability to lead.”

Discussing the importance of diversity and inclusion, Marion shares: “Diverse teams are vital for innovation, offering a range of perspectives and solutions. However, diversity alone isn’t enough.” She emphasises that true success comes from inclusivity – making every team member feel valued and heard. “I’ve seen diversity initiatives fail when inclusivity isn’t part of the equation, leading to a quick turnover of the very diversity we sought to achieve. Real inclusion means actively removing biases and creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.”

A vision for the future
As International Women’s Day approaches, Marion’s experiences remind us of both the strides we’ve made towards equality and the distance we still have to cover. Her journey illustrates the ongoing fight for a more inclusive and equitable professional world.

Looking forward, Marion envisions a workplace and a world where diversity and inclusion are not just aspirations but realities. “The future I see is one where diversity is the standard,” she hopes. Her story, characterised by perseverance, thoughtful leadership and a commitment to inclusivity, serves as an inspiration, both within and outside the tech industry.

“I always strive to be my full self in everything I do”

Being a successful manager touches on many different aspects. Not only are you supposed to lead your team to success – you are also to inspire them and make your coworkers feel included. But how do you do that best? Head of Brands and Marketing at Blocket, Sofia Manninger, has found her way.

We all have different things pushing us forward. For Sofia, the main goal has always been to work value-driven. That is why she got her mind set on working at Blocket over eight years ago.

“I saw an opportunity to inspire people to be more aware and shop second hand. I started off as a project leader and after my wife and I had our first child, a position as Head of Brands showed up. That was the first role I have had with personnel responsibility, and it soon led me to where I am today,” she says.

“We are humans”
For Sofia Manninger, working value-driven goes beyond the Blocket business plan. Apart from making sure the company meets the strategic goals for the Nordics on a local level and keeping Blocket as a strong brand, she actively wants to create an open and inclusive environment for her team and for the company as a whole.

“I think many leaders feel like they are expected to be super heroes and almost robotically only focused on results, which is not true. We are all humans with our own life and luggage that will affect us at work too. I tell my coworkers about sleepless nights with my two kids, breakfast chaos and fuss with my wife. Those are things that I will bring with me to work mentally, and that is okay. Those things do not contradict being driven or successful. I just want my team to have a transparent and accepting environment where being my full self shows that they can be their full selves too,” Sofia says.

Became the role model she lacked
Being as open as she is with her life as an LGBTQ+ woman, comes from a history of lacking that presence throughout her own work life.

“In my past, I have always missed role models that lead the same lifestyle as I do. People need to see representation of themselves to feel more included. That is more important than people might think, especially amongst minority groups like mine. That openness becomes an extension of the company. And creates a more diverse culture that I also think is of big importance to the younger generation for when they start applying for jobs in the future. It is also important for people who do not have an external safety net. By being my full self at all times, I hope to encourage others to live openly as well,” Sofia says.

Helps increase motivation
Sofia’s ways have this far only been met with positivity. The projection of it being okay to be fully who you are also trickles down the chain and has positive effects on the practical work.

“I have been told that my open leadership style implements and simplifies the thought of “if my boss is one hundred percent herself, it is okay for me to be as well”. It creates a happier workplace which indirectly leads to better conditions for my team to execute their tasks and increase motivation. While they are well aware of their mandates and responsibilities, they also understand that I don’t expect them to pretend to be someone they’re not or to feel a certain way. Everything begins with leading the way you learn, and being the role model you yourself want to see,” she says.

Apart from being a manager at Blocket, Sofia is also part of the Schibsted LGBTQ+ community. A safe space for everyone to join and find the support they need to feel and be their full self at work – and in private.

Schibsted Connect – let the journey begin!

In early November we kicked off a new group of students and employees in our popular mentorship program Schibsted Connect.

We welcomed an enthusiastic group of 130 students and Schibsted employees from five different countries, all ready to embark on a learning journey.

What sets Schibsted Connect apart
Schibsted Connect is not a traditional mentorship program; it’s a platform for mutual growth and learning. Students and experienced employees within Schibsted have thoughtfully been paired, based on education and professional experience. Over a six-month journey they will step into a two-way street of knowledge exchange. Students gain invaluable industry insights and professional guidance, while our employees get fresh perspectives and new ideas brought by the younger generation.

Local meetups at our offices
What better way to start a mentorship journey than by inviting participants to our main offices? Here, they had the chance to meet their buddies in person, explore our dynamic offices, and connect with other Connect participants. 

A learning journey ahead
The program offers not just professional contacts but also local meetups and events aimed at sparking networking, discussions, and knowledge sharing. Schibsted Connect is a journey of sharing insights and achieving mutual growth. The combination of curiosity, collaboration, and the joy of sharing knowledge prepare participants for future opportunities.

The Connect participants will continue their journey until April 2024, we can’t wait to learn more about their unique stories.

Learn more about our student opportunities here!