People story

People of Solita: Emma Eklund, Software Designer

Emma Eklund Software Designer, Solita

Published 19 Jun 2024

Reading time 4 min

Meet our People of Solita. We have over 2100 employees in various locations with different skills and backgrounds – each with a story to share about what they do and what inspires them. This is Emma Eklund, our Software Designer, based in Skellefteå, Sweden. 

From scissors to software

Fixing a tricky line of code is like fixing a haircut – sometimes all you need is a different perspective and a little patience. Just like the perfect hairstyle, good code requires both an artistic touch and technical precision.

Navigating my path into a new field

Since childhood, dreams and goals have been something I believe most of us have. When we finally reach a goal, do we settle, or do we set new, different and higher goals? For me, my childhood dream was to become a hairdresser and I made that dream a reality. The hairdressing profession, in my opinion, is one of the best in the world, with each day being different from the last, filled with creativity and the unbeatable feeling of making a customer satisfied and happy.

After a while, my strong desire to evolve and my curiosity to try something new took over. Now it’s time to realise my second dream! So how did I end up here? I wanted to bring with me the best aspects of the hairdressing profession: trendsetting, creativity, adaptability, problem-solving, and customer relations, with a core focus on people. After a lot of research and some discussions with loved ones, I decided to enter the IT industry! Just the thought of it got me excited, and if it gives you butterflies, that’s when you should go for it!

Finding my place at Solita

Three years of studies at Luleå Tekniska Universitet and a university degree later, I realised that if you really want something, you can achieve it – a lesson I hope my daughters take to heart. I’m extra proud to have made my way into IT as a woman, a world I used to think was tough, hard and male-dominated.

Solita proved otherwise. Here, everyone is welcome and accepted just as they are and my transition into the IT industry became easier. The qualities from my previous experience were highlighted instead of being seen as an obstacle to the stereotypical developer. This is reflected in Solita’s culture and mentality, which resonates very well with me – and the gut feeling is usually right.

Do you really need to live in Stockholm to work in a trendy and professional company like Solita? I thought so at first. But no, here I am in Skellefteå, one of Sweden’s fastest-growing cities, together with my five colleagues. And even though our offices are spread across 9 different countries, it feels like we’re all sitting at the same coffee table.

I’ve been working at Solita as a Software Designer for almost half a year, focusing on the Power Platform. As I write this, I’m the first low-code developer in Sweden, so for the time being, I mostly work on Finnish projects with a fantastic team based in Finland. How cool is that?

Space for growth and innovation

Since I’m new to the industry, I have a lot to learn, which I love for several reasons. For one, it constantly offers new challenges and opportunities to learn new techniques and concepts, which allows me to continuously set and reach new goals. Every day brings something new to discover and understand, making the work exciting and varied. Secondly, I love the feeling of solving problems and creating innovative solutions that can make a real difference for both companies and users.

Solita is a dynamic and forward-thinking company, filled with inspiring colleagues and a strong sense of community and collaboration. Being able to contribute to the digital journey that both society and organisations are facing is amazing – a bit like highlighting the best in the customer’s hair and making their everyday life easier, but in a slightly different way. All of this makes me constantly motivated and engaged in my work.

IT uncovered

Many people believe that IT is only about computers and programming. It can seem mysterious and difficult to understand, but it’s so much more than that – it’s a world where creativity meets technology, where problem-solving and innovation are at the centre. IT affects all aspects of our society, from how we communicate to how we work and live our lives. It’s an industry that is constantly changing, which can be scary but also very tempting for someone like me who enjoys challenges and innovation.

Despite the prejudices that IT is a male-dominated and tough industry, I have discovered that there is a strong community and an open climate where curiosity and learning are encouraged. Imagine that I have found a workplace that aligns with my values. Here everyone is welcome, regardless of background, and there is always something new to discover and learn. It is this dynamic that makes the industry so exciting and full of opportunities. This may sound cliché, but I am completely shocked by how a workplace is characterised by a big heart and high competence at the same time.

Come as you are – that’s exactly what you should do! We are all different puzzle pieces that need to be put together, and Solita has a common foundation & culture where our differences contribute and complement each other. Interested? See our open positions!

  1. Culture