»Technology is about creating value for people«
From customer service to IT consultant at Netcompany, Björn Pettersson focuses on delivering value through people-centred innovation.
From Uppsala to Oslo
In search of new adventures, Björn decided in 2012 to leave his friends and family in Uppsala, Sweden, and seek his fortune in Norway. With an open mind and a desire to build work experience, he quickly began exploring the opportunities ahead of him in his new life in Oslo.
»I had several friends who moved to Norway because of the job crisis in Sweden, and I saw it as an exciting challenge to move to a new country with a different culture and language. I first worked in a kindergarten, and then in a furniture store for several years, where I developed a strong interest in interior design. In hindsight, I guess you could say I’ve become a maximalist – the more colours and accessories, the better,« Björn laughs.
»At the same time, I love talking to and helping others, so it was a very natural step and a perfect start to my Oslo life to work in service and customer care in my early years here,« he adds.
Watch Björn's story
The path into IT
As the years went by, Björn began looking for new opportunities where he could combine his passion for helping people with working on critical societal solutions. After much reflection, he found his calling in IT and pursued a bachelor’s degree in computer science at OsloMet.
»In high school, I found IT subjects the most exciting, so choosing computer science felt natural when I decided to study in Oslo. However, it quickly became clear that the academic level was much higher than what I had experienced in high school, so I had to push myself to keep up,« he recalls and continues:
»Fortunately, I received a lot of support from those around me. They helped me realise that I always had to look forward and think about the opportunities that awaited me after my studies,« says Björn.
Bachelor project became the gateway to Netcompany
Towards the end of his studies, Björn got the opportunity to undertake a bachelor’s project with Netcompany and the Directorate for Medical Products. The goal was to develop a “Proof of Concept” – a demonstration for a more streamlined and efficient system for reporting medicine shortages.
Here, Björn had the opportunity to demonstrate his communication skills. Eventually, his impressive efforts led to a job offer from Netcompany after the project.
»The bachelor project with Netcompany made it easier to see the bigger picture of technology. In client meetings, I was able to truly demonstrate my strength in customer relations, and it became clear that the tech industry needs people like me who can combine technical expertise with strong client management skills. So, when the job offer came after the project, it felt natural to continue my journey in Netcompany.«
»Technology is not just about code and algorithms, but about using these tools in the right way to create meaningful solutions for society«
Creativity adds an extra dimension to everyday work
At Netcompany, Björn has had the opportunity to continue the strong collaboration he developed with the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
With his vibrant personality and ability to contribute to a positive work culture, he also inspires others to think outside the box and explore new ideas.
»Creativity comes in many forms, and I believe it adds an extra dimension to the work you do. I’ve always gone a bit ‘against the grain,’ and I enjoy being creative in my daily life, such as experimenting with new clothing styles. For me, it’s about being comfortable with who you are and not being afraid to try something new, whether at work or in your personal life. When I do that, I feel better, and I think that positivity rubs off on my colleagues as well,« explains Björn.
A future filled with greater responsibility and impact
For Björn, the focus on holistic problem-solving and value creation through technology has been central to his role as a consultant on projects with the Directorate for Medical Products.
In the long run, he aims to take on more leadership responsibilities, but before that, he wants to dive deeper into new technologies and solutions to expand his professional skillset.
»For me, technology is not just about code and algorithms, but about using these tools in the right way to create meaningful solutions for society. I still want to learn more and further develop my expertise, and in time, take on more leadership tasks to be able to work more directly with this,« Björn says.
»Yet, whether as a consultant or as a leader, my goal remains the same: to be an important contributor to meaningful projects that can solve crucial problems for people,« he concludes.
