Hi Thor, who are you? Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a 24-year-old student studying in Copenhagen but living in Sweden. I was born and raised in the US so I’m half Swedish and half American, and I moved to Sweden to study. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Lund, I started a Master’s program in Copenhagen. So far, commuting between Denmark and Sweden is not the most fun thing but it’s ok! This summer, I was looking for work where I could use my brain and be challenged more than at a usual summer job.

What will you be doing during your summer project at CellaVision?

I’m here for 6 weeks and I have 2 main projects. Validation and verification of white blood cells and pre classification as well as improving a template that our customers will use to evaluate the accuracy of their blood cell pre-classification software. My job is partly to improve the template and I’m also writing a protocol to test the template before it is provided to the customers.

The goal is to have an improved version of the Excel template so that the customers can evaluate the accuracy of their pre-classification software with confidence.

My second project is improving some of the texts in the Service Wizard that the customers use to perform tests and calibrations on their blood analyzers. This involves improving the clarity of the language, as well as making sure that the language conforms to the CellaVision company standards.

What made you apply for a summer job at CellaVision?

Well, I’ve always had an interest at different fields of science, and I saw the job posting online. I then did some research on CellaVision and was intrigued that CellaVision is at the cutting edge of a new technology. The opportunity of being involved in this work was very exciting. I absolutely think that a job at CellaVision is a possibility when I’m done with my studies. The work atmosphere is great.

How has your first impression been this far?

My impression has so far been excellent, nothing but a good experience. Pretty early on I was given responsibility and was essentially told “complete this”. Personal responsibility is encouraged, and I really like that aspect of the work. However, the people that I work with are also very helpful, and communication is encouraged, as it is a very important aspect of day-to-day work. So, my time at CellaVision so far has been extremely enjoyable, as well as being a great learning experience.

What does an ordinary day look like for you here?

It greatly depends on what I’m working on. Some days I am working on a project, and other days are full of meetings. On most days, I am communicating back and forth with my colleagues and my superiors. That’s very important because it contributes to the feeling that you aren’t alone in your work. The days will vary depending on what I do, which is a good thing. 

What are three things people don’t know about you?

I like playing the guitar, I like being physically active, and I love being out in nature.

What do you do for fun? 

I like to go running, go to the gym, play my guitar, spend time with my girlfriend and friends. A little bit of this and that!

Do you have any advice for people thinking of applying for a summer job at CellaVision?

I would say that anyone who is thinking of applying should be prepared for a lot of communication. Also, prepare to take personal initiative in your work. I would say that if you are interested in blood analysis, or even in science in general, I would highly recommend applying. The people and the atmosphere are great, and I’m really enjoying it!