Maria Gundersen

I am a systems scientist from Stockholm University and have worked at Atlas Copco since 2005, having been a consultant for 10 years before that. I started in R&D as a software developer, took on a team leadership role, moved to project management and since then I have worked both as a department manager and team manager. Today I am the team manager for a group of software developers who work with built-in software in our controller systems.

I am driven by creating value for our customers together with my team, and I gain a lot of energy from the discussions where we find solutions, understand and explain problems. Today, I work more with developing staff and teams than with direct product development, but even here there is creativity and problem solving - but with a more human perspective. I have always been inspired by the conversations that drive us forward with new knowledge and experience.

I believe that a good mentor is a good listener who also asks open-ended questions on which the student can reflect and think. A good mentor does not have all the answers, but can, with their experience, help the student to look at the challenges from different angles and see more opportunities, and can provide support to tackle the uncertainty and doubts we are all faced with. I hope to be able to contribute with my experiences from my working life in industry and from professions and workplaces in which women are often the (strong) minority. With my experiences as a programmer, leader, manager, recruiter and fellow human being, I hope to be able to help and support you as a trainee to find YOUR path in your career and find what drives you and gives you energy. I look forward to discussing issues, dilemmas and thoughts with you to find methods and perspectives that both strengthen and inspire you for the future.