Meet the latest addition to our team – Emma Hjalmarsson Wahlström

 

 

Meet Our Team – Quick Q&A with Emma 

Tell us a little bit about yourself – who are you, and what is your background?

Hi! I’m Emma, born in Umeå in northern Sweden. I recently made a big life change—from hairdresser to software engineer. I took a two-year program in .NET System Development with AI competence, a hands-on education where we started building projects right away. It was incredibly fun and rewarding, and it really sparked my passion for development. I graduated in 2023 and have since worked at a startup, where I got to apply and grow my new skills. And now I’m thrilled to be here at a global, well-established company, continuing my journey as a Junior Software Engineer at COS.

What caught your interest in COS Systems?

Before I applied, I’d heard great things about COS from people who had worked with some of the employees here. When I walked into the office for my interview, everyone was so welcoming and warm—that feeling only grew stronger at my second interview. COS is a well-established company with a solid, well-structured system that I truly respect. The employees seem perfectly suited to their roles, and it’s clear everyone genuinely enjoys what they do.

What are your goals for the coming months?

I want to learn as much as possible about the company as a whole and grow into my role as a Junior Developer. I’m naturally curious and love understanding how things work. I’m also excited to get to know my colleagues—both here in Sweden and across other continents—and to better understand what everyone is working on at COS.

Why should people contact you and press the “connect with Emma” button?

I’m still new to the company and to my role as a Junior Developer, so I might not always be the right person for work-related questions just yet. But I do love a good chat, and if I can make someone smile, that makes my day. My hairdressing background means I’m naturally tuned in to listening and staying open to any kind of conversation. I’ve learned that when you do that, you often discover things you’d never have looked for on your own.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I pick up different dialects terrifyingly fast—it honestly embarrasses me sometimes! I’ll be mid-conversation and suddenly realize I’m talking just like the person I’m with. Help!
I also lived for a year in Barcelona, and I spent some time living in Hemavan, a ski resort in northern Sweden, while working in Mo i Rana, Norway. Fun fact: the road between Hemavan and Mo i Rana is only about 10 miles, but it’s incredibly tough to drive. Some days the road completely disappeared under the snow, and once I was even chased by a moose (true story!). They’re way faster than you’d think—I had to speed off in my car to get away!

If you could swap jobs with anyone at COS Systems for a day, who would it be and why?

Since I’m still new, I haven’t learned exactly what everyone does yet. But from what I’ve seen, I’d choose Maren Buchmüller, Head of Marketing—just to try something completely different. It also seems like a lot of fun!

What’s your go-to productivity hack when things get busy?

Headphones on and 8D music—it’s magical how focused I become. I also make sure to take short breaks throughout the day; I prefer many small ones rather than one long break, and I always try to get some fresh air.

If you could instantly become an expert in one new skill, what would it be?

I’d love to instantly become an expert in more programming languages, cybersecurity, and machine learning.

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long workday?

An audiobook while I’m driving or out for a walk is my go-to. A good workout—or a good meal paired with a great TV show—also helps me relax after a long day.

Lastly, what’s one word your friends or colleagues would use to describe you?

•  Caring.

Welcome aboard Emma!