Tips from new colleagues

Starting at Karlstad University can involve many new impressions and experiences.
Here, new employees share their best tips and reflections, together with some advice from us as an employer.

Tips from New Employees

• Karlstad University is a friendly, medium-sized organisation with a relaxed and inclusive working culture. It is easy to make contact, get support and find your way, thanks to short decision-making processes.
• Be curious and take initiative. Personal interaction, such as dropping by a colleague’s office or making a phone call, is often quicker than email and gives you a better understanding of how things work.
• Much collaboration takes place informally, for example in the coffee room, in corridors or during shared activities. By joining in and asking questions, you often gain both answers and new colleagues to get to know.
• The University encourages ideas and independence, offering plenty of opportunities to influence, develop and shape your work.
• There is a wide range of support services and resources available, including IT and HR, wellbeing initiatives, training and internal networks – and the city of Karlstad itself is easy to settle into, with most things close at hand and good opportunities to build networks both at work and beyond.

Tips from Us as an Employer

Use Inslaget, our intranet, as your start page to stay up to date with everything that’s happening.
Check the calendar to find important meetings, activities and events across the university.
Karlstad University offers Swedish tuition for international employees, please talk to your head of department for more information. 
If you need help with digital teaching, technology or Zoom, Keeponteaching offers quick and simple support.
Explore the possibility of staff exchanges and be inspired by other higher education institutions around the world.

Have lunch in whatever way suits you – many bring their own food, but there are also several restaurants on and near campus. Each department also has its own kitchen area and lunch spaces.
Make use of the opportunity for lunchtime training at Nordic Wellness Karlstad Campus, or take a walk along the beautiful sKAUgen path just next to campus.
Take part in the fika culture – coffee machines are close at hand in every department and division, and fika is a natural way to meet.
Don’t miss the staff party – a much-appreciated opportunity to meet colleagues from across the university and get to know people outside your immediate area.

Use Kau City, our centrally located facilities in town, which you are free to book for meetings or for a workday in a different environment.
Discover Ingesund School of Music, part of Karlstad University and the largest concert organiser in Värmland – many of its concerts can be found directly in the calendar.