From Talent to Mentor – Meet Oscar

The Avalon Talent Program is back for its second edition since August. We caught up with Oscar, who participated in the program last year and is now mentoring one of this year’s talents. In this interview, Oscar shares his experiences as both a participant and a mentor, his career journey at Avalon, and valuable insights from both perspectives.

Hi! My name is Oscar Claesson, I’m 26 years old, and I work as a mechanical designer at Avalon. I’m currently on my second assignment since graduating, working at our subsidiary TC TECH, where my primary role is as a test engineer. TC TECH’s production system, TCP 170, is continuously evolving to meet changing market needs. As a test engineer, I evaluate prototypes and solutions to determine what works and what doesn’t. I’m also responsible for larger benchmark tests, assessing the overall performance of the machine and how new solutions integrate. It’s a critical role that requires attention to detail and precision. Documentation and report writing are also key parts of the job to ensure that results can be effectively utilized.

Avalon visited Blekinge Institute of Technology, where I earned my degree, to present the company and the talent program. I was immediately drawn in. What really stood out to me, and ultimately made me apply, was Avalon’s approach to innovation—being humble in the face of new challenges and supporting each other. The emphasis on growing at the right pace with the right people in the right places, rather than just striving to be the biggest, resonated with me. All these promises turned out to be true, and they continue to make me feel welcome and valued.

When I participated, it was Avalon’s first-ever talent program, so it was just as new to the company as it was to us participants. That year, the program mainly focused on what it means to be a consultant. We also had smaller lectures from our amazing colleagues, covering their areas of expertise, and worked on small challenges alongside our assignments.

This year, however, the program has expanded significantly. The new talents receive the same foundation I did, but they also take on larger, industry-relevant tasks to gain even more hands-on experience outside of their consulting assignments. I believe this has given them a real boost in their development!

I remember feeling incredibly nervous on my first day at Avalon. Despite all the positive impressions I had beforehand, it was my first time working as an engineer, and I wasn’t sure what was expected of me. Luckily, I had my own mentor, Daniel Wiktorsson, who provided great support—always checking in on me, offering valuable advice, and answering my many questions.

Because of the help I received at Avalon, I wanted to give back to the next group of talents. While I haven’t accumulated as much experience as my own mentor had, I do know exactly how it feels to be newly graduated, and that helps me relate and provide meaningful support.

The biggest insight I gained from the talent program came from listening to my colleagues’ career stories—both at Avalon and in their previous roles. I realized just how broad a career path can be within a single company. Our education gives us a foundation, but it’s through collaboration at Avalon that we push towards our goals. As long as you clearly communicate your ambitions and maintain an open dialogue with your team leaders, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles.

As a mentor, my insights developed over time. One of the biggest lessons was understanding that while casual conversations can be valuable, structured discussions are key. Checking in on what my mentee has been working on, if they’ve met new people, what challenges they’ve faced, and how they view their future helped me give better advice and follow up in later conversations. If I get the opportunity to mentor again, I’ll be sure to establish this structure early on.

Avalon places great emphasis on the person behind the degree. Qualities like being social, curious, and motivated to learn new things are valued more than the knowledge you already possess. This is particularly relevant for recent graduates who may not have extensive work experience.

As a consultant, you’ll often find yourself in new environments, meeting new people. The ability to collaborate and quickly build good relationships with colleagues is crucial. When speaking with Avalon, highlight your social skills and demonstrate your eagerness to grow—these are the qualities that will make you stand out.