“The Top-up studies gave me a strong academic foundation”
Monika Milovanovic explains how her Top-up studies in International Business Management gave her the academic grounding she was seeking to combine practical experience in banking and finance with deeper theoretical knowledge. With international studies behind her and a career journey that has taken her from SEB to her current role as Financial Adviser and Partner at Meriti Wealth Management, she shares her insights on her studies, the lessons learned, and how the programme has shaped her professional path.
Can you tell us a little about your background and why you chose to pursue a Top-up Degree in International Business Management?
– I had already completed a YH programme in Business Management through Exportakademin in collaboration with Jönköping University, which included a semester in Jinhua, China. That experience gave me both an international perspective and cultural understanding.
After completing my studies, I began working at SEB, focusing on private clients, and then moved on to PRI, where I was responsible for securities management for foundation clients. My work included fund and equity transactions as well as capital flows linked to accounts, such as during new issues, dividends and other corporate actions.
I chose to continue my studies and complete a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Management through the Top-up programme because I wanted to build a stronger academic foundation for my future career. This has been an important step in deepening my understanding of both business management and finance – knowledge that I now use extensively in my role as Financial Adviser and Partner at Meriti Wealth Management.
What did you find most interesting and rewarding during your studies?
– Accounting & Finance was the course I enjoyed most. We conducted our own company analyses and learned to understand the interplay between the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow analysis. These are skills I use every day in my work.
Another highlight was my dissertation on Lufthansa, where I analysed the company’s financial development over five years. It became very clear how the pandemic affected the aviation industry, but also how Lufthansa managed to recover and even outperform pre-COVID figures. This task required in-depth analysis and the ability to interpret why various items changed so significantly between financial years.
How did the FEIFLEX format work for you?
– The FEIFLEX format worked very well. The freedom to plan my own days was invaluable, especially when balancing work. Being able to watch lectures afterwards and pause to take notes at my own pace made learning more effective and tailored to my needs.
The lecturers were also very responsive, often answering questions outside class time, which I really appreciated.
How have your studies helped you in your current role, and what are your plans for the future?
– The Top-up studies have provided me with a solid academic foundation that complements my practical experience in banking and finance. I have developed a deeper understanding of business management and financial analysis – knowledge that is directly applicable to my work as a Financial Adviser.
In the short term, I want to continue growing in my role at Meriti Wealth Management, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the company’s development. I also aim to further develop my expertise in asset management and financial advisory.
In the long term, I see opportunities to take on greater strategic responsibilities within the group or to combine my interest in business development with my financial expertise. I am also considering further studies, such as an MBA or a Master of Science in Finance. With a strong academic foundation behind me, I feel well-prepared to take on future challenges – whether that means advancing within Meriti Wealth Management or contributing to the development of the industry more broadly.
Published 30 September 2025