Wendela Lundén
How a junior high school student ended up at a senior expert company
Summer intern at Qamcom.
Inside the bustling offices of Qamcom – a leading research and technology company, you wouldn’t expect to encounter the vibrant enthusiasm of a 16-year-old. Yet here stands Wendela Lundén, a high school student from Sollentuna, already seen as a promising future star in the world of technology. A self-proclaimed tech enthusiast since the age of six, her passion speaks through her work, from programming to problem-solving in advanced electronics.
Wendela’s journey to Qamcom began with an introduction through her network – but it was her impressive skills and passion for technology that truly secured her an internship at the company that typically requires 6 years of relevant experience or a PhD for potential employees. In this case, we are certainly talking about a summer intern, but having someone as young as Wendela working on development projects is a first-time move for Qamcom.
And it’s clear that both she and Qamcom have valued the summer.
Name: Wendela Lundén
Age: 16
Family: Mom, dad, sister and a dog
Lives in: Sollentuna, north of Stockholm
Occupation: High school student (gymnasieelev)
Interests: Scouting, programming, electronics, music/playing instruments
“Qamcom is a company with many inspiring and talented minds from all over the world. Getting to work on groundbreaking projects and having colleagues who are not just experts but also mentors has been truly extraordinary. My time at Qamcom really cemented my interest and love for technology, electronics, and programming. I learned so much and I am thankful for that”, says Wendela.
The tasks.
“Wendela explored the idea of using a motorized stage to automatically align optical components in the microscope to make the assembly of the microscopes more consistent and efficient. The project involved programming the motors in C# to optimize the position of the optical elements. We are very impressed with Wendela’s skills and motivation and it’s been a pure pleasure having her at our office this summer. In the end, the projects provided us with the software needed for automatic alignment, and we will continue by looking into how this can be implemented into the production line in the future”, says Ole Martin Christensen, PhD, Senior Systems Engineer and Wendela’s mentor.
A symphony of interests.
It’s not every day that you encounter a teenager who not only excels in the complicated dance of coding and electronics but is also talented in playing the piano and guitar. Even the quirky sounds of a kazoo have a place in her repertoire. Wendela’s passion for music is as multi-dimensional as her technical skills.
“However, I want to point out that my profound love for technology began even before I learned to play the kazoo”, Wendela says with a smile.
Wendela also treasures her time as a scout, an activity that complements her indoor interests in adventures under open skies.
Future aspirations and reflections.
For Wendela, the future is a canvas of potential. She might not know exactly where she’ll be, but she’s certain technology will be at the center of her career. When talking about the evolution of tech, she presents a dual view – the advance of Artificial Intelligence and the equal importance of innovations that do not rely on AI.
Speaking about AI, Wendela considers the balance between fascination and caution. She sees AI as a gateway to understanding human cognition, yet she also acknowledges the laziness it can breed among the public.
“The way AI could change our lives is both incredible and a bit worrying. It’s super important that we stay smart about how we use it,” Wendela points out.
“I believe that technology isn’t something that should be made “girly” to attract more girls, we mainly need to show them what is so fun with tech to inspire them to do great things” says Wendela.
Young girls and technology.
In a field often perceived as lacking female representation, Wendela sees technology as a unifier, not a divider. She encourages young girls not to view tech as male-dominated but rather as a community where shared interests thrive. Her advice to fellow young girls is to immerse themselves in the sciences without preconceptions.
She advises on courses at Vetenskapens Hus and festivals like Tekla that can be good introductions for young women to the exciting forefront of science and technology. Wendela also encourages young girls not to view tech as male-dominated but rather as a community where shared interests thrive.
“I believe that technology isn’t something that should be made “girly” to attract more girls, we mainly need to show them what is so fun with tech to inspire them to do great things” says Wendela.
Wendela’s story is not just about a summer internship. it’s about breaking stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of tech enthusiasts. We wish her all the best for the future.