Job Shadow Day at FIU Latvia: students explore careers in financial intelligence

This year, 14 students chose to shadow FIU Latvia employees. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s work, participants were offered a diverse and engaging programme.

This year, interest in shadowing FIU Latvia employees was particularly high – all available placements were filled already during the second application round, before the final rounds had concluded. This highlights the growing interest among young people in careers as analysts and lawyers, as well as their eagerness to gain a deeper understanding of topics such as money laundering and sanctions implementation.

“This day helped me understand what the institution actually does and reflect on which professions might suit me in the future. I also found the practical advice on CV preparation and the working environment at FIU Latvia very useful. This was definitely one of my favourite Shadow Days,” shared Paula Ramiņa, an 8th-grade student at Ķekava Secondary School.

At the beginning of the day, students met with the Head of the Strategic and Tactical Analysis Division, who introduced the core functions of FIU Latvia and its role in strengthening Latvia’s financial security. Students developed practical skills by participating in mock job interviews alongside representatives from the Human Resources Development Division, receiving valuable advice on preparing CVs and motivation letters, and learning about internship opportunities at FIU Latvia.

Participants also discussed security-related topics and learned how sensitive information is handled, emphasising the importance of confidentiality. During the day, students stepped into the role of analysts – together with FIU experts, they analysed suspicious transaction reports, identified patterns and connections, and assessed potential risk indicators.

“It was very interesting to see how FIU Latvia works and how money laundering cases are detected. This experience also helped me better understand whether a career in law could be the right choice for me,” said Raimonds Freibergs, a 10th-grade student at Riga State Gymnasium No. 1.

Representatives of the Sanctions Divisions introduced students to sanctions implementation. Participants worked with a ship database and learned about the legal aspects considered when assessing sanctions risks. In addition, representatives of the Communication Division presented the role of a public relations specialist and explained how communication with the public and the media is managed.

At the end of the day, participants engaged in a discussion with the Head of FIU Latvia, Toms Platacis, asking questions and reflecting on their key impressions and future plans.

“The opportunity to take part in CV and job interview simulations was especially valuable – it helped us understand how to better prepare for the job application process,” said Paula and Raimonds.

Sharing their impressions, students acknowledged that they had significantly broadened their understanding of FIU Latvia’s work and career opportunities in the public sector. FIU Latvia hopes that the experience gained during Shadow Day will inspire young people to pursue careers in public service and, potentially, to join FIU Latvia in the future.

Shadow Day in Latvia is organised by Junior Achievement Latvia. It is part of a globally recognised career education programme that provides students with practical and comprehensive insights into various professions. For many years, the programme has successfully integrated career development into the education process, encouraging young people to plan their future paths already during their school years.