How NHH Student Knut (23) Ended Up in the Middle of Global Politics
When Donald Trump won the election, NHH student Knut Visdal (23) was thrown into a diplomatic whirlwind. The tasks he was given reeked of high-level politics.
NHH Students Are Being Recruited at Record Speed
Long before she finished her master’s degree, Ida F. Haltia (28) landed her dream job at Norges Bank - the central bank of Norway. The same is happening to an increasing number of NHH graduates.
Ida F. Haltia and Ingrid G. Trandem share a lot of history. They first got to know each other through NHHI’s group Squashjentene, they both chose to specialize in economics, and together they received the award for best master’s thesis at the department three years ago.
When Haltia received her diploma in June 2023, she had already been holding her employment contract from Norges Bank for quite some time.
«I was offered the job in October the year before I graduated. It was nice not having to stress about job applications during the final stretch of my studies,» she says.
Figures from the 2025 Candidate Survey conducted by Sammen Karriere, published today, confirm that NHH graduates like her are more sought after than ever.
Recruited before completing
- According to the new survey, 84 percent of NHH graduates secured a job before completing their studies.
- This is an increase of 11 percentage points from 2022. In 2019, the share was 64 percent.
- 95 percent report having a relevant job.
- 93 percent of NHH graduates are in permanent positions two years after completing their master’s degree.
- Only 1 percent were job seekers at the time of the survey.
- The survey, conducted by Sammen Karriere, includes students graduating in 2023.
«Employers recognize the value of NHH students’ competencies early on. This provides security for the students, while also sending a clear signal about the strong relevance of our educational programs,» says NHH’s Vice Rector for Education, Steffen Juranek.
Relevant
Three years after Ida F. Haltia secured her job, she has already gained substantial experience in the Monetary Policy Department. Eight times a year, Central Bank Governor Ida Wolden Bache & co. announce “up,” “down,” or “unchanged.” Haltia contributes by preparing the analytical basis for the interest rate decisions. In other words, her work helps influence all of us.
«I work closely with something the media – and many Norwegians – care a lot about. That makes the job feel very relevant,» Haltia says.
Her friend Ingrid G. Trandem is a senior analyst at the consulting firm Menon Economics. She works on economic analyses and assessments for public-sector clients such as the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Mapping Authority.
«Well-developed and academically strong analyses enable the client to make good decisions. That makes the job feel socially meaningful,» Trandem says.
thinking broadly
«What is your best advice for today’s NHH ambitious graduates?»
«Be curious, ask questions — whether it’s to lecturers or companies you come into contact with during your studies. Also reflect on: What motivates you? What inspires you? It’s easy to think too narrowly about career paths. But an NHH education gives you a broad foundation.»
Ida F. Haltia agrees.
«Don’t choose courses just because your friends choose the same ones,» she advises, and perhaps most importantly:
«Enjoy your student years while you can!»
Further reading:
NHH Rises in FT Ranking
NHH makes a strong advance in Financial Times’ international ranking of master’s programmes, and is now the best in Norway.