Secured a job months before graduating
NHH students get a head start on their careers: Here are their top job tips.
A year ago, Anna Sophia Olsson-Hagan (24) from Bergen had no idea which path to take after her final NHH exam.
But an internship in Frankfurt through the [Innovation School] course turned out to be a career-defining move.
'I took the initiative to talk to people during the internship. A partner at the company helped open some doors,' says Olsson-Hagan.
Talks were held. Recommendations were exchanged. She delivered in tests and interview rounds. In October last year, eight months before graduating, she secured the contract.
This summer, she moves to Copenhagen to join the KPMG team working with transfer pricing. She performed so well that she could choose between a job in Stockholm and the Danish capital.
'It will be exciting to move to a new city, build a new network and meet new colleagues. I’m looking forward to creating a new everyday life,' says Olsson-Hagan.
She holds a Business Analytics profile from NHH and will, among other things, work on implementing new technology in her new role.
Don’t be too picky!
Over the past six months, gloomy headlines have dominated career coverage in Norwegian media. Among other things, there are reports of a tighter job market for newly graduated economists, not least as a result of AI developments.
'Do you think that’s real?'
'To some extent. I was fortunate to get a job early, so I didn’t have time to worry that much. But the competition is probably tougher now than a few years ago. At the same time, I think you compete more with candidates who know AI than with the technology itself,' says Olsson-Hagan.
For her, the stay in Frankfurt proved decisive:
'There is tough competition for internships as well. But once you get a spot, the path to a job is shorter. The same has happened to two of my closest friends at NHH. Both got jobs where they had their internships.'
The latest graduate survey showed that 90 percent of the 2025 cohort were in full-time employment six months after graduation. Of these, 89 percent received their job offer before their final exam.
'What is your advice to those looking for internships or jobs?'
'I think the most important thing is to do something that makes you stand out. It helps to get involved in something beyond your studies, whether that is student associations, organisations or other projects. You may also need to be less picky, and be open to starting somewhere that is not necessarily your first choice,' she says.
From the other side of the globe comes a reassuring perspective:
'An economics degree can be used for many things. You’re not locked into a specific career.'
The words come from Christiane Desirèe Øvrebø, currently at the very end of an exchange stay in Perth, Australia.
Already in August last year, the NHH student secured an audit position in Stavanger — coincidentally in the same company as Olsson-Hagan, but with entirely different responsibilities.
Øvrebø has a master’s profile in Business Analysis and Performance Management (BUS) and applied through the regular process in August last year. She also received an offer for a similar position at PwC, but chose KPMG.
Throughout her studies, she has been active and proactive at various career events and company presentations. She now encourages current and prospective students to do the same. Øvrebø has also used LinkedIn actively to expand her network.
She is not entirely sure what ultimately made the difference in securing the job.
'But based on my own experience, I would advise others to highlight all relevant experience on their CV. And not not just from their studies, but also previous roles, volunteering and similar activities. Even if it is not directly relevant to the job, it shows engagement and different sides of who you are as a person.'
NHH graduates in demand
Another student on the move is Frida Strandkleiv Øverland (23). After graduation and a short summer break, she is heading to Oslo to start work as an analyst in technology and strategy at consulting giant Accenture.
She also secured her job in August last year. From the very start of her studies, Øverland had her career in mind. She took on roles and worked deliberately to gain relevant work experience. Around Easter in her fourth year, she started applying for full-time positions.
'Since I started that early, I was able to apply for many positions. I also advanced in several processes and was fortunate to receive multiple offers. I chose Accenture partly because I had a very good impression of the company from the internship I did last summer.'
She believes an NHH degree gives candidates an advantage.
'NHH is a school many people are familiar with, and several of those hiring have studied there themselves. It gives employers some insight into what the education entails and likely creates a sense of confidence when they assess candidates,' says Øverland, who will not be moving to Oslo alone.
She wrote her master’s thesis together with Nina Grøntoft. Both have landed jobs at the same company.
'How will the transition from student life be?'
'I’m looking forward to properly trying myself out in working life. As a student, your work and results usually only affect yourself. As an employee, more people are directly affected by your work. That can be motivating, but also a bit daunting,' says Øverland.
Four good tips
In summary, here are the graduate’s top tips for fellow students looking for a job:
- During your studies: Choose what you are genuinely interested in, both academically and in activities outside your studies (student roles, part-time work, summer jobs).
- When applying: Be clear about what you can contribute. That is not always easy as a student, but that is exactly why experience from student roles and part-time jobs is valuable.
- Identify your strengths and show them through examples, not just claims.
- Some say you should apply to everything. I would not necessarily recommend that. You won’t have time to make each application good enough. Spend time writing strong applications and tailoring your CV so you clearly show what you can offer.