Position: Consultant at EY (Ernst & Young)
Education: Master’s degree programme in Economics and Business Administration at NTNU Business School

Learnt how to learn at NTNU

- In 99 percent of all jobs, you need to relate to other people. In addition to all the academic work I learnt during my studies, I met a all kinds of personalities and faced many situations that gave me useful insights for the rest of my life, says Malin Friman.

Malin Friman finished her master’s degree programme in Economics and Business Administration at NTNU Business School in 2016.

When asked how her way into the job market was, she answers “straight forward”.
Even before Friman finished her master’s degree, she was offered a job in EY (Ernst & Young).

- At the NTNU Business School, corporate presentations take place during the autumn and spring semester. EY gave a presentation in connection with the recruitment of graduates, and I got a job as early as February. I had no relevant work experience in finance, but the job market was very good, especially for those who wanting to work as accountants, says Friman, who says she is really happy with her job in a well-established, international company.

Likes the diversity of the job 

She has been working for four years at EY in Trondheim.
- What does a normal working day look like for you?
- It is really varied. A normal working day right now is different from how it was two months ago. As a consultant, you often have shorter assignments, which can be anything from being hired to a company as one of its employees, to working on process improvement of accounting reporting. Currently I am hired as a project coordinator which includes a lot of management and coordination.

And particularly in the position as a project coordinator, she finds her experiences from arranging UKA comes in handy
  And of course, that she learnt how to structure her work during the studies, which is essential when coordinating projects.

Appreciated the Alumni evenings 

- What has the Alumni network meant for you?
- The NTNU Business School has arranged alumni evenings once a year with lectures and mingling. It has been inspiring to meet former students again and hear about their new jobs and experiences on these evenings.

Friman believes networking is important in many ways. For instance, having someone to talk to when you need help and advice in solving a work issue.  She also knows that if she is going to change jobs in the future, knowing someone at the new workplace who can put in a good word is, obviously, an advantage. 

Social skills are not acquired through books 

The knowledge she got through the studies at the School of Business has been useful in her job. But one of the most important things she learnt at NTNU was how to learn. Friman explains:
- Of course the subjects have been useful, but I think the most important quality is that you develop a critical approach to issues and how to structure the work most effectively. You simply learn how to acquire knowledge and learn new things in the best way to gain a good understanding.

She also highlights what she calls ‘soft skills’, all the learning that happens only by participating in the student life in her spare time and all the people you meet. 

- Social skills are not acquired through books. But they are incredibly important in working life.

Wants to be the best version of herself

- What motivates you in your work?
- EY is a fantastic workplace for those who wish to learn something new and develop professionally, if you want to move in a direction - whether it is forwards or sideways. With each assignment, you are presented with a new challenge and you get to test yourself. 

- I admit I think it is fun to work in a prestigious company, but the most important thing is the sense of achievement and that you develop to become the best version of yourself, Friman says.

And by helping companies becoming more efficient and profitable, you also contribute to NTNU's vision "knowledge for a better world".