Life as an intern with us

Hello! We are Astrid and Runar, and we have spent ten weeks on placement at Link Utvikling. Normally we are taking a master degree in innovation and management at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, but here we have had the chance to work as project coordinators. We thought we would tell you a little about it.

Being on placement is one of the main reasons I, Astrid, chose the programme I did, and I had really looked forward to this semester. Lovely to add something to the CV while taking the degree. I had a fair few expectations for the placement. I was curious about whether this is an industry I would enjoy, and whether I would manage the tasks I was given.

Like Astrid, I, Runar, chose the programme largely because of the references and work experience the placement gives you. As someone fairly new to working life, I had no specific expectations beyond taking useful learning and experience with me.

In our very first week at Link Utvikling we were given real responsibility and were quickly welcomed as ordinary team members. That naturally made us feel part of the group and take ownership of the tasks we carried out. We quickly understood that this industry moves fast, that something new is always happening, and that you have to keep up.

Here at Link Utvikling we have, as mentioned, had the honour of being project coordinators for the innovation project Kulturjakten. That has involved everything from market analysis, marketing and graphic design to writing applications and business development. What a journey it has been.

We have tried new things, while also getting the chance to work out what we are good at and what we are less good at. CEO Hana has involved us in several interesting processes, and it has been great fun to see that what we learned at university actually came in useful.

We have tried a lot of different things here at Link Utvikling. It has been exciting to work creatively and freely within our tasks. The way the company works meant we got to know working life well in a short time, and we learned a great deal about how interactions work between us as a company and clients, other companies, interest organisations and funds. This is knowledge we could never have gained through study alone.

One result of the tasks, challenges and opportunities I, Astrid, have been given here is that my confidence and self-belief in working life have grown. I have also become seriously good at writing applications and other formal documents. In many ways Link Utvikling made room for me to use my strengths and develop the areas where I was less strong. Before the placement I saw myself as somewhat technically limited, but after ten weeks in a tech company the situation is completely different. I have not worked on the technical side, but because the company is small enough that all departments work together, I have picked up so much that I understand far more. Now I am even asked for my opinion on technical matters, which was unthinkable ten weeks ago.

After ten good weeks here at Link Utvikling, I, Runar, am left with a lot of positive experiences. I have been challenged in many areas I was not comfortable with before, which has grown my sense of mastery and confidence. I have learned that you should see tasks as a chance to learn rather than as difficult challenges where you are bound to fail. It has also been fascinating to experience the togetherness and working culture in a small startup. I think many large companies have a lot to learn here.

Thank you so much, Link Utvikling, for a great placement, a good working environment and a steep learning curve.