In Norway, using a phone and the internet is a matter of course, but in other parts of the world, particularly in some of our markets in Asia, the reality is completely different.
Emma Hartland Gramstad
Landed her dream job with Telenor
With both a CEMS degree and master’s degree from NHH, Emma Hartland Gramstad’s career is off to a flying start.
This autumn, Emma Hartland Gramstad (25) started as a management trainee in the telecom giant Telenor’s communication department.
With over 36,000 employees and projects in 13 countries worldwide, the 25-year-old has plenty of challenges to deal with. Gramstad describes the job as very varied and exciting.
- My day-to-day work varies a great deal. I write articles for publication on the intranet, carry out strategic planning for Telenor’s public face, assist the top executives in connection with interviews with the media and run campaigns to increase employees' engagement in Telenor.
Working on projects in Asia
As a new employee, Gramstad will ‘shadow’ Telenor's director of communications for a year to learn about both external and internal communication.
- Communication and strategy have always fascinated me. I therefore feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to work with just this combination. I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I think I’ve found my dream job, says the former NHH student.
As a trainee, Gramstad works closely with all of the telecom group’s departments. Among other things, she gets to take part in developing and following up projects abroad.
- In Norway, using a phone and the internet is a matter of course, but in other parts of the world, particularly in some of our markets in Asia, the reality is completely different. When Telenor entered the market in Myanmar a few years ago, only 10 per cent of the population had telephones and a SIM card cost 100 dollars or more, says Gramstad.
- Telecommunication was far from available to everyone, while, today, Telenor has more than 16 million users in the country. It is incredibly inspiring to be part of making communication available to everyone.
- NHH is a hallmark of quality
The 25-year-old has always wanted to travel abroad. It was her interest in meeting people from other countries and cultures that landed her a job at the embassy in Ottawa, Canada in 2013.
The same interest in learning about other countries and cultures also led to her decision to take a CEMS degree at ESADE Business School in Barcelona.
- CEMS has given me an international master’s degree at the highest level, but, most importantly, it gave me an extraordinary experience and a unique sense of camaraderie with students from all over the world.
Gramstad recommends other students to take advantage of the opportunities to either work or study abroad.
- A degree from NHH is a hallmark of quality in itself, but experience from abroad helps you to stand out from the rest of the pile of applicants. Having both a CEMS degree and master’s degree from NHH played a big role for my current job. I would recommend others to do the same.
Text: Sigrid Grøm Bakken