Benedicte discovered her interest in UX design while on her exchange year, and has since pursued her dream with studies in digital marketing at Noroff. Now, she looks forward to a career that combines these two exciting fields.
Benedicte Ravn (25) realized during her media studies at NTNU that this wasn't the right path for her. During her second-year exchange, she decided to explore other interests and potential career paths.
- I was on a exchange year through the university I previously attended, and I realized that I had chosen the wrong field of study. I therefore spent the semester abroad figuring out what I wanted to study, she says.
This search led her to a Google certification in UX design, which captured her interest. Inspired by this, she chose to start at Noroff to pursue this new passion and take a year of studies in UX design.
Increased Competence
After completing her first year in UX design, Benedicte found that her interest in digital fields was growing. She wanted to expand her skills and therefore chose to include digital marketing in her study plan. This decision was driven by her desire for broader professional expertise and an understanding of how these fields can complement each other.
- I chose these studies because they are so career-oriented and an incredibly cool combination. I use them interchangeably, and I find it exciting to see how the fields can work together, she explains.
Studying online was a conscious decision that fit well with her life situation. Without a campus in her hometown, Trondheim, and a desire to stay there, she chose the flexibility that online studies offer. Online studies also gave her the opportunity to combine her studies with the part-time job she already had.
- I have studied online for a long time and enjoy it. Additionally, there was no campus in my city, and I didn't want to move away, she says.
Structured Everyday Life
This adaptation has allowed her to maintain a consistent routine that balances studies and work.
The everyday life of an online student requires discipline, but Benedicte has found her own method to stay motivated. With an early start to the day, a cup of coffee, and a structured schedule, she ensures that she gets the most out of her study time.
- I make sure to start the day early, even though I could theoretically sleep in late. I begin the day with a cup of coffee and some breakfast, and I make sure to take a lunch break and have a set routine for how the day is organized, she shares.
Distractions are a challenge many online students face, but Benedicte has developed strategies to overcome them.
- I either listen to lo-fi music with my AirPods or sit with my AirPods without any sound at all. If that doesn't work, I do something completely different for half an hour, then sit down and try again, she says.
Benedicte is pleased with how online studies are functioning, despite less social interaction. She finds that communication with fellow students and teachers through Teams is crucial for her study progression.
- I really enjoy online studies, and I think it works very well. It's certainly less social than in-person studies, which can feel a bit heavy at times, she admits.
She adds that good communication with fellow students and teachers via Teams is helpful.
Relevance to the Workforce
The connection to the workforce is evident in Benedicte's studies, making them especially valuable. She feels that her fields of study are highly relevant to the job market, even though it can be challenging to gain recognition from companies that lack experience with online students.
- I feel that the studies are extremely job-relevant. Companies out there have not been open to either vocational school students or online students, and one can feel a bit undervalued because of that, she explains.
Nevertheless, she is very optimistic because of the new Student Community platform, which gives students even better opportunities for jobs after graduation.
- Student Community is a website created for students at Noroff; it is somewhat similar to LinkedIn and Facebook. Users can share their projects to receive feedback, communicate with students across different fields, and meet companies.
Benedicte has just completed an exciting internship at a startup called soSnaxy. The company makes healthy energy bars made from dates. Benedicte's responsibilities during her internship included creating content for soSnaxy's Instagram account.
With valuable experience in hand and plans in place, Benedicte looks forward to landing her first job in design or marketing.
- I obviously hope for a job in design or marketing, or a combination. I got an internship in March that I am working on a bit, so with some work experience, I hope to land my first job before I finish!
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