Author: Christina Nodeland Larsen

Today it´s one week until application deadline! Did you know that there is currently about 710 different Master programs to choose from in Norway? It can be quite difficult deciding what is most important to you when considering which master´s program you want to apply for. It´s a jungle out there, so here´s a few tips that may help you make the right choice.

1. Do your research

Good research is important, and the first thing to do is to narrow down your options to which programs you qualify for and which you are really interested in. Then you should take a look at your job opportunities after finishing the program. You should also check out the location, facility and student life of the university, and what kind of connection the university and particular program have to the industry.

2. Stay updated

Normally we would recommend attending education fairs, but obviously that´s out of the question these days, due to Covid-19. Most universities have stepped up their social media game by now, so make sure to stay updated by following their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Some master´s programs even have their own accounts on social media.

3. Ask questions

We´re sure you have a lot of questions. The threshold for contacting the universities, and team working on the relevant master´s program, is very low. Write yourself a list of questions and give us a call, write us an e-mail, or invite us to a video meeting to get your questions regarding the master answered.

4. Follow your interests

This is our most important tip, so do some good thinking on this one. Which master´s program gives you the opportunity to work with what YOU are passionate about? What motivates you? Remember – what you like to do, you will do best.

Selecting a master program is not necessarily a simple choice. Will it lead to the job and career you want? Is there a demand for this competence in the market? In the following we present 3 reasons for why we believe Shift is a good choice.

1. Because you get to make a difference

We can all agree that we need to make a change towards a more sustainable world. We need to change the way we produce, consume, and dispose in order to do something about climate changes and social differences. At Shift we believe in entrepreneurship as a tool to make positive changes through cooperation and responsible innovation. By taking the Shift program you learn how to spot and realize the business opportunities inherent in this change, and thus making a positive contribution to society. 

2. Because you get practical experience

At Shift we combine theory and practice in every course. You get to cooperate with actual businesses, work on real-life business problems, and most importantly: you start your own business – not for fun, FOR REAL. After two years at Shift you are thus left with a valuable network, invaluable experience from the startup process, AND a degree (including a siviløkonom/sivilingeniør title if you come in with bachelor’s in business or engineering). Finally, you also graduate as the founder of a company, that you can choose to keep working in if you want to continue the entrepreneurial journey.

3. Because you get degree that enables you to combine your competencies with your interests

The skills you gain as a student at Shift is not industry specific. Rather, you can use your competency to innovate, commercialize, and make changes across industries. Regardless of whether you want to work in your own startup, or be employed by a larger organization, and whatever you are interested in – be it technology, fashion, fishing or music – you can build a career that aligns with your interests.

We are often asked whether the students at Shift need to come up with their own ideas to base their business on. The answer to this is no. The business ideas that Shift students work on may come from different sources. They can be provided by the students themselves, but also by researchers at the university, by public organizations and by established businesses. Consequently, the idea testing process is a great opportunity to interact with established companies.

            The idea testing takes place in the first semester. During selected weeks you will be testing dozens of ideas in terms of their social, environmental, and commercial potential. When the testing period is over you´re left with a solid handful of good ideas to develop further into impactful businesses.

            We know that established businesses often come up with new ideas, which they might not have sufficient time or resources to further develop themselves – with the result that a lot of promising ideas are never realized. For these businesses Shift offers an opportunity to bring the idea to life. Read more about how to suggest ideas to Shift here, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have an idea you want to discuss.