Happy dogs

What are sisters for? 

The girls and their best friends Alf and Theo. 

You would not believe how hard it is to make these pictures happen :)

Näringslivets pris

So on friday I won tickets to Näringslivets pris, for the first part. I was contacted the day before that I had won tickets because my teacher had nominated me, and that made me happy! In total we were 5 students who had done a good job and won tickets for the gala. :) It was so inspirational, and I really feel like Luleå is the place to be right now. We are growing and becoming more international each day that passes. (So if you are planning on applying to a university, LTU is my recommendation. You still have until tomorrow ;) ) I love the fact that LTU takes care of its students, and they are working more and more on bringing students and businesses together. There is still work to be done, but it is going towards the right direction! 

This weekend has been good. Yesterday we celebrated Peter's birthday with good food and movies with friends, and today we have been tidying up the apartment and planning our future. I also went for a run, which has never been my thing. It is almost like my body has no idea how to. But maybe if I start running like once a week, I'll grow some running muscles  -  something I do not currently possess.  

And btw, if you like horror movies try Sinister! I almost died. 

Wohoo

http://exjobblulea.se/2013/04/11/studenter-till-naringslivets-pris/

Light at the end of the tunnel!

Like I've mentioned about a thousand times, I really love Netflix. Today I felt like watching a series I really loved growing up: Ally Mcbeal. I was so sure I'd become a lawyer, which I had decided when I was about 9. When I was about 17 I started to study Business and Management, and when I was 18 I decided that that was the way I wanted to go. It was about the same time I "discovered" LTU. I wonder what my life would look like if I had chosen law at Rovaniemi or wherever? Scaaaary.. 

But anyway, today I finally finished my transcription process. That is the part where you take the interviews and put them on paper - or Word. 11 pages. 11. And now I have to decide what is relevant for analysis and my paper. Analyzing is my favorite part of the thesis, although I like each part quite a bit: introduction is fun because it gets you into the right "mood". Literature overview is extremely educating, but hard. It takes a lot of time and effort, but I like it nonetheless. Many hate the method chapter, but I looove it. Some call it "academic bullshit" but it is extremely important when making any kind of research! My fourth chapter, data presentation, is the part that I "finished" today. Now I'm going to take a small break and start analyzing. Wish me luck!

How to get more "work" experience during your studies

One of the best things you can do during your studies is getting involved in a student group of some kind. During my 5 years at LTU I've been involved in Ekonomsektionen, which is a student group that arranges different types of happenings for those who study business and economics. You can become a representative for your class in programrådet, which is a board that focuses on how to develop the courses you are taking, or any problems students have in courses. I am also the student representative at the employment board for our faculty, which is the best thing ever! What we do is we deal with the employment issues, such as interviewing new professors and so on. That is so much fun and you learn so many new things every time.

I want to encourage all students to try at least something! It is totally worth it! Not only does it look good on your resume but you also get to meet new people. Of course there is a risk that you might actually learn something new that you don't need for your education ;)

To study or not to study..

Last week I was asked to come talk to students about what it is like to study International business master. And how many business students show up? One. Only one person of three whole classes. Does that mean that only a few consider a master's degree or are they all leaving to a different university? For me it was always clear that I'd get a master's degree. It is a great way to deepen your knowledge and I'm quite sure a master's degree makes you more attractive for employers. 

I think many choose not to get a master's degree because they do not want to study two additional years. Honestly, I haven't even "noticed" these two years. What I mean by that is that time has flown so quickly that I cannot tell the difference between 5 and 3 years. I also feel more ready to start working- something I didn't feel 2 years ago. Yes, at times there is a tiny voice in my head saying "you still don't know anything", which I guess is normal. You learn by doing of course, but I also know I know a lot more now than I did 2 years ago. 

It's not exactly surprising that only one person showed up to find out about our master's program. From all the people I studied with only I continued at LTU. Some became "civilekonomer", other continued elsewhere and quite many begun to work. I'm sure all of us are doing pretty good no matter what we decided, and I'm really happy about choosing LTU for my master's. 

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel

What a week. The past weekend I was in Stockholm, because I was collecting data for my thesis (YAY!) and we also had our yearly conference. At FOREX we wish to feel connected with each other no matter where you work: HQ, Luleå, Stockholm etc, so we meet once a year for a conference which was at Munchenbryggeriet this year. It is inspiring to hear the CEO and other managers tell about the year that has been but also share their ideas for the future :) 

I got to interview our HR manager, who has won tons of prizes for Employer Branding and HR, and she had so many great things to say that I feel will help with my thesis. Also my interview with our Employer Branding project manager gave me so many new things to "add" to my frame of reference (or for for future research). Now I still have 3 more shorter interviews left and then my data collection is done. I'm just so happy the biggest part of this is done so I can start analyzing soon. 

AND, I'm soooo happy the sun is shining and you can see spring coming. Hurray!