Landed a Job Before Finishing Her Master’s Degree

What made you choose this master's specialization?

I started a bachelor’s in petroleum and process technology straight after high school. I knew I wanted to work with energy, but I wasn’t sure exactly what. At one point, I thought: if I really want to make a difference in the oil industry, it’s better to go into the industry rather than stand on the outside.

My interest in this specialization began during lectures in the PTEK courses, when we started learning about Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)—how you can use foam and CCUS to enhance oil production while also storing CO₂. That way, you can still generate revenue from oil while making the process more environmentally friendly. You’re contributing to the green transition, even while working within the oil sector.

What’s it like to be a master’s student at the Department of Physics and Technology (IFT)?

It’s been a lot of fun! I really like that we have our own building next to the science building—it creates a smaller, close-knit environment. The student board for physics and technology (FFT) brings together students across almost all the study tracks, so you naturally get to know people from other programs.

I know who works in administration, I know the other students, and I know who does what. The smaller environment makes it easier to stay connected and be involved. We even have a joint Christmas party for both students and staff.

It feels very low-threshold to just knock on a professor’s door if you want to ask or discuss something. I know all the PhD students in our research group, which makes it easier to get oriented and get help when I need it.

What is your thesis about, and why did you choose this topic?

The idea behind my thesis is to create CO₂ foam to enhance oil recovery. At the same time, when you're pushing oil out, you're also pushing out more water—which frees up space underground to store CO₂. This can be used for pure storage, but also for CCUS applications to increase production.

I chose this topic because it seemed exciting. It’s a mix of practical and theoretical work, and it gave me the opportunity to try different things and help shape the project myself.

You get a deep insight into the reservoir processes, which is knowledge you can apply in many different fields. I’ve done core-scale lab experiments here on campus, and I’ve also been at Haukeland University Hospital to do experiments using PET and CT imaging—they’re actually the only ones in the world using that specific technology, which is really cool.

I’ve also done some numerical simulations, which are very relevant for the job I’m starting now as a reservoir engineer. Simulation is something we use every day at work.

What key skills have you developed during your master’s?

There’s a lot! But if I had to highlight one thing, it would be learning how to handle large datasets—being able to extract what’s important and navigate complex technical material.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the lab and learned many hands-on, technical skills I never thought I’d be able to do—everything from fixing pumps to building setups.

A lot of my thesis work was in collaboration with a PhD student, so I’ve also developed strong teamwork skills. And through different extracurricular roles, I’ve had to tackle many tasks and solve problems in collaboration with others.

Taking on something as big as a thesis—this is the largest project I’ve ever worked on—has really challenged me and helped me grow.

Were you involved in any extracurricular activities during your studies?

Yes! I was the student representative on the program board, which is made up of professors and staff, where we mainly discuss academic matters and study program direction. That gave me insight into how meetings with senior staff work and let me be a voice for the students.

I’ve also been involved in FFT, which focuses more on the social side of student life—how to engage students, plan fun events, and reach as many people as possible.

My biggest leadership role was with SPE Bergen Student Chapter. I joined in my first year and served as president for three years. SPE is the link between the energy industry and students, so we worked a lot with companies, hosted presentations, and participated in Bergen Section events—which is the professional branch of SPE Bergen.

Through that, I got to attend conferences and different events, and I’ll actually continue in the fall as the Young Professional coordinator. It’s been a great way to meet people in the industry and learn about the opportunities out there.

I’ve had several really fun leadership roles, but the highlight for me was getting to travel to TU Delft this past fall. It was amazing to visit a respected university, present our work, hear what they’re working on, build connections, and experience something completely new—all while getting to know the people I normally work with in a totally different setting.

Do you have any tips for new master’s students?

It’s never too early to start writing—and don’t worry too much about structure or perfect sentences at first. The most important thing in the beginning is just to get words on the page. If you have four messy pages, it’s so much easier to go back and improve them. The hardest part is getting started, so start early!

Also, enjoy your time as a student and make the most of the freedom you have. Take a day off during the week if the weather’s nice—just work a little more in the evenings or on weekends to make up for it. Don’t stress too much, and don’t take everything too seriously.

No question is a stupid question. Ask to be involved in things, ask to join lab work, just get going. The thesis is a full year of your life—so it’s worth doing it properly and really immersing yourself in it.

Be proactive. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback just from asking questions and showing interest. You may not know what you’re getting into at first, but it’ll all work out in the end!