Higher executive officer at the Ministry of Finance

What does your job entail?

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for planning and implementing economic policy. As an employee in the tax policy department, I work on the annual tax and fee proposals in the state budget, as well as the preparation of technical advice for the political leadership in the Ministry of Finance. My tasks primarily involve economic analysis of corporate and shareholder taxation, which includes assessing the effects on efficiency, distribution, and revenue from changes in tax regulations.

What's the most exciting part of your job?

The most exciting aspect of the job is being a part of shaping economic policy. It feels particularly meaningful that our analyses become part of the decision-making foundation for the political leadership.

How do you apply your education in your job?

Much of what I learned at Blindern is very useful in my daily work. In the analysis work, we encounter many different types of economic models and research methods, which means that many of the topics from my studies come in handy. Often, the analyses need to be communicated to people without an economic background, so they must be presented in an understandable way. Here, having a solid understanding of basic economic theory is an advantage.

What is a typical day at work like?

A typical day at work can vary. During the state budget period and when addressing questions from the political parties in Parliament, it can be hectic, with meetings and multiple issues to cover in a short time. In other periods, there may be room for more in-depth analysis work, allowing time to delve deeper and read research.

How did you get the job?

I had long viewed the Ministry of Finance as a place where I wanted to work. Therefore, I attended the company presentation and participated in speed interviews to learn more about what it was like to work there. After an interview process in the fall, during my final year of my master's program, I was fortunate enough to be one of those who received an offer.

What's your best tip for other students who want a job like yours?

My best advice is to acquire basic programming skills and become comfortable working with Excel. This is very helpful when conducting various analyses. Additionally, the most important thing is to have fun while studying, as it makes everything much easier.

(The interview was originally conducted in Norwegian and is translated into English).