“For me as an athlete, it offers assurance to know that I have my studies as a security. Being a student requires of me to be structured in my everyday life and means that I have to use my head on things other than cross-country skiing. It's nice to be able to disconnect from sports, and everyday life as a student gives me a sense of mastery in a new arena,” says Skinstad.
Part of a new programme
The 25-year-old from Gjøvik is part of the first admittance to the Master of science in business administration – major Business Analytics. Just over a year ago, he started a programme course with specialization in marketing management, but when the new specialization in business analytics became available, he applied for it.
“Business analytics has always been my first choice, so I am very happy that I am now part of the first cohort of the programme. I was admitted to three out of four subjects I took last year since the joint subjects are relatively similar, so I feel that I have gotten off to a good start,” says Skinstad.
A flexible course that awards the title civil economist
The study programme provides Skinstad and his fellow students with in-depth knowledge of analysis tools and financial management, as well as an understanding of digital framework conditions, technical insight and analytical skills. The master's degree is assembly-based, a flexibility that is crucial for Skinstad, who on completion of the degree will receive the title of civil economist.
“This is a solid education, and the title civil economist ensures that I get a five-year education following strict requirements. Professionally, I hope to learn a lot related to finance and management in particular and gain an increased understanding of what is important in all types of situations and companies, so that I will be able to make the right decisions,” says Skinstad.
He has now lived in Lillehammer for nine years but is relatively new as a student at INN University. In high school he studied at the Norwegian School of Elite Sports (NTG) before taking a bachelor's degree in economics, management and sustainability at NTNU. He has been granted elite sports status at INN University, and his aim is to complete his studies by Christmas 2024 or summer 2025.
“The goal in the short term is to become as good as possible in cross-country skiing, but for me it is important to combine sport with studies. The study programme is “assembly-based”, which means that it can be combined with being an athlete. Everyday life is thus predictable and structured, and it is easy to fit training and competitions into it,” says Skinstad.
He describes the Master of science in business administration – major Business Analytics as a future-oriented master's degree.
“I perceive the major in business analytics to be very relevant. It has a digital direction, which suits my interests well. I feel that the degree is well adapted to the working life of the future, and opens many opportunities,” says Skinstad.
A degree with an international focus
In addition to the digital aspect, Skinstad is clear that it was important to him that the master's degree has an international focus with English as the language of instruction.
“It ensures that I and my fellow students gain a greater academic understanding, while at the same time equipping me for a global job market across national borders. We have several talented exchange students in the class, and they bring with them tendencies and experiences from other countries, which ensures slightly different types of discussions and cases we work on,” says Skinstad.
He describes the exchange students as witnesses of truth with first-hand knowledge of how to solve current challenges in other countries.
Personally, he does not rule out looking for jobs outside Norway's borders when his sports career is over, and his studies are completed.
“The commitment to sport will always be there, but I don’t have to work in that industry. I am certainly interested in taking part in working life a little further south in Europe and learning a bit about how other countries work.”
Studies and his career as a cross-country skier take up much of Skinstad's time, but together with his brother Petter, he has worked with marketing and product development for, among others, Madshus and Swix, where one of the goals has been an increased focus on public health in the businesses.
“I am keen to give something back to our sponsors and partners, and there is also a lot of business opportunities in Innlandet County. After all, I'm from Toten, and a lot of exciting things are happening here with a number of green industries that I see as attractive businesses to work for in the future,” concludes Skinstad.
This article was translated from Norwegian by Noorit Larsen.