2024 Recap

2024 has just passed, which makes it a good time to reflect on the year. I didn’t set any specific goals for myself going into it. Having finished my master’s degree in December 2023 and started my current job in February 2024, I wanted to give myself some space, knowing the year would bring plenty of new challenges on its own.

Highlights

Working with TIFF again

TIFF (Tromsø International Film Festival) was held in January. Returning for my second year, I worked as an assistant in the production team to bring the festival to shore. Two intense weeks filled with tough prioritizations, stress, and long nights were more than worth it when seeing the joy it brought to the festivalgoers. Working in a field so different from my professional has taught me valuable lessons in time management, communication, and teamwork.

Starting my first “adult” job

Beginning my role as a consultant at Bouvet was, at first, a little overwhelming. There were countless new concepts and tools to absorb, but every bit of learning built on what I already knew. Like many, I felt the weight of impostor syndrome in those early months. Over time, though, I realized that even as a newcomer, I could still bring value to the company by applying the fundamentals I have gathered over the years. Looking back, it’s clear that the personal projects I once used to explore new CS concepts proved especially useful. At the same time, my background in math and statistics has given me a mindset for problem-solving that I value greatly.

Holding the student commencement speech

Before my graduation in early June, I was asked by the faculty to give the student commencement speech. When I first learned I was shortlisted, the thought made me nervous. But when I was selected, I couldn’t say no to the opportunity.

I’m not a natural public speaker, so finding the right message took time. But I knew I wanted to say something meaningful to my fellow students. By then, I had been working for four months and had already felt the challenges of transitioning to a professional environment. That experience gave me the topic: impostor syndrome, and the self-doubt that so often accompanies it.

We Norwegians are experts at talking ourselves down, thinking it aligns with the Law of Jante. But I believe the law is often misinterpreted. It says you shouldn’t think you are something — but it doesn’t mean you should think you are nothing. There’s a peaceful place in the middle, free from unnecessary self-doubt, and that’s where we should aim to be.