Analyst at Vista Analyse

What does your job entail?

Vista Analyse is a social science analysis company focused on  economic studies, evaluations, consulting and research. As an analyst at Vista, I work on various projects where my role is to assist the project with my skills, often aiming to produce a report. I have worked on projects including a literature review of the socioeconomic effects of climate change, processing emissions data for use in modeling the effects of Norwegian climate measures, and analyses of national and international energy sectors.

What's the most exciting part of your job?

The most exciting part of my job is when I get the opportunity to dive deep into a topic and then discuss the findings with skilled and experienced colleagues, especially when this informs how we capture actual economic relationships in an economic model.

How do you apply your education in your job?

I would like to highlight three abilities that my education has strengthened, which enable me to contribute at work. The first is understanding the results of economic theory. Economic studies involve communicating the socio-economic theoretical perspective to a wide audience with varying levels of understanding of the subject. Thus, it is essential to understand the insights behind concepts such as opportunity costs, relative scarcity, and various market failures so that we can communicate the underlying ideas clearly.

The second is the ability to read, digest, and synthesize research literature. At the beginning of a project, it can often be wise to consult relevant literature. A master's degree in economics has made it easier for me to skim through and gain an overview of the critical points within a specific area of research literature.

Finally, I want to emphasize my skills in programming and economic modeling. I really enjoy the quantitative and mathematical aspects of economics. During my studies, I took many courses that trained me in data processing, visualization, and programming of economic models.

What is a typical day at work like?

A typical day varies a lot. Most often, I work on several projects at once. I start the day by reviewing my tasks for each project and checking if there are any meetings I need to prepare for. I then prioritize based on what is urgent and what I feel like doing. Some days, this means programming in R, Python, or Julia to process, analyze, and visualize data. Other days, it may involve writing and drafting a report to communicate our findings.

How did you get the job?

I spoke with representatives from Vista at a candidate meeting (the annual gathering for students organized by the trade union Samfunns?konomene). There, I learned that they work on several topics that interest me, such as energy, climate, and economic modeling. I sent in an application, and after two rounds of interviews, I was still interested, and fortunately, they were as well.

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

Many skills are valuable as an analyst, but it is crucial to be able to shift from one issue to another and to have multiple areas of expertise. This requires knowing a bit about many things, but also having a few topics that you enjoy delving into. Ultimately, I believe the most important thing for students is to discover which themes and methods they find enjoyable, as that makes it much easier to learn well.

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