International graduate Ina resources a new future

Ina Pettersen has proved that studying in a second language is no barrier to success. Not only will she today graduate with a First Class degree, she has also earned an academic prize and clinched a top job.

Originally from Bergen, on the West coast of Norway, Ina, 26, came to the University of Teesside in 1999 to study the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management degree.

Ina said: “I had been studying occupational psychology at the University of Bergen and was interested in learning more about human resources, but it is not offered as a full-time degree subject in Norway. I then found out about the University of Teesside at a recruitment fair and decided to move to England and do the course here. The language was not too much of a problem as I had learned English in school and had also spent a year in Australia. The course was quite demanding and I spent a lot of time each day on it, but it has been worth it. I also spent a year in Oslo, working for Ernst & Young AS, which was a fantastic experience. I’ve got a great job with a major recruitment and management consultancy and to win the prize, which is sponsored by the Human Resources professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD), has made it even more special.”

Ina is employed as a recruitment consultant by Nigel Wright in Newcastle. The firm is a specialist recruitment and management consultancy, with Ina’s role concerned with finding opportunities for Human Resource specialists to further their careers and advising clients in identifying the best candidates for their recruitment needs.

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