Five quick things with NITO Students' Central Board
What is the last song the student board listened to, and what do they like to do in their spare time? Get to know the students better who will raise their voice.
Earlier this spring, NITO Students held the national meeting 2026, where eight eager students took over the baton to continue working and ensure that the students' interests are heard.
Summer is in full swing and it's time to get to know our new central board better.
Felix Knutsen (24)
Felix is a master's student in information systems at the University of Agder in Kristiansand.
He became a member of NITO Students in February 2023, union representative in August 2024 and took over as local branch leader in January 2025.
Felix's favorite member benefit in NITO is to search for union representatives in companies, as it is a great way to get in touch with union representatives in different companies and gain insight into working life.
"Why did you become a union representative?"
"I wanted to be involved in influencing student life, especially when it comes to events, courses and activities on campus," he says, adding that the best thing about being a union representative is the people he has gotten to know along the way.
The 24-year-old's top three things to do in his spare time:
- Be with friends
- Cooking
- Go to a festival
Felix's last played song on Spotify is "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson.
Jørgen Akervold (23)
Jørgen is studying Engineering Design at the Arctic University of Norway (UIT) in Narvik, digitally from Tromsø.
He is the head of NITO's professional network for drone technology, and became a union representative in the local branch in 2023 and a member of the central board in 2025.
He believes that career guidance and help with the CV from NITO come in handy.
To why he chose to become a union representative, he answers:
"I became a union representative because I wanted to help arrange cool events at my place of study and meet more committed people!
Jørgen says that the best thing about the position is meeting exciting people and building networks. The 23-year-old's top three leisure activities are building drones, not studying and being with people, he replies with a smile.
– Last played the song on Spotify?
– "After party" by Don Toliver.
Nora Szalay (23)
Nora Szalay (23) is starting her third year of civil engineering at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) in Bergen.
She became a member of NITO Students in August 2024 and a union representative a month later.
– What is your favorite member benefit?
"It is that you can get NITO lawyers to go through your employment contract before you sign it," she says.
Nora became a union representative because she wanted to get involved as a student and points out that the best thing about being one is that you are surrounded by other motivated and good people.
The 23-year-old's top three things to do in his spare time:
- Be social
- Go for a walk
- Watch series and preferably with others
Her last played song on Spotify is "Don't wait for me" by ULD.
Anna Reedtz (25)
Anna Reedtz (25) is studying medical informatics at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) in Tromsø.
She became a NITO member in the autumn of 2023 and a union representative in the autumn of 2025.
She says that the member benefit that has come in extra handy is a more favorable mortgage.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old says that she chose to become a union representative because she wanted to expand her network and get to know more students across lines, and believes that the best thing is the people you get to know as a union representative.
– Top 3 things to do in your spare time?
– Enjoy northern Norwegian nature, both from the veranda and from the bike seat. Drink coffee and preferably with delicious pastries, and knit," she says.
"Pyro" by Kings of Leon is Anna's last played song on Spotify.
Nora Blekken Pine (22)
Nora is the 2nd deputy head of NITO Students, and studies petroleum logistics and economics at Molde University College in Kristiansund.
She became a member in August 2024, and a union representative in January 2025.
– What is your favorite member benefit?
"All the events, both social and academic! It's a great opportunity to get to know fellow students better, and make contact with the business community at academic events," she elaborates.
As a union representative, Nora wanted to contribute to a good study environment, and believes the best thing about it is the people she gets to know.
Her top three extracurricular activities:
- Walk my dog
- Be social
- Exercise
Nora's last song played on Spotify: "Kids with opiates" by Metropolen.
Thomas Kristiansen (24)
Thomas will start his master's degree in Industrial Economics and Technology Management in the autumn, and is 1st deputy chair of NITO Students.
He became a NITO member in August 2023, and a union representative at the annual meeting in January 2024.
Tryg Legehjelp came in handy when Thomas was on holiday abroad and got a trail under his eyelid. Through NITO's membership benefits, he received good help.
At NITO, being a union representative became an arena where he could make a difference and contribute.
"What's the best thing about being a union representative?"
"The best thing is to meet other committed and talented people, collaborate and learn from each other!
Thomas' top three in his spare time are: gaming, being social and he loves speed and excitement, and his last played song is "Crack Sandwich" by JID.
Jarand Byrkjeland (26)
Jarand is the leader of NITO Students, and studies IT and information systems at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN).
He became both a member of NITO Students and a union representative in August 2024.
The 26-year-old highlights NITO's insurance offerings, and especially travel insurance, as his favorite member benefit.
"Why did you become a union representative?"
"I was convinced by a local branch leader of all the cool activities I could participate in as a union representative," the student leader replies, and confirms that attending NITO's conferences and getting to know people from all over the country is the best thing about being a union representative.
Jarand's Top Three Extracurricular Activities:
- Hiking in the woods or hunting
- Training and martial arts
- Step outside your comfort zone and try new things.
And what is the student leader's last played song?
– "Lady Brown" by Nujabes.
