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Linda Torn

  • TiSEM - Linda Torn

    Linda Torn

    Student-member of TiSEM’s Management Team

    “The opportunity to look behind the scenes has given me a better picture of the work researchers do.”

A brief introduction

My name is Linda Torn. I am 23 years old and am at the end of the third year of my Econometrics Bachelor. In the next academic year, I will start my Master’s, probably Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science. I served one year on the board of Asset Econometrics, and then one year with ECCO, the student party in the School Council. In 2018, I went on exchange to Singapore. At the moment, I am a student-member of TiSEM’s management team.

How would you describe your position?

I look at all kinds of things on the MT’s agenda from a student perspective. I sit in on all MT meetings, always with this question at the back of my head: How would a student feel about this? It is mainly about things to do with education. In principle, I can give my opinion on pretty much everything, also on research, for instance. I notice that staff appreciate it and find it refreshing to hear a student’s perspective.

What has your MT membership brought you, so far?

The opportunity to look behind the scenes has given me a better picture of the work researchers do. As a student, you get a rather one-sided picture and you base your opinion on what information comes your way. If a teacher is late submitting the results of a test or if e-mails are not promptly answered, students are quick to draw the conclusion that professors do not work hard. I have had to change my views on this point. I have a new respect for the researchers and the work that they do. I have seen under how much pressure they need to perform, and also the enthusiasm with which they do their job.

Why have you chosen for this position?

I enjoy doing it and I have noticed that I’m good at it as well. In my first year, I already knew I wanted to do a board year. The work is dynamic, it has many different aspects. I enjoy a debate and trying to win people over to my point of view. I have always been interested in politics, too. Maybe after graduation, a management position would be nice, but I haven’t got this dot on the horizon that I want to go for. I’ll wait and see what opportunity knocks. The financial world is very interesting, too, so perhaps that is the direction I will head towards.

What priorities do you focus on?

I think job market orientation is really important. There is a great need for information among students. The university pays a lot of attention to this subject, but students are not always aware of it. And participation is crucial, too: students need to be heard and need to feel that they are heard. Students know where to find me if an issue needs to be taken up.

I have made an important contribution to establishing the Faculty Advisory Council. It is a platform in which the program committees and ECCO meet to discuss the topics which they both have a right to vote on. FACT will be launched in the coming academic year.

Who is your role model?

Although it may sound strange, I think journalist and television presenter Eva Jinek is a good role model. I think she is a strong woman. She is very strong verbally, she is friendly as well as resolute. And she’s well-informed; she knows what she is talking about.

Do you have a tip and is there anything else you want to say?

I may sound like a politician when I say this but I really mean it: Connect with people!

Furthermore, I would like to invite everyone within TiSEM to contact me if they want to know more about the student perspective of certain issues. Send an e-mail to: Linda Torn.