Women in maritime
What did you want to become when you were a kid?
I definitely wanted to be an air hostess or a nurse. I really wanted to take care of people and make them happy (but probably also because I could wear a nice uniform).
Why did you choose to work within shipping?
A bit of a coincidence. After I graduated with my bachelor’s degree I had a summer job in the Travel department, which was an excellent break from the schoolbooks. One of my colleagues took so much inspiration from my studies that she decided to take this up too, so she left Stena Line. I was asked if I would take over her position in the company, which I agreed to and decided to put my original plans for further education on hold for a while. It is now 40 years ago since I joined and I’m still working at Stena Line. However, I studied marketing for three years in the evenings, after office hours, and this probably helped form a good base for the position I have today as Freight Marketing Manager. And if anyone is curous, I even got to wear a nice uniform in my time working for Travel.
What is your best work-related memory?
That’s all the wonderful colleagues I’ve met during all these years. Some have even become close and very special friends. Some have left for other adventures and others are still in the company making my days even more fantastic. These relationships mean a lot to me.
Who has been your role model?
My father is without comparison the person who has influenced me most. He was a hardworking, very intelligent man. He cared for all people, no matter who they were. He was the first one up in the morning to be ahead of everyone else. He brought me up to be the person I am and he has given me my basic knowledge, the inspiration to learn more and supported me all through his life – even in stormy weather. He trusted me and always told me if I did my very best then he wouldn’t require more from me. I hope that I’ve passed just a bit of this on to others. He passed away years ago, but he is often in my thoughts. He was my role model.
