Women in maritime
What did you want to become when you were a kid?
I had a lot of different ideas about my future when I was a kid. I wanted to be a fashion designer (I drew designs of clothes all my free time), a dancer, a writer, a journalist or a diplomat. I wanted to travel a lot and often dreamed about being a superhero who saves the world.
I can say one thing – I have always had a wide range of interests and curiosity about the world and people, and I still do.
Why did you choose to work within shipping?
I started working in Stena Line as part of the temporary staff, when I was a student. So rather practical reasons made me apply for a job at Stena Line then. But it quickly turned out to be the right choice and this was a job I liked very much. After the first season I came back another year and stayed for much longer. My job has never been boring and for all this time – full of challenges. I learned a lot of new things from fields of expertise not familiar to me, such as freight and sea transport.
Now my position is Freight CST Manager and I lead a team of excellent and committed female specialists to provide the best customer care ever. And I am really proud that our freight customers appreciate that.
What I really like about my job is the opportunity to travel on Stena Line’s vessels. Every trip is a new adventure for me. I really miss it during pandemic and cannot wait to go onboard again.
What is your best work-related memory?
I have been working in Stena Line for almost 18 years, so I have a lot of great memories. I have met wonderful people here.
But the most remembered moments by me are minor and major emergencies when we had to work with “all hands on deck”. And I feel great knowing that in such situations, often very stressful, we can count on each other and we are one team.
But for a good balance – I try to have fun at work too. Cooperation with colleagues, customers and truck drivers always works better when there is a smile.
Who has been your role model?
I have never followed one particular role model but I have always admired independent and courageous women; strong and vulnerable at the same time. I have been looking for stories of heroines who break stereotypes and remain themselves as an inspiration. There have been plenty of such examples in history and all of us know them.
I believe there is also a place for wise and brave women in the maritime industry and I see them around me at Stena Line. And it is a real pleasure and privilege to work with them, and share their experiences and best practice.