Annette went from social work to social glue
Driven by a passion for helping others, Annette Sjursen Simonsen set out to become a Child Protection Educator. Today, she’s the Project Manager for SAP implementation and the Hub Manager at Vard Electro in Sandefjord – a role where she combines technical expertise with a deeply personal approach to leadership.
19. December 2024
Annette’s story shows the power of a people-first mindset. Her path to engineering was nothing but straightforward.
– During my final year studying social work, I found myself wanting something different. A field of work with more science-based answers to a task, she explains.
At the time, Annette was dating a man educated in electrical engineering and took an interest in his line of work. She started with one of the math subjects and soon she studied more and more subjects.
An unexpected journey to engineering
– That last year of studying social work I took on more studies in addition to working as a teacher twice a week, and as a Social Environment Worker once a week. At home, I had a four-year-old, Annette says.
2010 was without a doubt a hectic year for her, but today she is thankful for her experience in child protection.
– Had I known how much I would love technical engineering, I probably wouldn’t have become a Child Protection Educator. However, that period of my life taught me to plan my time. Both for myself, and others, she reflects.
Since joining VARD in 2012 as a Project Engineer, Annette has steadily worked her way up to her dual role as Hub Manager in Sandefjord and Project Manager for SAP implementation. Maybe it is her unique set of skills that makes her colleagues describe her leadership as approachable and non-hierarchical. Annette’s commitment to building a supportive environment goes beyond mere job descriptions.
Putting people first
– We’re not just colleagues, we’re friends. In Sandefjord we’ve created a space where everyone feels safe to share their highs and lows, she says.
Regular team-building activities, Friday coffee catch-ups, and an open-door policy for any life issues are standard practice. Annette’s leadership philosophy is without doubt built on empathy. Six years ago she faced a significant challenge when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Her colleagues were among the first to know.
I truly appreciated coming to work during my treatment. Having that sense of normalcy and support from my colleagues was invaluable, Annette says.
This experience strengthened her belief in putting people first. That is also one of the things she values most about VARD.
– It's not just about meeting targets. If someone is going through something rough, they get the support they need, no questions asked, she states.
Taking on new challenges
Currently, Annette is leading a major SAP implementation project – a project far from her day-to-day responsibilities in electrical engineering.
– It has definitely been a learning curve, she admits.
– SAP is a comprehensive ERP system, and this project is a multi-year commitment involving every department, Annette explains.
The project requires meticulous analysis, cross-departmental communication, and countless meeting hours. Though it’s a demanding role, Annette sees it as a privilege and an opportunity to gain insight into all of VARD’s operations.
– I get a unique view of how the company functions and a chance to build something that will make everyone’s work easier in the long run, she says.
A future focused on people
When Annette thinks about the future of leadership, she envisions flexible, supportive, and community-oriented workplaces.
– If someone leaves VARD, I want it to be because they found an exciting new opportunity, not because they didn’t feel valued here, Annette tells us.
In the Sandefjord office, this philosophy is already a reality. The team embraces flexibility and is offering remote work options.
– People want to come to the office because it’s not just a place to work; it’s a place where they thrive.
Annette’s journey from social work to engineering might have been unconventional, but her story is a testament to the idea that no matter where you start, you can achieve great things.
