Marie Arnér has been with WSP since 1998. Looking back it would appear that she has had a straight, rapid and well planned career path “It’s probably more due to me having the courage to take on the opportunities that have arisen,” she says.
Marie had been working as a teacher for a few years when she decided to study on a research program in water ecology. Having gained her doctorate, and with three children, she called different companies looking for a job. Within the first two years she has become a deputy department manager and then department manager – a position she has now held for six years. “What has been driving me the whole time is new challenges and new knowledge”, she says. “I need that to feel motivated and committed.”
Since Marie still works on projects she has several roles and deadlines to take into account. The challenge is to fit all the jigsaw pieces together and to create a balance between her different roles of manager, project manager and parent.
“We have a great bunch of people, some of whom work part time so a lot of what I do revolves around sorting out staffing for the projects. As manager you need to get to know your colleagues and understand how they tick.” Marie says.
It is important to make clear what different opportunities for development there are within WSP, but there are many ways to go. “WSP is the most exciting consultancy firm today, because the growth and globalisation that others talk so much about really exists here,” says Marie. “You can develop within a growing company, which gives the opportunities to take on greater and greater responsibilities as a business leader, within projects and there are also clear specialist tracks for those who want to take that path’’
“There is certainly no shortage of work and career opportunities within WSP. But how do you find the time for everything you want to do? The danger, not least as a manager, is to expect too much of yourself. You simply have to realise that you do not know everything and have no time for everything.”