In the beginning, everything was new.
“I didn’t fully understand the terminology and abbreviations, but I felt trusted and well supported by my colleagues. That helped me get up to speed quickly, learn a lot, and gradually take on more responsibility,” she says.
Her background includes several years in the healthcare sector and work in a laboratory, alongside studies that resulted in a bachelor’s degree in biomedical laboratory science and a master’s in responsible innovation and sustainable value creation – both from HVL. After juggling school and part-time jobs, she eventually felt the urge to try something new. When her sister, already working at Beerenberg, spoke about the great work environment and opportunities at the company, Sara decided to apply.
I didn’t really know what I was getting into, but I was open to something completely new. At first, I thought: ‘Am I even qualified for this? Is there any point in applying? I don’t have relevant skills or experience.’ But then I told myself: ‘What’s the worst that can happen? If I don’t try, I won’t get the job anyway.’ And I’m incredibly glad I did.
When she was offered the position in the tender department, she embraced it wholeheartedly.
“There was a lot to learn – routines, methods, and systems – but I received great support and patient help from my colleagues. Now I work in a department of five people at the Kokstad office, along with colleagues in our subsidiaries both in Norway and internationally. Together, we handle around 800 small and large inquiries annually.”
A new world
The transition was significant, but even though much was unfamiliar at first, she felt trusted from day one.
“I didn’t understand everything, but I got a lot of support from my colleagues and managers. That helped me learn quickly and gradually take on more responsibility,” she says.
A key part of her job is customer contact. She participates in meetings where inquiries are reviewed and in clarification meetings with customers after tenders are submitted. Here, technical specialists play a central role in answering technical questions, while Sara is responsible for the overall delivery and tender structure.
“It’s incredibly valuable to be part of these processes. You gain a deeper understanding of the technical content, and it helps improve the quality of the tenders we deliver,” she says. “At the same time, it’s crucial to involve the specialists who hold the technical expertise. Even though we prepare tenders across all disciplines, we’re not necessarily experts in the technical content. That’s why having that support – both technically and collegially – is a great reassurance.”
Early trust
One of the experiences that gave her the greatest sense of achievement came early in her career at Beerenberg, when she was given main responsibility for a comprehensive tender to Aker. The documentation exceeded 200 pages and involved many customer meetings and technical clarifications.
“I worked around the clock during that period. It was demanding, but also incredibly fun and educational. My competitive instinct kicked in, and I threw myself into it. That’s when I really felt I had a breakthrough and could show what I was capable of,” she says. Although they didn’t win the bid, the work laid a solid foundation for future tender efforts.
Today, she has her own areas of responsibility, including preparing tenders for robotic solutions, but she also enjoys being the “jack-of-all-trades” who can contribute across various areas. It provides both variety and learning.
“I want to learn as much as possible, so it’s fun to be able to contribute to different areas,” she says.
Always someone to lean on
What she appreciates most at Beerenberg is the collaborative culture.
“There’s always someone to lean on. You don’t need to know everything yourself, but you learn a lot by working closely with those who have deep expertise. As you gain experience, you can also give more back,” she explains.
Sara is happy to work in an environment that values freedom and support.
“It means a lot to have that freedom and flexibility. Of course, you feel the expectations and the responsibility, but it’s easy to ask for help. I feel I’ve had great opportunities to grow – both professionally and personally,” she says.
For newcomers considering applying to Beerenberg, she’s clear in her advice:
“You’ll get a lot of opportunities here. You largely set the boundaries for how much you want to develop. Whether it’s courses, further studies, or new internal roles – the doors are open.”
Never idle
In her free time, she describes herself as restless and curious, with interests in motorcycles, investments, travel, and friends. She doesn’t like sitting still and has always been focused on saving, investing, and finding good solutions – a “fixer” who always comes up with a solution to any problem.
“I like trying new things and diving into the unknown – whether it’s at work or in my personal life. It gives me energy and joy,” she says with a smile.
