Vilde Marie Lyngstad Hageselle, an Environmental Advisor and External Relations expert at Grieg Green, offers valuable advice to emerging professionals in the maritime sector. She encourages the younger generation to cultivate a strong network, maintain a constant curiosity, and actively seek knowledge from experienced peers. Emphasizing the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, she underscores the benefits of continuous learning and collaboration.
Delving into her personal journey in the maritime industry, Hageselle shares her entry into the ship recycling sector. Expressing a desire for enhanced engagement and collaboration among stakeholders, she advocates for greater transparency and responsibility in the ship recycling sector. Recognizing the need for innovation, she calls for the adoption of new technologies and best practices to elevate and refine recycling processes.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Vilde Marie Lyngstad Hageselle: I began my journey in the maritime industry working for BW as a receptionist in my vacations, while pursuing my marine biology studies at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. After completing my studies, I continued working for BW Group. I got to know fantastic people and explored roles in areas such as communications, technical and finance, both in Oslo and Singapore. I started in Grieg as an IHM project coordinator in 2019 (IHM = Inventory of Hazardous Materials) and learned a lot in a short period of time. Today I work as an environmental advisor.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
V.M.L.H.: The first person who comes to mind would be one of our owners, Elisabeth Grieg. She has been a role model since I was a young student and her commitment to equality contributes to pushing the industry in the right direction.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
V.M.L.H.: I have been lucky enough to have had a couple of influential mentors/people during my career. They have taken their time for good conversations and given me advice, which has been especially valuable when facing challenges. I would like to mention Lisa Lim as someone who has influenced my passion for the Communications field and Øistein Jensen as a mentor from the WISTA mentorship programme.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
V.M.L.H.: My education is my most worthwhile investment overall, but I would also like to highlight my YoungShip experience. I have been on the board for 3 years now and I have broadened my network, and gained new competencies, with a bonus: I have gotten friends for life.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
V.M.L.H.: Advice to self: You don’t have to have life all figured out while young. Things will fall into place, and embracing diverse experiences opens doors to various opportunities. Though I initially studied marine biology, aiming for the seafood industry (aligned with my Norwegian coastal roots), I went in another direction – but to an industry also connected to the ocean.
On a general note, to younger generations entering the maritime world: Do not be afraid to take up space in a room filled with people. Talk to the person you look up to. Send that LinkedIn message. Ask for advice and build your network.
A piece of advice to ignore must be in general to stay where you are, in the comfort zone. As the quote goes “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done”.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
V.M.L.H.: In the realm of ship recycling and yard practices, I believe fostering greater engagement and collaboration among shipyards, industry stakeholders, and communities is important for positive change. By promoting a culture of transparency and responsibility, shipyards can seek out technologies and best practices to improve recycling processes.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
V.M.L.H.: it’s when you’re facing an uphill you can go upwards!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
