Meet Vanessa, Global Sales Engineer who relocated from South Africa to Lund

What is your role at Axis/What does a typical day look like for you?

The quick answer is that there is never a typical day, which makes my role so great. I’m a Global Sales Engineer and I support Axis in the Northern and Middle Europe region as part of a team of Global Sales Engineers who together support all the regions Axis operates in. When a regional Sales Engineer can’t solve a customer question or problem, they come to us for support. If needed, we bring in help from different departments like R&D, mechanics, hardware — whichever specialization is required to reach a solution. We’re like the central piece in a big puzzle and a fusion of pre- and post-sales support. The best thing about my role is that it allows me to get involved in a wide variety of initiatives and projects and interact with many departments within the company.

How does Axis invest in its employees?

Axis has invested in me from day one. They are so good at supporting employees in their roles and career development, and there are always growth opportunities. This was even more apparent when I decided to relocate from my role at Axis in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Lund four years ago. The HR team was so helpful in my relocation process, and kept on top of the legalities and paperwork. I felt they were prepared to make the extra effort, which was reassuring during a significant life change that affected not only me but my husband and children who came with me.

What has your career journey at Axis looked like?

I’ve been at Axis for 12 years, so I feel like part of the furniture. In South Africa, I had a completely different role as a Key Account Manager, but I always loved the more technical side of our business — understanding future developments and analytics. About four years ago I felt ready to take the next step in my career, but also knew I wanted to stay at Axis. Then this opportunity came up for my current role as a Global Sales Engineer, so I applied, and they took a chance on me.

What makes Axis stand out?

For me, it’s all about the recruitment process, which Axis does exceptionally well. What makes us unique is that we recruit according to the company’s values and culture. I think that’s important because it helps us find the right people — it’s not only about what’s written on your resume but about whether you as a person will fit in. And that results in a company where we all have shared values and a similar drive — you can feel it when you walk around the building or meet a coworker from the US, Australia, or any of our locations.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Axis?

The world is your oyster at Axis, so don’t limit yourself to what’s on your diploma. Start by thinking about where you want to be, then look at the opportunities and take the chance to apply. If there are gaps in your knowledge, there is a lot you can learn once in the role.

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