KAROLINE SANDVIG
Job Title: Junior Project Manager
Company: Facility Solutions Group
Location: Manalapan, N.J.
Age: 28
Years on the Job: 3
Interests: Spending time with her dog, Zuko, a German Shepherd-Husky mix; gardening and growing different plants, or herbs/vegetables; cooking and baking
Karoline Sandvig got interested in working in the electrical industry because of her dad, who works as an electrician. Even though she grew up around the trade, she says she’s still fairly new in this field.
“Any chance that I have to ask questions or learn something new, I take it,” says Sandvig, who was born in New York City but moved to New Jersey when she was 10 years old. “I believe that being curious and willing to learn is key to success in any role.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology from Rider University and her master’s degree in homeland security, but, upon graduation, she took a different career path.
“I decided to give being a project manager in electrical construction a try and have loved it ever since,” she says. “I find my job exciting because I learn something new every day.”
As a junior project manager, she manages material for the construction department and submits applications for midstream/prescriptive rebate programs through multiple utility companies. She also works with other project managers on her team and assists them with managing their projects. This work entails creating/submitting lighting submittal packages, ordering/tracking material for the project, and creating close-outs. She enjoys the variety that comes with being a project manager because each day is different.
“I never wanted a job where things felt repetitive,” she says. “Working in electrical construction has been a perfect fit because it constantly challenges me to improve.”
Her construction department is currently working on the fit out for SHI, and she is assisting the project manager with managing the lighting and controls for the entire project and helping to facilitate the submittal process from submissions, revisions, and approvals. “This is one of the more challenging projects that we have where there are so many moving parts and phases,” she says.
In five to 10 years, she sees herself as an experienced project manager in electrical construction.
“To get there, I'll keep gaining experience, improving my skills through training, and staying updated on industry trends,” she says. “Building connections and staying informed about new technology will also be important for reaching my goals.”
