Helene: from City Life to Career Growth on Sunnmøre

Tom Arild Rysjedal
6 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Smiling hiker in a yellow jacket on a mountaintop, overlooking dramatic Sunnmøre mountains with patches of snow.

After ten years in Oslo, Helene Aarøe and her family made the decision to move to Sunnmøre. With a career in HR and a growing family, the move became both a personal and a professional choice.

Education and Career in Oslo

Woman standing on a dock by the Oslo waterfront with the sun reflecting on the water.

Helene began studying Work and Organisational Psychology in Oslo in the autumn of 2014. She stood out early on, landing a relevant HR role while still a student. In that position, she was solely responsible for around 200 employees. At the same time, Helene and her husband settled in Nydalen, and in 2022 they welcomed a new family member.

The Dream of Sunnmøre

The idea of moving to Sunnmøre wasn’t new, but it was only after they had a child that they started looking seriously at the opportunity. When her husband later got the chance to commute weekly to Oslo, the couple realised that their Sunnmøre dream could finally become reality.

After spending a summer on Sunnmøre —enjoying a wonderful holiday with long mountain hikes and the sea close by— the decision felt easy. They were moving.

A woman sits on a mountain ridge overlooking a fjord and snow-capped peaks in Sunnmøre.

A Fresh Start

In January 2024, Helene signed a contract with VARD as a Recruitment Specialist. It was a new role at VARD, where she took responsibility for recruitment and improvement projects aimed at strengthening recruitment processes. Less than a year later, she earned a promotion and the title HR Business Partner for both Vard Interiors and Seaonics, working closely with leaders across the companies.

She describes the work environment as inclusive, and especially values being part of an HR team after working alone in her previous job. The transition has made her more aware of the value of teamwork—and how combining different strengths and perspectives can create better solutions. Through her role at VARD, she has also had the opportunity to join a Leadership Program to further develop her leadership skills.

“Through this program I’ve gained valuable insight into my own leadership style and how I impact others. It hasn’t only strengthened my understanding of communication, but also given me tools to become an even better support for both employees and leaders in the organisation."

-Helene Aarøe-

Flexibility, Family Life and Wellbeing

Everyday life has changed significantly since the move, especially when it comes to family life. The flexibility in her job makes it easier to combine career and family—particularly as her husband still commutes. Being closer to family also provides extra security, something that would have been harder to achieve in Oslo.

Woman smiling and chatting at a café table with friends, with drinks on the table.

Helene also appreciates the balance between nature and city life. She was positively surprised by the cultural scene, and feels Ålesund has developed a lot in recent years, with great restaurants, bars and cultural experiences. Being able to grab a coffee with friends during lunch, or head out for an afterwork straight from the office, has helped make the transition from big-city life feel much smaller.

“I was positively surprised by the cultural life in the city, and I think Ålesund has developed a lot in recent years, with good restaurants, bars and cultural offerings. Being able to meet friends for a coffee during lunch, or go for afterwork straight from the office, has made the transition from city life much less noticeable.”

VARD is on The Lookout for New Talent

With our current team comprised of dedicated professionals, each bringing unique strengths to the table, we now seek to expand our ranks with individuals who can contribute to its continued success.