18 Years with Schneider Electric: a journey of growth, resilience, and achievement 

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As I reflect on my 18-year journey with Schneider Electric, a flood of memories and experiences comes rushing back. It’s been a journey in engineering and sustainability, marked by growth, learning, and countless meaningful connections. 

I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved and experienced at Schneider Electric, from the early days of anticipation to the present, where each moment reflects resilience and achievement.  Back in 2006, upon graduating from Texas A&M, I could never have imagined this path my career would take me on.  

Join me as I take a walk down memory lane and share some of the highlights, lessons, and cherished memories from these last 18 years. 

Just the beginning – my introduction to Schneider Electric 

During my time at Texas A&M, I was actively involved in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) organization, where I served as an officer. It was during this time in my college career that I had the privilege of engaging with representatives from Schneider Electric’s buildings business, then known as TAC Group, in Houston, Texas. Their visits to our chapter, with their inspiring presentations and live demos, allowed me to get a glimpse into what a career in automation engineering could offer. This experience ignited a spark within me, leading me to pursue a career in the controls field upon graduating with a degree in Electronics Engineering.  

Getting my start in engineering

In June of 2006, I joined the central engineering group in Dallas, Texas for Schneider Electric’s buildings business (now TAC by Schneider Electric). As a systems application engineer, I had the opportunity to work on impressive projects. In my role, I worked on the controls systems of prominent constructions like Bank of America and the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth. I really got the chance to see some cool, interesting buildings being developed. 

A big change – opportunity awaits! 

Around my 6 ½ year mark with the company, organizational changes presented new avenues for me. Having built interdepartmental relationships, I was aware of other potential roles I could explore within Schneider Electric, eventually leading me to the Sustainability Business, Public Sector. It was a great opportunity for me to come in at the start of something great. My position was Senior Automation Engineer, developing controls applications. 

I didn’t know how the organization was going to grow but I took a leap of faith. It was very small at the start – just me and one other person. Over the years, I have had the privilege of leading and influencing the Automation Group, witnessing its growth and impact. I was first promoted to an automation lead at the end of 2016 and began having direct reports in early 2017. The group I lead now has grown to 13 people including me, with similar growth in parallel groups.  

In addition to leading this team, it’s great to see all the influence we’ve weighed in on and been a part of. We touch so many aspects of the business. I feel blessed to be in this position with the people I get to work with every single day. We can really appreciate the difference we’re making.  With our on-the-ground experience, we can provide feedback to R&D, Product Support, and Training teams, helping to improve Schneider Electric offerings. We also support the Remote Support Services and Client Services teams if they reach out to us once projects are in guarantee. We are positioned uniquely to work on projects in a variety of ways through the development pipeline.

Life outside of work 

Beyond my professional endeavors, my life revolves around my faith in God and my wife and three boys, ages 13, 11, and 9. I cherish spending quality time with them, nurturing their curiosity and sharing memorable experiences. Traveling, hiking, and my love of sports all bring joy to my life. I moved to the United States from Denmark at the age of 15 so I learned to love travel early on.  

Additionally, I find fulfillment in serving my community and coaching youth sports teams. I coach my sons’ soccer teams and other sports they enjoy playing. Another thing that I love to do outside of work is building and construction. Whether it be the reconstruction of a home, the design of a computer database or helping someone build their career, this brings me great satisfaction.  That’s one thing I love about being a manager – witnessing the growth and success of my team. Seeing where they started and where they are now is special.  

While my personal interests and passions may not always directly correlate to the technical aspects of my job at Schneider, it is undeniable that the growth and fulfillment I experience in my personal life overflow and positively impact who I am as a learner, colleague, and manager.  Intentionally creating space for relationships and hobbies outside of work contributes in a meaningful way to how I find success as an employee. 

Advice to future candidates 

When reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned over the past almost two decades with Schneider, I encourage future candidates to be hungry for knowledge and growth. Take charge of your development and seek opportunities to learn and evolve.  Embrace challenges and failures as steppingstones to success. Your development is your responsibility—seize it with determination and drive. 
 

Looking ahead 

As I anticipate the future, I remain committed to shaping not only the professional landscape but also the lives of those around me. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing changes in buildings and sustainability that have already occurred during my career.

“Technology is rapidly changing, and I am excited for the evolution of building controls and the potential we have to improve user experiences.” 

The journey thus far has been nothing short of awesome, and I am excited to see what the future holds. 

More blogs from #SEGreatPeople working in sustainability

• Ryan Born: How I built my career in sustainability
• Dennis Warmelink: My internship and future in sustainability

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