"The Olav Thon Group is great at investing in recent graduates"

From internship to permanent position 

"The best way to learn is to simply be thrown into the deep," says Markus Sandstad, 26. 

The spring of 2024 marks one year since he progressed from being a trainee to an assistant property manager in the shopping centre division of the Olav Thon Group.

"It was a bit overwhelming at first, but above all, lots of fun to get to do all the work I had only observed others doing as a trainee."

Possibilities for recent graduates

The Olav Thon Group periodically offers internships that give young people with little work experience the opportunity to try out key positions in various divisions of the group.

After earning a Master's degree in Economics and Management in the U.S., Markus was hired as a trainee in Thon Eiendom. He and four other emerging property managers were given the opportunity to learn all the ins and outs of working as a potential property manager with their own portfolio.

All five now have permanent positions in the group's commercial property division.

Given responsibility for one of the country's largest shopping centres

When one of the property managers in the division took paternity leave, Markus was given temporary responsibility for his portfolio. This included Senter Syd and Strømmen Storsenter, the latter of which is one of the country's largest shopping centres, with over 190 shops and food service establishments.  

Even though it was overwhelming at first, the workplace environment made it easier, he says.  

"A lot of the people here have worked in the division for a long time. If you're not sure about something, you simply walk over to the next office to ask for advice. There's a good chance someone else has dealt with the issue before." 

Good mix between new and experienced workers in the shopping centre division

Being a property manager in the shopping centre division is a huge responsibility, not only because you have financial responsibility for the centres in your portfolio, but also because you need to follow up on existing tenants, negotiate with new ones and have managerial responsibility for the centre manager.

So, it is nice to have a positive workplace environment with a high tolerance level and low threshold for asking questions.

"Our division has a good mix between young, recent graduates and older, more experienced professionals. There's lots of foot traffic between the offices and we often have courses and seminars with a professional focus."

"No two days are the same"

Markus is currently in charge of the Amfi Elverum shopping centre. He is also responsible for leasing market and stall spaces at all Olav Thon Group shopping centres across the country.

"It's a highly versatile job and I'm given considerable responsibility and freedom when it comes to making decisions. That's the best part of my work, as well as the fact that no two days are the same," he says with a smile.