Solberg has a Master's degree in Microbiology and has worked in the salmon industry since 1985, when she started with responsibility over fish health at Mowi, the largest salmon company in Norway at the time.
She continued as production manager and regional director, and after continuous and numerous mergers and acquisitions, became MD of Marine Harvest Norway in 2002.
In addition, Solberg has held several board positions in industry and trade associations such as the Norwegian Seafood Federation and Norwegian Seafood Council as well as in Norwegian research institutions, including the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and Institute for Marine Research.
IntraFish: How did you begin working in the seafood industry?
Marit Solberg: I was working at a laboratory at the Institute for Marine Research in Bergen doing analysis mainly for the oil industry. There I was made aware of the salmon industry, by projects trying to find out the very first remedies to fight sea lice. When Mowi, one of the pioneers in salmon farming, announced the recruitment of a biologist, I wanted to join because the salmon industry seemed extremely dynamic.
I also found it very attractive to use biological knowledge to produce food sold all over the world. I was lucky and got the job. Mowi is now one of the more than 90 smaller companies that came to be Marine Harvest.
IF: What attracted you about the seafood industry?
MS: It's a dynamic, young industry with lots of challenges without obvious solutions. It's vigorous, risk-taking and employs efficient people. The way from ideas to action is short, and last but not least, you've got the opportunity to combine biology with finance.
IF: What obstacles have you faced in your career a man might not have encountered?
MS: I haven't encountered many obstacles, but of course I have observed that most men still have more support in their private lives than most women.
My experience is that you have to organize your private life in order to be able to concentrate sufficiently on your professional life. My best advice regarding this is that women wanting a career have to be careful in choosing the right husband or partner. It should be a partner who finds it natural that you want to make a professional career and believes in gender equality.
IF: Would you encourage other women to seek a career in this industry? Why?
MS: Absolutely. The seafood industry is the most dynamic, fun and challenging business you can join. Many of the jobs are also very flexible and independent for the individual person.
IF: What advice would you give aspiring female seafood executives?
MS: Go "all in." Say yes to tasks and challenges you get, even if you are not sure you can handle them 100 percent. But of course do your utmost to deliver the expected and more than the expected. Be the one best prepared for tasks and meetings and produce results.
This is hard, but also necessary, if you want to get a top job. Also be strong and "choose your battles wisely."
IF: What are the biggest challenges facing female seafood executives in the industry?
MS: Many jobs in this industry demand attention 24/7, especially in production. Women wanting a career have to dare and be willing to invest the time and resources necessary to succeed.
IF: How can the industry recruit more women into the sector?
MS: By getting more visible in the society, and by actively giving information and marketing towards universities and schools to make young women aware of the opportunities in the seafood industry. Systematic apprenticeship schemes in the companies are a good tool too.
IF: Why are there so few women in executive roles in seafood?
MS: Just as in other industries, executives are expected to give 200 percent, lots of work and time. You cannot expect to both have the time to hang out with friends, do heavy shopping and take care of more than your share of family activities and be a top executive. You have to prioritize and choose what you want.
IF: If there were one thing you could change about the industry to make it a better place for women workers, what would it be?
MS: Physically many jobs in the industry have become much easier since I started to work. Equipment and machines scaled up, which has enforced automation and development of equipment for handling of heavy operations. This has removed the handicap some women had towards some men earlier on. But I remember it was a great benefit, once upon a time, when we were able to force the feed companies to deliver 25 kg feed bags instead of 35 kg.
The salmon industry is a fantastic place for women workers. As new challenges have to be continuously solved, it has created and attracted a number of open and unprejudiced people. People which mostly think gender is irrelevant.
IF: What was the dumbest advice a man in the seafood industry has ever given you?
MS: To be more patient.
