How many times have you peered voyeuristically into the lives of people you admire via social media, video, or published interviews and wondered what it must be like to do their job? We’ve all been down that research rabbit hole on our quest to create and cultivate the career of our dreams but often we’re still left pondering about the realities of their day-to-day—so, what is it really like? Well in this series, I Want Your Job we uncover the truth by getting down to the nitty-gritty on what it’s actually like to work in your quote-unquote “dream job” and if the reality stacks up to the expectation.

Kristina Vasandani is a great example of how your career can choose you. Even though she didn’t seek it out, growing up in Volvo’s home town of Gothenburg, Sweden meant that the world of automotive seeped into her life via osmosis and naturally ended up there. In 2003, Vasandani moved to California where she worked in various marketing roles for Volvo Cars before moving into her current position as the senior product manager of special vehicles and accessories.

Read on to learn more about her career trajectory, key learnings along the way, and advice on how you can get involved in the automotive industry, too.

CREATE & CULTIVATE: Describe your career journey—how did you get your foot in the door and land where you are today?

KRISTINA VASANDANI: “I didn’t actively seek out a career in cars, but when you live and go to school in Gothenburg (Volvo’s hometown), the world of automotive really permeates every part of the culture—and working in the industry is a real point of pride. 

“My Volvo journey began while I was still in college when I took a part-time job representing the company at big events like auto shows. This was an incredible experience as it gave me the chance to speak with real customers about our cars, and at the same time gave me a crash-course in the brand and our products. After I graduated, I stayed with the company and spent time in a variety of roles that exposed me to the incredibly diverse range of opportunities that exist within Volvo. This included time spent working on Volvo Ocean Race (Volvo’s around-the-world sailing race) and our Overseas Delivery program. 

“At this point, I left to work for an events agency that partners incredibly closely with Volvo; there, I became even more engrained in the experiential marketing leg of our business. But, eventually, I made my way back. Returning to Volvo for phase two of my journey, I took a natural next step from my auto show days as I began managing our Volvo loyalty program and customer communications, ultimately heading up our Customer Retention Marketing (CRM) department and our website content team. From there, I began managing Campaigns and Digital Marketing, where I led campaign development and strategy for our new cars.

“One of the best parts of working at Volvo, I think, is the way we’re encouraged to chart our own course. A few months ago, I decided I was ready for a new challenge and to expand my knowledge within the world of product and marketing. So, I applied for (and got!) a new job where I’m responsible for Special Vehicles & Accessories for the Americas.”

What did you study in school? How has that prepared you for your job now? 

“I was a marketing major with an international focus and spent six months at a business school in Paris. While my marketing studies were a great foundation, I believe my experience abroad was equally (if not more) important. My time in Paris exposed me to differences in business cultures, allowed me to meet and collaborate with new people in different settings, and forced me to adapt and find solutions to unfamiliar challenges and new opportunities. I think it’s this adaptability and solutions-oriented outlook that has really allowed me to thrive here at Volvo Cars, where we put a strong emphasis on problem-solving and a results-driven approach.”

Did you intern before getting the job? If yes, where? And how did that prepare you? Would you recommend it to others coming up behind you? 

“While I didn’t technically intern, I do see my first part-time job at Volvo Cars as an internship of sorts. It offered me insight into the way a large company works, gave me the opportunity to interface with executives and consumers, and provided a valuable grounding in the industry, the marketing function, and Volvo customers. I think taking a role like this is hugely beneficial for anyone starting out.” 

What does your day-to-day look like? We want specifics!

“A complicated question! On paper, I’m responsible for business development and strategy for Special Vehicles & Accessories for the Americas. But what does this actually mean? I work closely with our team at Volvo Cars headquarters in Gothenburg to drive the development of new products—products that are both profitable and that provide great solutions for our consumers. This means I must stay in close touch with my colleagues across all markets in the Americas, including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and our Latin American Importer Markets. This is a huge part of my job, as we have to make sure we’re meeting the needs of every country in which we operate. This means ensuring they have the right tools, marketing materials, reporting systems and, especially, the right products and accessories to offer customers.

“Putting on my ‘special vehicles’ hat, I play a role in managing the business for our global Special Edition (think: limited edition) vehicles as well as what we call our ‘special’ vehicles, which are things like police and armored cars.” 

Does the reality of the job stack up to your expectations? 

“As you can tell, my job is pretty diverse. This makes it very interesting, and incredibly fun. So, the reality is, my job is exceeding my expectations.”

You have what many would consider a dream job. What are some of the common misconceptions people get wrong about your role? Why?

“Working at a car company is a lot like working in any other industry; it’s just that people drive the things we make.”

What advice would you give to young professionals trying to break into your industry? How hard is it?

“Don’t be deterred if you don’t have any car experience. The automotive industry is in the midst of massive change, and now more than ever we need a diverse set of experiences and skills to take our industry into the future.” 

Can you share one woman who paved the way for you to be where you are today? 

“I am very fortunate to have had had several incredible role models and supporters along the way (both men and women)—most recently, Leigh Moynihan—our director of marketing at Volvo Car USA. Leigh is an inspiration, and she has personally supported me and actively helped me define the next steps in my career.“

How are you paying it forward and helping other women who are coming up behind you? 

“Volvo Car USA recently launched a female mentoring program, and I’m participating this year as a mentor. This is a fantastic initiative that I’m quite proud of as an employee of Volvo Cars. Not only is it providing support for promising talent, but it’s also a great forum for collaboration and growth across the organization. I truly think I gain as much from being a mentor in the program as those participating as mentees.“

Do you think mentors are important for women? Why/Why not? How can women find one? And why is that relationship important? 

“I think mentors are important for both women and men. This is, of course, true when you start out, but honestly at any stage in your career. I’m grateful for the network I’ve built over the years, both inside and outside Volvo, and the support I get from those connections made. When you’re looking for a mentor, I recommend you not focus too much on the role of your prospective mentor, but instead look at qualities in that person. Often these intangible qualities can offer more insight and perspective than practical skills.” 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? How have you applied that to your career?

“Believe in yourself and give it your best effort. That’s what my parents always told me, whether in relation to a homework assignment or a sporting event. This simple but sage advice taught me to always complete what I started, and to be resilient. You can’t expect to be an expert at everything on your first try; there is always room for improvement.”

Who do you think is really crushing it right now and breaking barriers in their field? What have you learned from them?

“I would have to say Bodil Eriksson, CEO of Volvo Car Mobility. She is paving the way into the future of cars and services which is so exciting. The key takeaway from being part of Bodil’s team a few years ago was her strong vision for our brand and how that really served as the North Star for the entire team.”

What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you were first starting out? 

“You can’t learn everything from a textbook, you have to get out there and learn through experience. It can be tough, and you may not always succeed on your first try, but out in the real world you learn just as much (if not more) from your failures as you do from your successes.”

What keeps you motivated and inspired to keep going, even on your most challenging days?

“Take a step back, do something you enjoy, and reflect on why you love your job and what you’re grateful for. And to keep everything in perspective! Even if it might feel like it in the moment, few things truly spell the end of the world.”

How do you stay energized? 

“I run. I get a lot of energy from training and running races; next up is the Los Angeles marathon in March! But above all, I love spending quality time with my son and husband. There is nothing better.”  

What initiative/project at Volvo are you most proud of?

“I am extremely proud to have led the development of our launch campaign for Care by Volvo, Volvo’s car subscription service, including the development of the first generation Care by Volvo app. This was a groundbreaking new program, launched in a new way, and it has changed a lot about how we approach both services and marketing at our company. And it doesn’t hurt that we won three Cannes Lions for it.”

What is your best work hack/productivity tip? How do you get it all done?

“Prioritization. Make it part of your daily routine. And communication: set the right expectations and ensure your stakeholders and partners are updated.”