Growing a Career at AHFC

Mike Carlson celebrated 10 years with Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in 2022. So far, he said his career at Alaska Housing has given him what he was looking for – opportunities to grow.

“I spent about 15 years working in construction as a private contractor but I had this sense that it was time to be part of something bigger than just me,” he says. “When I first applied to Alaska Housing I was looking for a career. I knew I could grow here.”

Mike joined Alaska Housing in 2012 as an energy specialist performing weatherization inspections for the department of Research and Rural Development, a job that took him all across his home state of Alaska.

“We were the face of Alaska Housing in remote communities,” Mike said.

‘Get Ready to Travel’

He recalled that when he was hired, the department director told him, “Get ready to travel.”

“I didn’t know what that meant,” Mike said. “I quickly found out.”

In his first year with Alaska Housing, Mike’s work took him on 72 inspections across the state. During his tenure as a weatherization inspector Mike says he visited 100 Alaska communities.

Seeking New Challenges

Seven years later the amount of weatherization inspections had steeply declined and Mike began to look for a new challenge. He accepted a position as a coordinator in facilities management, a role that was in line with his past experiences as a private contractor.

Mike says that the best part of his role is that he is always learning, whether that means picking up the terminology to solicit an auxiliary power generator or working around limited material availability during the height of the pandemic.

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“I advise new employees to take advantage of the opportunity to constantly learn new skills. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The group of people that work here have a knowledge base that is unreal. You can pick anyone’s brain and come up with a solution to a problem.”

– Mike Carlson, Facilities Management Coordinator

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Positively Impacting Alaskans

Ten years after joining the team at Alaska Housing, Mike says he has found the bigger mission he was seeking. Working alongside AHFC’s public housing and facilities management departments, Mike sees how his role can positively impact the lives of Alaskans.

“I find the work rewarding,” Mike said. “Improving the quality of our buildings for tenants might also contribute to their quality of life and mindset. I hope that our work helps give our tenants a sense of pride in where they live.”

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Want to join an inspiring team making a difference in people’s lives? AHFC is the right place for you. See our available jobs and come join our team.