Now working her second summer at Valmet Automotive’s car plant in Uusikaupunki, Saara is studying to become a Bachelor of Engineering, Industrial Management. She feels her career choice is right and the feeling has only grown stronger with the experience she has gained. Valmet Automotive’s culture and flexible working hours have been a positive element of Saara’s work experience, and she feels that work-life balance is easy to achieve in the company.

  • Last summer, I came across Valmet Automotive while browsing summer jobs. I applied for several positions, and then started here. I have enjoyed my time and was attracted back to the car plant for the second summer because of the good working atmosphere and the variety of opportunities. Also, the new tasks were interesting and helped me to clarify my own future direction. Last summer I worked in the operational quality team and this summer in assembly quality. In the quality team I worked on quality development and now on the quality of our assembly department, which is of course closer to the production itself and the processes involved. I have also been involved in a few projects, Saara says.

LOOKING FOR THE FUTURE DIRECTION

Originally from Kouvola, Saara lives in Turku and will soon be returning to her engineering studies, nearing completion. She describes herself as calm, easy-going and positive. In the future, Saara wants to gain experience and hopes to try work also outside quality operations.

  • My current responsibilities include updating and developing work instructions and multi-channel information. In projects, I have been involved in developing quality work in production. As an example, we are improving the work of quality measurers through various pilot projects. As for the future, I am interested in gaining a broader view and understanding of production, such as supply chain or logistics processes, but also from the sourcing perspective.

The engineering studies have helped a lot in understanding the big picture, like how production is done from the start to finish and the different methods that are used. For example, audits are an important part of quality work.

WHY VALMET AUTOMOTIVE

Saara says the best thing about her job is getting to see how practical development work improves the way work is done in production. The completed work gives her a good and rewarding feeling. It has been sometimes challenging to start in a new team and it took a while to learn about team responsibilities, for example, but it’s been grate that everyone has always been willing to help.

In her free time, Saara enjoys spending time in nature and sports, orienteering and jogging, but she also enjoys time with family and friends. To her, the loved ones are important.

  • I recommend Valmet Automotive as a workplace because the company offers such a wide range of employment opportunities. Production planning is built up piece by piece from the processes, so engineering plays an important role, but of course production itself is practical work and just as important. Here, it is the whole process from start to finish that is most interesting. I also feel that the company’s values are very close to those of my own, and I live by them. A good example is sustainable development, which is constantly being developed here. The company’s strategy is also something that you can identify with and that you want to implement yourself, Saara comments.

 

We would like to thank all our summer trainees for their valuable ideas and important contributions. A big thank you and all the best for your studies, we hope to meet again!