I’m currently living in Helsinki and have built a career that has combined technology, business, and education. My academic background is broad: I hold two degrees from LUT University – a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering (1983) and a Doctor in Industrial Engineering and Management (2008). I also completed an MBA at Aalto University (2002) and later a Master’s in Business Law & Accounting (2019). In addition, I undertook Vocational Teacher studies in 2010–2011, which supported my later transition into academia.
Professionally, my career started in technical roles, but over time I shifted closer to customers – first in project management, then in sales, and eventually into leadership positions such as sales director and managing director. I also spent 10 years as an entrepreneur running an automation company with the other key individuals. Since 2010, I have been working as a principal lecturer at a university of applied sciences, while also having taught at LUT.
I have had the opportunity to work across a wide range of industries – including welding equipment, robotics, automation, and logistics systems – serving customers from food processing to steel and paper industries, mostly in international markets.
As a mentor, my goal is to encourage students to explore opportunities with an open mind. Your field of study does not limit your career; rather, it provides a foundation for branching into new areas. When I began developing welding equipment, I had a background in mechanical engineering but little knowledge of electronics, robots, or automation. What I did know was how welding worked in practice – and that became the bridge to learning entirely new fields. The same applied to business: each step required learning the realities of that context.
I believe that curiosity, adaptability, and readiness to cross boundaries between disciplines are essential for building a meaningful career. I hope to share this perspective with students and inspire them to see their studies not as limitations, but as springboards to new opportunities.
- Studies at LUT: Mechanical Engineering & Industrial Engineering and Management, 1983 & 2008
- Mentoring language: Finnish or English
- Number of mentee spots: 1-2 students
