I have worked for just over four years at the National Emergency Supply Agency as a preparedness specialist in the energy sector. My work is diverse and highly network-oriented expert work. In my opinion, NESA is an extremely interesting workplace with a great spirit of collaboration. During my time there, I have had the opportunity to challenge myself with genuinely complex and meaningful issues. Perhaps it was exactly those kinds of challenges that I was looking for when I first ended up here! My work involves electricity-related security of supply issues, such as organising preparedness exercises, planning preparedness support for energy companies critical to security of supply, and carrying out various research and assessment projects.
I originally studied sustainability science, then still called environmental engineering, from 2013 to 2018 in LUT. The COVID-19 inspired me to continue my studies, which eventually led to completing a second master's degree alongside my work in the Master's Programme in Security and Strategic Analysis at the University of Jyväskylä. I returned to LUT in spring 2025 when I began as a part-time doctoral researcher in the social sciences department. In my doctoral research, I now study energy infrastructures, resilience, and the expertise associated with them.
The best part of mentoring is the interesting discussions and dialogue. I have personally participated in numerous mentoring programmes as a mentee and have served as a mentor in LUT's mentoring programme during the previous three years. I see mentoring above all as an equal and relaxed conversation about those topics that are particularly relevant to the participating student at that moment in time. My mentoring style is probably somewhat distinctive, but I believe that the most important aspect of successful mentoring is ensuring that both parties learn something new. When that happens, it is easy to look back at the end of the programme and conclude that the time invested was well worth it.
I consider myself a rather atypical engineer who, through a series of coincidences, ultimately ended up in work that is quite unusual compared to my original degree. Nevertheless, I believe that an engineering degree is an excellent passport that opens doors to many kinds of professional communities. Through mentoring, I hope I can convince at least one student that it is not necessary to know your future job or career path even when you are about to graduate. You can figure it out along the way!
- Studies at LUT: Environmental engineering, 2018
- Mentoring language: Finnish or English
- Number of mentee spots: one student
