Gateway to Working Life 2025 kicks off on Monday!
As the event approaches, we’d like to share an inspiring story from last year’s event:
Milla Aaltonen, a career changer who transitioned from being a nurse to studying mechanical engineering kickstarted their engineering career at last year’s Gateway to Working Life.
Without prior technical work experience, they leveraged the communication skills developed in their previous profession and engaged with companies at the event. Milla had researched the companies they were interested in before the event and then at the event patiently waited in line to speak with companies. At Metso’s booth, a conversation led to encouragement to apply for a position they wouldn’t have even considered on their own. In May Milla started summer work/internship in that role and continued working in the company after the summer.
This year Milla is returning to Portti—this time on the other side of the table, looking for a new intern and colleague for their team for next summer. “I want to inspire others who are looking for an internship by being a living example of how things can turn out well.”
Now representing the company, Milla encourages students attending the event to think in advance about what kind of roles or tasks interest them and to ask questions during the event since there’s an opportinity to do so. Companies are happy to hear what kind of position you are looking for and what you’d like to learn for example during a summer job. “No one expects someone to be a fully trained professional, especially for their first internship. As long as you’ve completed the basic courses in your field and are ready to learn more during the summer, that’s enough.”
Finally, we asked for some encouraging words for students who, in today’s challenging economic situation, may be searching for jobs and attending Portti this year. “Even though there are so many applicants, there’s always someone—and in big companies even ~100 people—who ultimately get a summer job. That someone could just as well be you,” Milla cheers.
Get inspired by Milla’s story and join us at Gateway to Working Life next week!
Event Details:
TAMK Main Campus lobby, 10 AM – 2 PM
The event is divided into the following days:
- Monday, 20.1. Social and Health Care, Business, Service Management, and others
- Tuesday, 21.1. Technology and ICT
- Wednesday 22.1. Technology