Matias’ career story

Interest in power technology 

Matias originally graduated from Lappia Vocational College in Tornio as an electrical and automation technician. After that, he studied power engineering at Lapland University of Applied Sciences in Kemi. During his studies, Matias worked in production at Outokumpu. In the winter, he worked as an emergency assistant in a workshop with a few people alongside his studies. Last summer, he ended up in a supervisory position in electrical maintenance at an Outokumpu mine. He graduated from Lapland University of Applied Sciences in December 2020. 

“After graduation, the COVID-19 pandemic made job searching difficult and there were simply no jobs available. After four months of job searching, I applied for a permanent position at Botnia Mill Service. After the job interview, I came in second place, but I was offered a summer job in the position,” says Matias. 

After the summer job ended, Matias ended up staying there for a total of two and a half years. For the last six months of this time, he worked under Metsä Fibre as an old employee following the business transfer. “They were ready to extend my fix-term contract, but I refused because I figured that I had already had a long-enough stretch of fixed-term employment under my belt, and my performance during that time had been evaluated as excellent,” says Matias. 

Toward permanent employment 

Shortly after leaving his fixed-term job, Matias secured a permanent job in a supervisory position in electrical maintenance at Outokumpu, which he had already been doing his studies. Right at the end of his probationary period, he dared to apply for a permanent position as Service and Project Manager at ABB, and he got the job. 

“Applying for my current job was the most challenging thing. The company is a world-renowned leader in the technology industry, with employees who are specialists in their field. As I was in a permanent employment relationship when I applied, I had no urgent need to get the job,” says Matias. 

Diverse work and a sizable raise! 

In his current job, Matias has to deal with a wide variety of different customers and companies. At least so far, the work has been pleasant and suitable for him. 
Matias feels that the work tasks are motivating and that no two days are the same. In terms of salary, the new position significantly boosted his monthly earnings! 

“The Salary statistics of the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland have helped me with coming up with my salary requirement. I’ve also extensively made use of the Union’s luncheons, events, and other networking opportunities. Participating in organizational activities has given me confidence and improved my public presentation skills, too,” says Matias. 

Ever since vocational school, Matias has wanted to develop into an electrical engineering expert. His current position has made this wish slightly more specific: he currently wants to develop as a special advisor in power technology and be part of implementing a more technically sustainable and innovative future.