20 years and over 5,500 career stories. To celebrate our anniversary, we are sharing five stories about how careers begin and how they truly take shape.
For two decades, aTalent has helped more than 5,500 people find new job opportunities and supported thousands of job seekers in their career development. Over the years, aTalent has built the most extensive networks in Finland with universities, universities of applied sciences, and student organizations. From the very start, our founders understood that success in recruitment comes from having the best and most diverse talent pool. That’s why we decided to play a different game – by taking care of every job seeker in the best possible way.
Today, aTalent specializes in demanding expert and managerial recruitment, but we still support early-career professionals. We understand the needs of highly educated millennials better than anyone else in Finland – the desire for meaningful work, flexibility, and family-friendly policies.
To mark our anniversary, we present five inspiring career stories that reflect the changing world of work and aTalent’s role in shaping career paths.
Olli, Senior Front End Developer: From Student to Top Expert – "Meaningful Work Doesn't Feel Like a Chore"
As graduation approaches, the direction of one's career is not always clear. This was the case for Olli, who had been studying computer science for a few years. In 2018, he came across aTalent’s job listings and decided to apply for a Web Specialist position. Speed was key in the recruitment process, and one of the jobs Olli applied for turned into an offer.
Olli has been with the same company for six years, progressing into new roles along the way. "It's important to continuously develop your skills and showcase them," he advises. For him, the most crucial aspect of work is genuine passion: "Without it, work feels like a burden. If it constantly feels like that, it's hard to give your best."
From his position in the tech industry, Olli has witnessed significant changes in the workplace, especially the shift to remote work during the pandemic. While some companies have started to restrict remote work, Olli values his company's flexible hybrid model, which balances the freedom of remote work with the community of an office. For him, a flexible work culture is key to professional growth and a fulfilling life outside of work.
Emmi, HR & Compensation Analyst: From Mentorship to Meaning – "A Good Work Life Is a Human One"
Finding the right mentor can be a pivotal step toward one’s dream career – this was Emmi’s experience. She joined her student guild’s mentoring program and was paired with Jenni Tontti, then a recruitment consultant at aTalent and now the company’s Head of Recruitment.
"During the mentoring process, Jenni helped me refine my CV, LinkedIn profile, and job applications for summer job searches," Emmi recalls. Her efforts paid off when she landed a summer job in financial administration through aTalent, which later turned into a part-time role alongside her studies.
Young professionals are increasingly looking for meaning and balance between work and personal life. Organizations should respond by offering more flexible working methods and making each employee’s role in the bigger picture more visible.
Now working in HR, Emmi pays close attention to the evolving expectations of younger employees. "If I had to summarize what makes a good work life in one word, it would be ‘human,’" she concludes.
Petri, Asset Manager: Climbing to the Top with Determination – "A Career Doesn’t Progress by Waiting, but by Acting"
In 2020, Petri, a recent graduate, landed his first industry job as an Associate in a real estate company through aTalent. He first spotted the job ad on aTalent’s social media and decided to apply. The personal and active approach of the recruitment process left a lasting impression on him – he still remembers the name of his recruiter.
Petri’s career advanced quickly. aTalent later helped him secure a more demanding Asset Manager position. "I've been in the right place at the right time," he reflects on his rapid career progression from a real estate development expert to a managerial role.
To students and early-career professionals, he advises: "If the future feels uncertain, don’t stress too much. Things tend to fall into place as long as you stay active and eager to learn. If you want to move forward, don’t just wait – actively seek new opportunities."
Lasse, Technical Customer Service Manager: From a Random Job Posting to the Perfect Role – "Trust the Process"
Sometimes, a career opportunity comes out of nowhere. This happened to Lasse in spring 2023 when his spouse stumbled upon a job posting shared by aTalent. That chance encounter led him to a role as a Technical Customer Service Manager, a perfect match for his previous skills and experience.
Lasse believes that a good work life is built on three pillars: engaging and inspiring work, future growth opportunities, and long-term stability. "When you care about your job and what you do, it’s easy to get excited about the challenges and opportunities it brings," he says. He also acknowledges that career aspirations can evolve over time, and unexpected opportunities can lead to the best outcomes. "Trust the process!" he encourages.
Job hunting has changed radically in recent years – digital platforms, LinkedIn, and AI have revolutionized recruitment, creating both opportunities and challenges. In this evolving job market, standing out is crucial. Now more than ever, it’s time to shine as your authentic self.
Terhi, Development Manager: From Consultant to Development Manager – "The Family-Friendly Culture Convinced Me from the First Interview"
For years, Terhi worked as a consultant without actively seeking a new job. But when she saw a job posting shared by aTalent, she paused – the consultant role at a software company perfectly aligned with her strengths in language skills and industry expertise.
The recruitment process with aTalent was seamless from start to finish – interview scheduling was flexible, communication was prompt, and the atmosphere was relaxed and conversational. Terhi was especially impressed by the recruiter’s expertise.
Even if your first jobs don’t align perfectly with what you studied, that doesn’t mean your education was wasted.
Applying for the new position turned out to be the right decision. Since then, Terhi’s career has progressed rapidly within the same company. She moved from consultant to project manager and now holds a development manager role. A major factor in her satisfaction has been her employer’s genuinely family-friendly culture, which was evident even during the hiring process. "My manager emphasized that the company supports employees with children and family life," she recalls.
Terhi highlights that career paths often evolve unexpectedly and don’t need to follow the plans made during studies. The first job doesn’t define an entire career. "Even if your first jobs don’t align perfectly with what you studied, that doesn’t mean your education was wasted," she reassures.