Combining Work and Studies Flexibly

I’ve been working at Ensto since 2021. I started as an HR Trainee, continued as a summer worker and after that have been working as a part-time HR Assistant along with my studies. This summer I had full workdays and now again in August, I changed to part-time mode as my master studies continue in September. I study social psychology at the University of Helsinki and graduated as a Bachelor of Social Sciences in spring 2022. In electives I have focused on Human Resources and management.

Creating Content for Digital Learning

My main task has been to create a new onboarding path for the digital learning environment, in practice digital courses. Now I've been working on them further; new leaders and summer employees will have their own versions and there will be a global version of the orientation. In addition, I have done other instructional courses, for example, related to the recruitment process, as well as auxiliary tasks. I have participated in recruitments and coordinated them, organized events for new employees, hosted various visits and executed tasks related to internal and external communications. Now, I focus on digital courses, as that I can do flexibly alongside my studies.

Being Trusted Feels Good

Two years ago, I contacted Ensto when I needed an internship and wanted to get an HR job. I live in Helsinki, but had spent time in Porvoo with my friends, and hence, knew Ensto as a company. I've enjoyed my time here as I like my colleagues and all the assignments. Everyone has been so nice and open, and we get along great. My tasks are versatile and interesting from the very beginning; I’ve been trusted and given responsibility, and that feels good. In addition, I am encouraged to speak out and tell my opinions.

Family Business Values in Every-day Work

Ensto is a family business with a true people-oriented approach – the ‘People First’ strategy is involved in everyday work, everything is woven into the ideology of that, right down to the values. Everything has to do with it. All along, the way of thinking has been that you learn by doing. That suits me well and exactly by doing so I have learned a lot. At first, I was a bit afraid and hesitant but today I feel a lot more confident. You know, when someone trusts you, you learn to trust yourself, too.

Learning by Doing

It has been very useful to create content for others because I am constantly challenged to think how to explain things in a way that is easy to understand for the other party. I’ve learned what Ensto is as a company, and which kind of background processes are needed to keep it all running. It has been motivating to understand the big picture. This has been possible only because I have been involved in everything we do in the HR – at least as an auditor.

Various Career Paths

There are many ways to enter a company – a long recruitment process is not always needed. I started as a trainee but have been able to continue the work part-time after that. I am very grateful for the flexibility as that helps me to combine the work and my studies. I would like to encourage people to find their own way to Ensto.

Aili Lundin

The writer of the blog is working as a part-time HR Assistant at Ensto in Finland.