Karoliina got her first practical experience of the IT industry while studying information and media technology at Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences. A subsequent move to Sweden meant broadening her perspectives and diversifying her skills.
“My starting point was already very vague, as there was no specific profession for which I could graduate. I worked as an international coordinator at an institute of technology in Sweden, and then returned to Finland to work at Tampere Hall, in the event industry. I had to find something to do, so I started at the grassroots level and steadily worked my way up until I was eventually the head of the service department. I was a supervisor for more than 10 years and part of the extended management team,” says Karoliina.
“Then for the last year I worked in the IT department. From there I joined the architectural firm Tähti-Set, where I was office manager for four years.”
After a variety of job profiles and different industries, Karolina felt that her preferred job could be in IT development, which after all was the starting point for her studies in years past. The company Karoliina worked for at the time was a client of the IT company Digikuu, and the people and spirit of Digikuu made a big impression on her as she was considering her future. The warm atmosphere at Digikuu made it clear that this could well be the right place for taking the next step.
“I really liked the way the business owners did things, and then I just thought ‘yeah, I want to work for them.’ Even though I didn’t know what I could offer them, and in what role.”
“I submitted an open application video and soon realised that this really is a job made for me. I really enjoy providing training, and the multi-faceted career path I’ve had helps me in many ways.”
A changing organisation, same company culture
Just a few months after Karoliina joined Digikuu, Netox purchased the company’s entire share capital. The change initially worried he, but has since proved to be an excellent solution for both companies.
“The difference is that there was no office work at Digikuu. When I came to the company, we agreed that I’d work remotely all the time. Although we now have offices in many cities thanks to Netox, I still work from home. My work requires a certain setup with cameras and microphones for me to be able to provide the training at a professional level. Even though I work remotely, I’m on the line with dozens of people at the same time every week. This way, I always have the feeling that I’m constantly in contact with people.”
“Our prospects are now good in many respects. We moved here as our own unit, supplemented by a few Netox people, so we kept the same familiar team together. We have an amazing vibe here, and now that we’ve got some new faces in as well, with some new humour and so on, it’s super nice.”
Although Netox is clearly bigger than Digikuu, Karoliina says the working culture is still open and trust-based.
“When I joined Digikuu, it was very heavily emphasised to us that everyone’s calendar is their own. We have a two-week period within which we don’t have to accept calendar invitations. This ensures that there’s room to do things properly. I have a strong sense of control – that I have the reins, and it’s not like someone else is filling up my time on the calendar and I don’t even have time for lunch.
“I’ve also experienced the downside of working life, as I’ve burnt myself out a couple of times. Fortunately, I’m older and wiser now, so I can appreciate the good things.”
We have a really super vibe at work.
Work satisfaction from great tasks and great people
At Netox, Karoliina’s days are filled with invoicing, customer training and their planning and follow-up. Consultancy is sometimes hectic, but there are also moments of relaxation.
“We have a really lovely tradition, from the days of Digikuu, which is the business unit’s own Teams morning coffee on Fridays. We have a good laugh together and have a rule that if you talk about work, you get a little warning. We have people who’re really active in our coffee breaks, keeping the camera on and fully participating. Not everyone, of course, and there’s no pressure on anyone, but it’s usually the same people making lame jokes that everyone gets a kick out of all the same.”
For Karoliina, Netox is both an employer that offers employees good work and a shining example of a humane model of working.
“In all my previous jobs, I have always had to start developing what was missing, even if it wasn’t necessarily part of my job description. With Netox, you have all the systems, tools and other basics in place and you don’t have to spend time on non-essentials.
“You won’t find high-priced, sharp-edged consultants here, the kind of slick types who overprice their work. Our prices are reasonable, but our customers get really good training and recordings. We have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, and that in itself presses us to do a good job.”
Karoliina has enthusiastic advice for anyone thinking of applying to Netox:
“The key is of course to just pluck up the courage and apply. I didn’t even know what role I might get when I applied, and few of us really tick every single box listed in the job ad. I would definitely recommend Netox – applying could be the smartest move you ever make in your career.”
