Hi! I’m Joel, and for three summer months I worked as a Project Support and Administration trainee at OEP. I study Industrial Engineering and Management at LUT University, and I am now starting my final master’s degree year in Data Analytics in Decision Making.
Before joining OEP for this summer, I had worked in various fields such as manufacturing, but none of my previous jobs have been directly in my field of studies. My role at OEP wasn’t exactly aligned with my degree either, but I was happy to experience a real office environment for the first time. I decided to send an open application and was invited to an interview where we discussed what I could do. The process was very swift and straightforward.
Typical day
My typical day included a variety of different tasks, supporting different projects and teams and handling some administrative office work as well. I also acted as IT support, which showcased how your background or skills can come in handy even if they’re not part of your “job description”.
The team and culture
The working environment at OEP was very supportive, friendly, and open to new ideas from the very first day onwards! I was quickly trusted with real assignments and responsibilities. Even though the TVET and education environment was unfamiliar to me, learning about it was both rewarding and challenging. I constantly discovered new things about the field which could prove useful in the future!
Advice for Future Trainees
Even if, like me, you don’t have a background in education or TVET, you’ll find OEP a great place to work on your soft skills and gain valuable experience in international project work. My advice is to keep a great attitude and a curious mind by asking questions and being genuinely interested in how things work, even beyond your own role. Also check in with your colleagues to see how you can support their work!