For many students, a summer job at Umicore is an opportunity to apply their studies in practical work, get to know an industrial operating environment and build their expertise alongside professionals in the field. Umicore offers summer employees an environment where safety, learning and a good working community go hand in hand.
This summer, Umicore’s summer employees included University students Hilla Kallioinen and Miro Poikkijoki. For both of them, the summer has provided new perspectives on their field, strengthened their practical skills and offered experience of what it is like to work as part of a global advanced materials technology and recycling company.
Who are you, Hilla and Miro?
“I study at the University of Turku and have just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Technology. Next, I will continue my studies towards a Master of Science in Technology, focusing on biomolecule production. I chose the field because I was initially interested in developing cosmetics, but as my studies progressed, cancer research and other research work have also sparked my interest,” Hilla says.
Umicore was already familiar to Hilla, as she had also worked with us the previous summer. “After last summer, I felt that I had learned things during my summer job that later came up in courses in the autumn and the following year. That felt really motivating and rewarding,” Hilla says.
Miro will soon graduate from Centria University of Applied Sciences as a chemical engineer. He has a background in process operator studies and also previous work experience at Umicore. “I have worked at Umicore in various roles through internships and summer jobs. It has been interesting and rewarding to develop in different departments, such as working as a process operator in production, in the precipitation laboratory and now in Solvent extraction as a shift supervisor,” Miro says.
Varied tasks and responsibility
Hilla’s work in the precipitation and research laboratory this summer has provided an opportunity to see more broadly what happens to the product during the process. Monitoring, analysing and studying samples have brought both interest and challenge to the work. It has been especially rewarding to be able to think independently about how to best proceed with the work.
Miro’s summer as a substitute shift supervisor has included, among other things, providing instructions, solving problem situations together with different functions, writing work permits and, most importantly, ensuring occupational safety in his own area.
“At first, the area of responsibility felt broad, but over the summer my overall understanding of the process strengthened and the work area became familiar. I have a great and experienced team, and it has been really nice to work with them,” Miro describes.
A good working community and safety support learning
Both summer employees highlight the importance of Umicore’s good working community. It makes work enjoyable, and conversations with colleagues are open and encouraging. “There is a good atmosphere here, and it is always nice to come to work. In our department, colleagues are also taken into account, for example by preparing the work for the next shift as smooth as possible,” Hilla says.
At Umicore, safety always comes first. “This is reflected daily in our working methods and instructions and for example, in the issuing of work permits. It is important to everyone that, in addition to our own personnel, we also take shared responsibility for the safety of contractors and others moving around the Kokkola Industrial Park,” Miro underlines.
What kind of roles might we see you in next summer?
“I would like to move towards research or product development roles, where I could focus more deeply on studying product properties and improving final results,” Hilla says. Umicore in Kokkola also has its own research and development organisation, so perhaps we will see Hilla in Kokkola again next summer.
“Based on the current plan, I will graduate as an engineer this autumn, and I hope I will be able to continue at Umicore after graduation as well. I really enjoy shift work and the role of shift supervisor,” Miro adds.
A summer job at Umicore offers students the opportunity to learn new things, take on responsibility and grow as part of a professional working community. During the summer, the significance of the industrial operating environment also becomes visible, as this is where development work and production behind everyday products take place. Seeing the process up close makes it easier to understand the many stages through which products are created. Hilla’s and Miro’s experiences show that a successful summer job is built on meaningful tasks, a safe working environment and people who help you move forward.
