Our Alumna Annukka Hakala: Opportunities abound in the innovative infrastructure sector

After graduation, Annukka Hakala started to work as a foreman at Destia, and only three years later she was offered a position of a site manager. Hakala's job description includes, for example, being responsible for large contracts and managing human resources.

– When I started as a site manager, I felt I was rather young for the role. The world was also a very different place back then. Nevertheless, I had great support from the management and other employees. But it goes without saying that it was a big leap for me at the time when my experience was still very limited, says Hakala.

According to Hakala the best thing about working as a site manager is the changing job sites along with the new challenges that come up every day. She enjoys what she does and wants to enable her employees to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

– My goal in my career is to maintain my own interest and enthusiasm towards what I do. I think that's the most important thing, whatever the job role. If you lose the spark for your own work, then you better find something else to do.

Changes in the infrastructure sector

Annukka Hakala specializes in maintenance contracts at Destia. She says that one of her most memorable projects was the maintenance of the Tampere Rantatunneli. Destia was responsible for the maintenance of the tunnel for six years.

– At the time, the bank tunnel was state-of-the-art, and the whole project was inspiring for all of us. We took it on bravely and did very well. What also makes the project memorable is how controversial subject the whole Rantatunneli project was," Hakala recalls.

Hakala is attracted by the impact the infrastructure sector has on society, as well as its ability to innovate and adapt to world changes. Alongside infrastructure construction and maintenance has come energy construction, energy networks, charging stations and wind farms. The sector's capacity to innovate is particularly important today. The challenging economic situation is reflected in increased competition, with more bidders for contracts.

– It's challenging, but on the other hand, you just have to work these things out. The infrastructure sector is moving ahead fast, developing ways of working and exploiting the opportunities offered by the digitalisation, such as artificial intelligence. In many ways, I think we are leading the way.

Gratifying study years  

Hakala, who graduated as a civil engineer from TAMK's Infrastructure Department, ended up studying civil engineering through a slight detour. She first started studying hospitality management, but soon realized that what she truly dreamed of, was engineering.

– I had been working in catering business since I was a child and was also qualified as a chef. Then I realized that being involved with those kinds of things really wasn’t my “cup of tea”. I applied to study forestry, paper technology and civil engineering. When I was accepted to study civil engineering, I wondered for a while, if I would dare to take this step. Luckily, I did.

When choosing her field of specialization, Hakala pondered between building and infrastructure. When she applied, she had thought she would go into the building sector but ended up in infrastructure. She has not regretted her decision, and house building has since become something of a hobby for Hakala. She built a detached house in Kangasala, where she currently lives with her family.

– Now there are design plans for a summer cottage waiting on the table. This hobby is here to stay, Hakala laughs.

Hakala goes through construction projects together with her ex-classmates. She greatly appreciates having people in her life with whom to discuss and share perspectives on construction and other important topics. In addition to having made lifelong friends at TAMK, Hakala is grateful for the fun memories of her student days, as well as the nice teachers and thriving student community. She says her studies gave her a solid foundation and basic knowledge for future working life.

– During studies, you were being prepared for the working life. Out of the many courses, I particularly remember the maintenance course taught by Rauno Kuusela, Quality Manager at Destia. Thanks to this course, I found the topic for my final thesis, and ended up working for Destia. Rauno has since become a close colleague. So, it was a life-changing course for me.

Direction and cooperation

Hakala now teaches a maintenance course at TAMK. She knows how important it is for students to have contact with the working life. For Hakala, being an alumna means showing direction and being a role model.

– I want to give students a glimpse of a real working life during their time at TAMK. I feel that my job as an alumna is to create a positive image of studying and to act as an inspiration for where the studies can take you. I believe that the basic skills are acquired at school, while the deeper knowledge is gained at work.

Destia is one of TAMK’s corporate partners and the two co-operate closely. Hakala has been involved in brainstorming the forms of cooperation and Destia's partnership role. Currently Destia offers a wide range of opportunities for TAMK students, such as summer job placements and co-operation in thesis work. In addition, Hakala has spoken at various events and lectures. Destia is also involved in cooperation days and recruitment events for universities of applied sciences.

– Our interest is to attract graduates to work for us and thus acquire new talent, which is in great demand in this sector. By being in constant contact with the students, we can recruit them, and meanwhile also teach them about the job.

In Hakala's view, it is important that educational institutions can swiftly respond to the changes in the infrastructure sector. Digitalisation, among other things, is changing the skills needed in the sector, which are very different from, say, ten years ago. Hakala encourages today's infrastructure students to complete their studies and then make a rapid transition to working life.

– Ending up in the infrastructure sector is a good choice in itself. Companies need the workforce and will certainly create opportunities for you.

 

Text and photo: Veera Suontausta