How three summers shaped an engineer

When Ville Ikola first stepped into Konecranes, he was a vocational school student assembling electrical panels on the RTG crane line. Back then, he was just starting out - unsure of his career path, but curious. Today, three summers later, Ville is a recent engineering graduate working in automation. And he’s come a long way from learning how to use a screwdriver.

“I remember my first summer well. Everything was new, even the tools,” Ville says. “Now, I’m working in automation and getting pulled into different kinds of tasks each day. I’ve learned a lot.”

Ville recently graduated with a degree in Electrical and Automation Engineering. He also holds a vocational qualification in the same field. His path into the electrical industry wasn’t planned, but it felt right. “I wasn’t sure what to study at first, but I knew the electrical field was constantly evolving and would offer stable career options,” he explains.

From panels to process control

Over the years, Ville has experienced Konecranes from multiple perspectives: production, testing, and now automation. Each summer has added a new layer to his understanding, and boosted his confidence.

“This current role is definitely more demanding,” he says. “But that’s what makes it interesting. Even though I don’t have my own projects yet, I’ve learned a lot by following experienced colleagues.”

This summer, Ville has been involved in testing VT cranes and working on a project for an electric crane heading to Canada. His tasks have included hands-on work like installing and verifying camera systems. The complexity behind each task surprised him.

“Some things look simple - like connecting a wire - but there’s way more behind it. It’s never just plug and play.”

One of his proudest moments? Getting a camera system up and running after diving deep into manuals and technical documentation. “It’s a great feeling when you finally make something work after putting in the effort.”

A deeper understanding through hands-on work

Ville credits his previous summers on the production side for giving him a strong technical foundation. “When you know how the components work physically, it’s easier to understand the whole system. That background helps with troubleshooting too, you spot problems faster, and you can think several steps ahead.”

Now, as part of a major project involving control rooms and automation processes, Ville says the variety keeps things interesting. “I’m constantly learning, and since it’s my third summer, I’m being moved between different tasks. I like that.”

Finding support - and future direction

Working at the Hyvinkää site also felt like a natural fit for Ville - not just professionally, but personally. “I’m from Hyvinkää, so it’s always been a convenient place to work. But beyond that, I’ve enjoyed the work and the environment. The company has a good reputation and people are supportive.”

He especially appreciates how approachable the automation team has been. “Tommi Turku stands out - he’s easy to talk to, demanding in a good way, and keeps the work atmosphere relaxed.”

While Ville hasn’t had a single “lightbulb” moment about his future, the summer has shown him that automation is where he wants to grow. “This is something I could see myself doing long-term. Maybe even for the next twenty years.”

And if he had it his way? “I’d love to combine work with my passions like snowboarding and skateboarding. A work trip to the Alps where I can ride after work - that would be the dream.”

From comic strips to career stories

Asked to sum up his multi-year summer journey, Ville doesn’t hesitate. “It would be a comic called From Amateur to Engineer - kind of like something out of Kummeli. You start off clumsy, but over time, you get better and more confident.”

His advice to other students: don’t overthink it. “Even if you’re not a perfect match for the job description, apply. Keep learning. And don’t be afraid to reach out to former supervisors, it really pays off.”

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How three summers shaped an engineer

From panels to process control

A deeper understanding through hands-on work

Finding support - and future direction

From comic strips to career stories