Starting strong: A first-year student dives into professional marketing

When Oona Kuusala applied for a summer trainee position in marketing at Konecranes, she had just wrapped up her first year studying Communications. She was ready to take her first real step into working life, even if she wasn’t entirely sure what she was signing up for.

"I knew Konecranes was a big company, and that was enough to spark my interest," she says. "But to be honest, I thought you made elevators!" she laughs. "Still, I was curious, and the role sounded like a great opportunity to learn." Turns out, it was cranes and material handling solutions - not quite vertical transport, but just as impressive.

That instinct proved right. Over just a few weeks, Oona found herself writing internal content, helping with the intranet, planning social media posts, and even taking part in a professional brand photoshoot.

"I’ve only been studying for a year, so I’m still very new to all of this," she explains. "But I’ve already had the chance to do a little bit of everything. It’s been exciting and really eye-opening."

Getting curious about communications

Oona’s interest in marketing and branding started with a simple question: how do businesses actually work?

"I was always interested in business and companies, and marketing just seemed like something that would matter more and more in the future," she says. "Plus, we see it around us all the time - on our phones, in stores, online. That everyday connection made it really appealing."

Even though she’s just getting started in her studies, Oona already has a sense of direction. "Communications is such a broad field, but I’m especially drawn to marketing and organizational communications. I’m also really interested in communication ethics - how we talk to people in a responsible and clear way."

From theory to the real thing

At Konecranes, Oona quickly moved from theory to practice.

"One of the first things I worked on was social media planning for our summer trainee campaign," she says. "People gave me instructions, but I was also encouraged to bring in my own ideas. That balance between guidance and freedom has been really valuable."

Then there was the brand photoshoot, a day that stood out for all the right reasons. "It was so different from the usual office routine," Oona says. "It was amazing to see how those brand materials actually get made. You don’t always think about how much work goes into those final images."

She also got to sit in on a session with one of Konecranes’ external marketing partners. "It was interesting to see how we collaborate with other companies and how those relationships help support our brand," she adds.

Small wins, big confidence

Beyond the projects, Oona says one of the biggest things she’s gained is confidence. "I’ve learned that even as a first-year student, I can contribute. I’ve felt like part of the team, and when people give you positive feedback, it really boosts your motivation."

Her proudest moments? "The photoshoot and the social media planning both stand out. But honestly, just being able to see that what I do fits into the bigger picture, that’s been really rewarding."

A workplace that feels human

One thing Oona didn’t expect from a global industrial company? How warm and relaxed the culture would be.

"Everyone here is so approachable, even the managers," she says. "People greet each other in the hallways and take time to talk. I felt welcome right from the start."

Her onboarding experience helped set the tone. "On my first day, I had lunch with the team and another summer trainee, and we had one-on-one intros that helped me understand everyone’s role. In the second week, all the summer trainees went out for lunch together, which helped us get to know each other. And the orientation day was really well thought out, we played games, worked in small groups. It wasn’t just sitting and listening, which made it fun."

Looking ahead with clarity

Now that the summer is wrapping up, Oona feels even more confident in her career path. "This experience has confirmed that communications and marketing are the right areas for me. I like how things are run here, and it’s been motivating to see how what I learn at university actually shows up in real work."

Her advice to other students considering a summer job in an industrial company? "Don’t be scared. Just be brave and apply," she says. "You’ll learn by doing, and you’ll grow way more than you expect."

And if her summer were a movie? "I’d call it Opportunities. It’s been full of new experiences and ways to grow. I’ve learned so much just by jumping in."

related-content

Life at Konecranes Starting strong: A first-year student dives into professional marketing

CAREER STORY