Early in your career, your path often takes shape step by step rather than following a fixed plan.
For Alli, that has meant building experience across different roles at Konecranes while studying Information Networks at Aalto University, gradually gaining a broader understanding of both the business and her own strengths.
Today, she works as a Digital Learning Specialist, developing learning solutions and supporting learning platform used across the organization. She works closely with experts across the business to create effective learning experiences that support employee development and performance.
Learning by doing and growing along the way
One of the most valuable aspects of Alli’s early career has been the variety of what she has been able to work on.
“In this role, one day I might work on something technical, another day on a sales-related topic, and the next on safety. You learn a lot beyond your own area.”
The learnings during her journey at Konecranes have also been very practical. From systems and tools to communication and self-leadership, the roles she has had have required her to adapt and take ownership. Managing multiple tasks at the same time has also strengthened her ability to structure her work and move things forward independently.
“It often feels like you’re the project manager of your own work.”
Building your path across roles
Before moving into her current role, Alli worked across different teams and areas at Konecranes, including IT support and training-related work in different business units.
This has given her a broader view of how the company operates and how different roles connect to each other.
“I’ve been able to see how different parts of the business work, and that helps in my current role when working with different people.”
Her path has developed through trying different things, learning along the way, and gradually finding direction through experience rather than following a single predefined route.
Understanding your impact and putting customers first
One of the most important learnings during her journey has been understanding how her work connects to the customer.
“I often think about who the end user is. I’m part of a chain where everything ultimately leads to the customer.”
Even though her role is not directly customer-facing, the impact is still clear. The platforms and content she works on are used across the organization and influence how work is done in customer-facing roles.
“In a way, I’m a tool that helps others do their job better and that improves the customer’s experience.”
Putting customers first in practice means understanding where your work fits in the bigger picture and making decisions with the end user in mind.
A culture where you can grow
Another important part of Alli’s experience has been the people around her.
“There’s a genuine willingness to help. Even if everyone works on different things, people support each other.”
This kind of environment makes it easier to ask questions, learn and step into new situations. Being included in discussions and being able to share your own perspective early on also builds confidence over time.
There are also opportunities to connect with others at a similar career stage, for example through internal and external young professional networks that bring people together through shared events, offering a chance to build connections, share experiences and learn from others early in their careers.
Tips for getting started
Looking back, Alli highlights a few things that have helped her along the way.
“Don’t be afraid of Hyvinkää,” she says with a laugh. “It might seem far from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area at first, but in practice it’s very manageable.”
She also encourages applicants to stay open and not get stuck on job titles or requirements.
“Job titles can be confusing, and you don’t need to tick every single box before applying. It’s more important to look at what you can bring and be willing to learn.”
For Alli, staying curious and being open to different kinds of opportunities has been key in building her path step by step.
