Who are you?
I'm Kristiina, I studied at the English Department 2009–2014 and I was the Secretary and Information Coordinator of SUB ry for a couple of board terms during my studies.
What is your job title?
Director, Communications & PR Strategy.
What does your job entail?
I help companies grow through storytelling. In practice, this means creating communications and PR strategies, offering coverage-worthy stories to journalists and consulting with clients on the best ways to solve their communications-related business challenges. I do a lot of writing, project management, and also sales work.
What pros and cons does your job have?
Pros: I get to learn a lot from many top experts in their field. I can't tell you how humbling and inspiring it is to work with people who have PhDs in quantum mechanics! Cons: Agency work can be very hectic! You are also expected to get results for multiple demanding clients so you need solid stress management skills.
How did you get employed at your current place of work?
I hit a point at my previous job where I felt that in order to keep learning and growing, I needed to look for a new opportunity. I reached out to my personal network and was put in touch with the founder of the company I work for. We had some conversations, I met the team, and I was hired.
What skills do you think helped you get employed (studies, previous work experience, etc.)?
Getting hired for this position was all about my hands-on experience and success with media relations and external communications. I got my first job because I was fluent in English and Finnish, and there was a position in a communications agency for a trainee, requiring these language skills. Everything I know about PR and communications as a discipline I have learned on the job.
What has your career path been like?
I think it's been steady – I've had a lot of luck along the way, but I've also been very intentional. My career path so far has been a hunt to learn something new and keep learning. After I got started in my career, the next step was an in-house role to learn about working in a large corporation. The next step was international communications and PR at my current job.
When did you study at university?
2009–2014.
What did you study?
English philology. That's what it was called at the time!
Did your eventual job match the expectations you had in the beginning of your studies?
I honestly had zero expectations. When I started my studies, a future job was the last thing on my mind. I was much more interested in all the literature courses!
Any tips for current students thinking about their careers and looking for employment?
Stay curious and think beyond what you think your skills are. You will have to keep learning through your entire life and if you're waiting for that moment when you finally feel ready to take a big leap... That moment will never come. You have to take action and risks even when you think you're not ready. You're as ready as you're going to be.
Where can people find you on social media?
You can search me up on