“I didn’t plan to do this long-term,” he admits. “I knew nothing about infrastructure construction or sport facility development when I applied. I wasn’t a circular economy expert either.”
Yet Erik’s career into sustainability didn’t follow a straight or traditional path. Rather, it has grown through openness, curiosity, and a willingness to step into the unknown.
Discovering Sustainability Through the ECGS Programme
Erik’s academic journey reflects the same openness that would later shape his professional choices. Coming from a bachelor’s degree in social and public policy, he did not initially plan to apply to the Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (ECGS) programme. Structural changes at the university led him to explore new pathways, and ECGS appeared just in time.
“I didn’t know much about the programme when I applied. It was new, and honestly, the first months were confusing,” he says. Erik was a student in ECGS’s very first year, 2017. The cohort was small and entirely Finnish, despite most courses being taught in English. And many of the early classes leaned toward natural sciences.
He shares one particular moment: “There was a chemistry-related question in the intro course that half of us didn’t even understand. The lecturer asked if we knew what he meant – and most of us said no.”
For someone from social sciences, it was easy to wonder whether he belonged. But over time, the programme’s interdisciplinary nature became a strength rather than a barrier.
Erik eventually gravitated toward consumer research and social-science–oriented sustainability courses, especially those led by Professor Eva Heiskanen. “That was where everything clicked,” he explains. “The topics were intellectually challenging, but they made sense to me. They connected sustainability to everyday behavior, systems, and society.”
This flexibility of being able to tailor the programme to his interests proved impactful. Even though some modules felt rigid at the time, his academic advisors encouraged him to propose alternative courses and shape his own learning path. Those experiences helped him develop confidence in navigating interdisciplinary spaces. Over time, Erik saw the programme evolve, becoming more international, more diverse, and more responsive to student needs. “I’ve talked to people who entered later cohorts, and they say it’s changed a lot for the better. More flexibility, stronger structure, and clearer guidance.”
Academic Lessons That Shape His Work Today
The ECGS programme strengthened core intellectual tools that Erik still relies on:
- Understanding complexity
Sustainability challenges rarely have simple solutions. ECGS taught him to approach them from multiple directions, seeking the environmental, social, behavioral, and economic elements of a solution. - Critical thinking
“Sometimes too much,” he laughs. In project work, big systemic thinking can clash with the small, incremental nature of real-world tasks. - Behavioral insights and change theories
The consumer research courses helped him understand how to influence behavior both at the individual and systems level – skills he now applies across fields. - Methodological competence
Writing, structuring information, searching for evidence, and synthesising complex material were at the core of his work.
And perhaps most importantly:
- Becoming comfortable as a generalist
“In sustainability, generalists are needed. There are many experts with deep technical knowledge, but fewer people who can connect things and bring people together.”
These academic influences continue to contribute to his work at the City of Helsinki, even when his current project involving plastic infill materials for sports fields falls far from the specific topics he learned in his degree. He is open to the new learning experiences, and sees this as a pathway towards other opportunities.
Finding a Place in a Large System
Now well into his position, Erik manages Helsinki’s role in the PlastLIFE project. His responsibilities include coordinating across departments, motivating partners whose main jobs lie elsewhere, and navigating the complexities of public-sector governance.
“If I don’t push things forward, nothing happens,” he says. “But you’re also working with people who already have full plates. So it’s a balance of diplomacy, persistence, and patience.”
Despite the challenges, the role has opened his eyes to the inner workings of the city: how decisions flow, how public procurement works, and how sustainability becomes integrated into such a big system.
“In that sense, it’s been invaluable.”
Co-Creation as a Professional Identity
Although his current role leans toward technical project management, Erik’s deeper professional identity lies in co-creation and facilitation. These skills, shaped through studies, early work experiences, and personal interest, remain central to how he understands his place in sustainability work.
“I often say I’m a co-creator because it’s both true and aspirational. It’s where I feel most myself.”
He still supports colleagues with workshops, process planning, and collaborative problem-solving whenever he can – slowly building recognition for the work he hopes will define his future career.
Navigating a Difficult Job Market
Erik speaks openly about the challenges facing sustainability graduates today. The market is competitive, full with highly experienced applicants. Graduates are competing with people longer into their career, even in temporary junior positions.
“For new graduates, internships might be the only reliable entry route right now. Once you’re inside an organisation, you can move around.”
He has witnessed both the power and the unfairness of networks, acknowledging that connections often play a decisive role in hiring.
“I don’t love it, but it’s the reality. At least I try to make sure that if someone recommends me, it’s because I’ve proven myself – not just because we’ve met.”
Before turning 30, Erik experienced two burnouts in a toxic workplace – an experience that profoundly shaped his approach to well-being.
“Now I notice the signs early. If I start withdrawing or feeling anxious, I know I need to act.”
This awareness helps him navigate the instability of temporary contracts and project-based work, which can be draining without long-term security.
Advice for Current ECGS Students and Graduates
Erik offers two primary pieces of advice:
1. Communicate your ambitions
“Tell people what you want to do. It feels uncomfortable at first, but that’s how opportunities happen.”
His own career turning points often began with one honest sentence about his interests.
2. Use your studies to explore what you want, not what you think you should do
During his bachelor’s degree, Erik chose minors he thought were “useful”, economics and Swedish, only to realise they did little for his motivation.
“I spent so much energy forcing myself to study things that didn’t inspire me. In hindsight, I should have used that time to explore what I really cared about.”
He encourages students to pursue courses, themes, and projects that genuinely excite them, rather than the ones that seem safe or strategic.
Looking Ahead
Although he doesn’t see himself staying in technical project management forever, Erik is committed to contributing to sustainability transitions in ways that align with his strengths: co-creation, collaboration, systems thinking, and supporting others.
“I just want a job where I know I’m doing good work – where I can trust that what I’m doing matters.”
Wherever he moves next, whether that be back toward facilitation or deeper into sustainability strategy, his path continues to be shaped by openness, reflection, and the courage to say what he truly wants.