Summer job led Joonas to a permanent career in construction and bridge projects across Lapland: “A real wow experience”

20.12.24

A summer job at NYAB gave Joonas Salminen and Toivo Virtanen an opportunity to gain practical experience in their chosen fields alongside their studies while taking on increasing responsibility in major construction projects. They share why NYAB has provided an excellent environment for developing as construction professionals and future site managers.

NYAB offers a wide range of internship and summer employment opportunities each year in infrastructure, energy and industrial construction projects.

Toivo Virtanen, who studies Environmental Engineering, was attracted to a summer position at NYAB in spring 2024. The role offered him the chance to work on the Isosuo solar park project in Utajärvi, one of the largest solar parks currently under construction in Finland.

Joonas Salminen, who studied Civil and Municipal Engineering, found his way to the infrastructure sector and NYAB somewhat by chance when it became time to complete a site management internship a few years ago.

The internship opened the door for both Virtanen and Salminen to continue learning on the job after the summer ended. Virtanen has continued working part-time in Utajärvi alongside his studies and has also started his master’s thesis on final inspections during the later stages of the project. Salminen returned to NYAB’s bridge construction sites during subsequent summers, completed his own thesis in collaboration with the company and has continued working for NYAB after graduation in a permanent role.

 

From the classroom to major projects

Working at the Utajärvi solar park, Virtanen has been involved from the beginning of the project and has been given responsibility for significant aspects of the site’s operations.

“When I started, the site was still in its early stages. The ground had been levelled and roads had been built, but otherwise we were starting from an empty field. There is plenty of work to do in renewable energy and climate action, and in the Utajärvi project I have been able to contribute in a very concrete way,” says Virtanen.

His work has included installation and quality supervision, logistics management and cooperation with subcontractors and the client. During the summer, for example, he coordinated logistics for 117 shipping containers of solar panels, ensuring that deliveries matched project specifications.

Salminen, meanwhile, joined a maintenance programme covering dozens of bridges across Lapland during his first summer at NYAB. Most recently, he worked at the Kalliosalmi bridge project in Kemijärvi, where an old bridge was demolished and replaced with a completely new structure.

One of the highlights for him has been seeing large projects take shape and travelling across Lapland from one worksite to another.

“The northernmost bridge project was in Utsjoki. While getting my first experience in site management, I also had the chance to travel through unique landscapes,” he says.

“During my second summer, I joined a larger bridge project in Jokikylä, Oulu, and was given even more responsibility. It was a real wow experience to step onto such a large site for the first time and watch a new bridge being built practically from scratch.”

Strong support and mentoring

Both Virtanen and Salminen agree that the most valuable lessons for their careers at NYAB have come from hands-on experience. They both describe the support and expertise of their colleagues as invaluable in their professional development.

“The more experienced site managers on the project have extensive industry knowledge. They always take the time to explain how things should be done, which creates a real sense of confidence and security at work,” says Virtanen.

“The solar park has been a completely new type of project for all of us. I’ve also been able to bring new knowledge from my studies and share it with more experienced colleagues.”

 

Salminen adds that NYAB’s mentoring programme and his personal mentor, Pekka Juntunen, the project’s lead site manager, have also been a great source of support during his internship periods.

“The aim of the mentoring programme is to help me eventually take on the role of lead site manager myself and assume responsibility for entire construction sites,” Salminen explains.

“Pekka has looked after me and shown me in practice how a project is managed from start to finish. He has taught me the small tricks and insights that come with experience in the construction industry, and I’ve always been able to ask him anything. I’ve never been thrown in at the deep end.”

There is a strong culture of helping one another on site, and no one is left to face challenges alone. According to Virtanen, this attitude is visible throughout the entire 60-person project team.

“The site includes NYAB employees, client representatives and subcontractors. A great example of teamwork is when machinery occasionally gets stuck in the marshy terrain. Everyone comes together to help get it out,” he says.

Growing responsibility builds confidence

Although both Virtanen’s and Salminen’s careers are still in their early stages, they have already been entrusted with significant responsibility.

“There is always help and support available, but in the end the work is quite independent. I’ve had a lot of freedom to decide how to organise my work and manage schedules,” Virtanen says.

This flexibility has also made it easier for him to balance work and studies after the summer period.

“If I have a particularly demanding timetable at university, there is flexibility around working hours. The attitude is that what matters most is getting the work done,” he explains.

Salminen feels that the trust shown by more experienced colleagues has also increased his confidence in taking on greater responsibility.

“At the start of your career, you encounter new things every day. Even so, I now feel more confident taking the initiative and making site management decisions without hesitation. That’s largely because people have trusted me and gradually given me more responsibility.”

What would you say to future summer employees?

Joonas Salminen:

“Start early, ask about opportunities and submit your application. From there, things tend to move forward naturally. The whole process has been straightforward from the very beginning.”

Toivo Virtanen:

“This is a great and supportive place to learn. So welcome, and don’t hesitate to apply. There are plenty of opportunities here!”

Text: Janita Lindström, Duunitori
Photos: Milla Keskipoikela & Seppo Kolehmainen

This article was produced in commercial collaboration with Duunitori.