OP’s Kiitorata programme is a deep dive into the world of technology!

I joined OP’s Kiitorata programme in January without many prior expectations, but excited about the opportunity to be a part of the story of the transforming and bold OP. “Kiitorata”, i.e. a runway, is a word that describes my journey well. As an aeroplane gathers speed on the runway before taking off, so did I swot up information and chart understanding at the beginning of my trainee journey, which eventually allowed me to apply my own skills.

During the journey, I have been able to take part in many kinds of tasks. I have been involved in a project preparing for a change disrupting the entire banking sector by creating a new system architecture. I have also carried out various efficiency measures at the level of my own unit that are aimed at transparency, smooth running of operations and the ability to focus on core duties. Work tasks have varied a lot, which has brought about a wide-ranging perspective on the activities of the Group.

“As an aeroplane gathers speed on the runway before taking off, so did I swot up information and chart understanding at the beginning of my trainee journey, which eventually allowed me to apply my own skills.”

Why should you apply to the programme?

It has been really fascinating to be part of an industry that is at the core of such a huge change. External threats and opportunities create a unique situation where finding a balance between creating something new and meeting the demands is key. There is a good attitude towards duties and work is done diligently. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to hear laughter in the open office and people smile easily. In the queue for the coffee machine, people talk about this and that and deliberate the differences between light and dark roast coffee before returning to work at their computers.

“A proper deep dive into the world of technology provided a challenge, but has ultimately been rewarding.”

I have learned a lot on my journey. A proper deep dive into the world of technology provided a challenge, but has ultimately been rewarding. New tools, systems, an endless jungle of terms and other features of a big house have provided new things to learn and internalise, and the learning will probably never end. I have stepped more and more from the role of a consumer to the other side of the wall, and now understand that changes that seem small to the user require an enormous amount of implementation work in the background. It has been a valuable lesson and, consequently, I am also more forgiving and patient as a consumer. On the other hand, I have also hung on to the old, familiar consumer perspective in everything that I do, because even the best technological implementations aren’t valuable if they do not serve the customer. This approach is also emphasised in all work at OP.

At OP, an independent manner of working is key. In addition to the substance of the work, I have learned a lot about the operating and working methods of a large organisation, its special features and, furthermore, I have learned a lot about myself. Transitioning from a small expert organisation to the huge OP Group has thrown various curve balls from one direction or another, but each situation has been a lesson in one way or another and, now, responding and reacting to rapidly changing situation is already a routine thing. Many may think that, in a large company, the employee will inevitably become just a part of a big machine, but I have learned that, in this respect, your own attitude and mindset go a long way and everyone can affect the meaningfulness of their own work.

The Kiitorata programme has been a great opportunity and the fact that it has ended does not mean the end of the flight for me; instead, the journey will continue, no doubt with some turbulence and, to balance that out, calm and sunny flying weather. I recommend the programme to anyone who is ready to challenge themselves and to learn continuously at one of the most interesting and progressive companies in Finland.

Eerika

Trainee, Digital Banking