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Time as a student is many times unforgettable, but at the same time, studying is very goal-oriented and aiming to find employment after graduation. In today's hectic, changing and international working life, a wide range of skills and competencies are needed more than ever. Important skills and knowledge such as language and communication skills, project management and negotiation skills are gained during the studies.

Gained work experience, relationships and networks that are built already during studies play also a big role when building the future career. Part-time work, summer jobs and various trainee programs are essential, as some of the skills and competencies are acquired through working life. Liisa Antola and Henri Haasala are studying in the Bachelor’s Program in International Business (BScBA Program). They participated in HKScan's "Inspired" Trainee Program this summer.

This year HKScan, a Nordic meat and meals company, launched its first ever International Trainee Program “Inspired” for university students. HKScan’s International "Inspired" Program is one of many great efforts that has been strategically designed to ensure the best start for an exciting career. The company employs approximately 7300 professionals and exports to over 50 countries.

Trainees were placed within specialist functions across different HKScan’s markets

Liisa Antola found the new position in HKScan through her former position. She worked at HKScan in Turku last year before going for exchange. After her exchange when she returned to Finland, she was able to continue working in the company as they offered her a temporary position and she joined HKScan’s trainee program.

'I was working as an Accounting Assistant for 6 months and after that I heard of the “Inspired” trainee program. Because of the international emphasis of the trainee program I asked my manager if I could join the program and be able to receive the opportunity to do a trainee project for the finance department', tells Liisa.

Henri Haasala found the “Inspired” trainee program from LinkedIn last spring and decided to send an application due to the program’s emphasis on internationality and business development. He worked in the Supply Chain Management department for the past summer. His work assignments consisted of data analysis, developing company reporting and solving business cases.

The Inspired program offers summer job opportunities in different locations in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia. Students in the 2018 Trainee Program were placed within specialist functions across different HKScan’s markets, from finance, sales and marketing to product development, supply chain, legal and animal sourcing where carefully designed tasks are provided so students are able to make an immediate impact. Based on the performance and potential fit of the trainee, HKScan is also providing an opportunity for a traineeship abroad for the following summer.

Trainee Program gives an opportunity to use the business know-how gained during the studies

For both Liisa and Henri, summer in the HKScan Trainee program was a great start to their career and opportunity to use the skills and business knowledge gained in Mikkeli.

'For me, I would say that Mikkeli prepared me well to career development. The fast-paced bachelor’s program helped me to stay in the pace of a big corporation and therefore managing multiple large projects was manageable. Furthermore, I would say that flexibility has been the key in being offered these job opportunities', says Liisa.

According to Henri, one of the most valuable assets in the trainee program was certainly the chance to work with top management. 'Presenting your project results to CEO and top management was such a great experience. It showed the importance of the important project topics trainees were assigned. In addition, having a chance to rotate internationally to a different country in the trainee program next summer is such a great opportunity. In case you are even a little inspired, stay tuned for the next chance to apply to the trainee program in next January', tells Henri.