International atmosphere
I am Annukka Kahila from Jyväskylä. I graduated from the Degree Programme in Facility Management in Spring 2007. I work as a sales representative at Jyväskylä Congress Centre, in Jyväskylä Paviljonki. My main task is to sell meeting services for various companies, taking into account their needs and demands. Each meeting or event is a project of its own, from the first phone call of the customer to the day of the event. I find my job challenging, as it requires accuracy, quick reaction in various situations, good organizational ability, and interesting as each day and customer is different.
Why did you choose the Degree Programme in Facility Management to study?
I didn’t know much about Facility Management before applying. The programme seemed to include a broad range of various studies and I thought that it would provide me with several possibilities and skills needed in different kinds of jobs. In addition, studying in English for 4 years, of which one year abroad, would develop my language skills.
How did you experience the studies abroad?
I studied two unforgettable semesters in the Netherlands, in Hanze University Groningen. Studying there was of high-quality, strict and concentrated on group projects more than on individual studies or exams. We had a lot of free time and few lessons, however, we were supposed to use the time efficiently studying on the group projects.
My studies consisted of Facilities Management and business studies. In addition, I studied Dutch the year through, which provided me with a deeper sight into Dutch culture. In general, I liked the multicultural atmosphere of the Netherlands as well as the local people, after getting used to their outgoingness, directness and humor. There were also plenty of exchange students from all over the world, thus, the atmosphere was international.
Where did you do your practical training periods?
I completed my practical training of 20 weeks in two parts. I returned to the Netherlands to complete the first part of my practical training for a small company called the Housing Office. The company’s operations included providing accommodation for foreign students studying in Groningen and I had been their customer myself in the previous year.
That was the first time for me working abroad, in a foreign company. I found it quite challenging as I had never done such a job before and all my colleagues were obviously native Dutch speaking people. My job description was interesting as I was able to meet many people from different countries and observe and experience how business is managed abroad.
The second part of my practical training period I completed in my hometown working at Jyväskylä Paviljonki, at the information desk. The job was many-sided, hectic and each day was different. The main tasks were naturally customer service, managing meeting assistants, and supervising facilities in the building.
What was the topic of your thesis?
The demanding and interesting topic of my thesis concerned a significant part of facilities management, safety and security. The purpose of my thesis was to evaluate the personal and premises security as well as safety culture at Jyväskylä Congress Centre.
What career plans do you have?
I will stay in Finland and continue to work in my present job for some time now. It is difficult to predict what the future will bring, however, I know I have studied the right degree and continue working in the business.
What would you like to say to the future applicants of the Degree Programme?
Facility Management will provide you with many-sided degree and enables you to work within various fields of business, in diverse jobs. Enjoy your student life and take advantage of the possibilities to study and work abroad as well as improving the language skills.
Jyväskylä Paviljonki
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Degree Programme in Facility Management