Looking forward to the future
Why did you choose the Degree Programme in Facility Management?
Reijo Rauhala from Helsinki, graduated from the Degree Programme in Facility Management in 2001. I’m working as a real estate manager at Fortum Oyj, one of the leading companies in energy industry in Nordic Countries and around the Baltic Rim. I’m responsible for Property Management and Facility Management services, and assisting the Asset Management operations. In practice, my working days consist of managing the repairs, renovation and maintenance services, space planning & work place design, safety and security issues and general facility management services on the premises - not forgetting sustainability values e.g. green office ambitions. I’m taking care of these tasks together with my team of three service managers. At the beginning the main point was to internationalize myself. In addition the relatively new degree programme inspired and fascinated me. At the time Facility Management was not that well-known business area in Finland yet, however it seemed to gradually gain an increasing interest in real estate business. I decided to be amongst the first to graduate as a Bachelor of Hospitality Management specializing in Facility Management. Now afterwards it’s easy to say that the decision was sensible and worthwhile.
What was best in your studies?
The four-year degree programme offered a wide scale of many good options for the studies. One of the best experiences I can recall was the exchange period abroad; several group works, technical themes and approaching the subjects in a service based manner. It was also useful to study in a double degree programme and to get the diploma both in Finland and in the Netherlands.
Where did you do your practical training periods?
I completed my first training period at a hotel in Germany; the purpose was familiarize myself with the services of hotel business. The second training period I did as a Finance Manager at the administration section of a production unit in the Finnish Defence Forces. The work contained many variable elements related to Facility Management, for example budgeting, personnel administration, cleaning, catering, repair and maintenance services, internal accounting, safety and security issues.
Did you study abroad?
In autumn 1996 I went to Hanze University Groningen in the Netherlands. It was definitely worthwhile to get that experience and my feelings of the studies were very positive and my language skills developed remarkably. An international student community created an altered environment for the studies and free time. The study methods were partially different from the Finnish methods, which was also interesting to note. Overall, the period was truly an educative experience.
What was the topic of your thesis?
The title of my thesis was “Information Technology in Service Process”. In the thesis I studied and described how information technology can be used in service production and which way this can support and lead the service processes.
What career plans do you have?
Perhaps it’s too early to say much about the future, as I have been working at Fortum for under a year. However, I feel more and more attracted to asset management or to transaction business in real estate field. . .but let the future show!
What would you like to say to the future applicants/students of the Degree Programme in Facility Management?
Choosing Facility Management will give you exceedingly good readiness to face the challenges of an ordinary day in service management. Service orientation, creative attitude and innovation ability are the key words for a successful career. A career in real estate business is a noteworthy option of the future. Property owners will always need well educated specialists to take care of the user services and of the maintenance and the administration. Real estate business offers also plenty of opportunities to gain more qualifications by doing additional certified examinations for professional competence. Have a joyful time with your studies – good luck and a lot of success!
Fortum Oyj
Read more
Facility Management