What are your tasks at Ilmatar, what kind of different things and tasks do your working days include?
I work at Ilmatar as a project development manager for solar power projects. I am responsible for advancing the projects assigned to me according to an agreed schedule. My main tasks are related to the permitting of projects and ensuring the necessary land management.
My working days are very varied and include negotiations with landowners and authorities, project coordination and map work. The tasks vary as the project progresses, so it’s nice to have several projects at different stages on my desk. In addition to the more usual tasks, I have also had the opportunity to hold public events, give interviews to newspapers, radio and television, and visit the top of a wind turbine!
How do you like it at Ilmatar? What do you enjoy most about being part of the Ilmatar team?
It surely has been a wild ride! When I started, almost everything related to solar power and project development was new to me and the first months I tried to fast learn the whole process. Since then, everything has started to fall in place and proceed quite smoothly. This is of course thanks to extremely talented colleagues and their invaluable support.
Tell briefly about your career before Ilmatar
I have worked as an ecologist in municipalities, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and Environment (ELY) and most recently at Ramboll. At Ramboll I worked for four years as environmental consultant in various projects related to environmental impact – and Natura assessments, environmental surveys, ecological network planning and GIS. My work has been rotating a lot around finding solutions to retain, enhance and compensate for biodiversity in different land use projects.
What kind of educational background do you have?
I graduated from the University of Jyväskylä in 2015 with a Master of Science degree in ecology and evolutionary biology.
What are the best lessons you have learned during your career?
The most important lesson I have learned is to trust the process – everything will be all right in the end, so why worry too much beforehand. Also focus on things you can have an impact on and do your best. Never assume anything: double-check and keep on pushing forward. Trust your own expertise, but also ask for a second opinion if in doubt.
