Olli Suomi
Turning curiosity into a career
Career story of Olli Suomi
Educational background: A natural interest in electrics and automation
Olli Suomi works as one of Auramarine’s Research and Development Specialists at the company’s office in China. His career started off with his studies in Electrics and Automation within a double degree together with Finnish high school. Additionally, he began studying mechanical engineering in the Turku University of Applied Sciences, but had to pause the studies, once he moved to China. When asked why he chose to study electrics and automation, Olli remarked that ‘he realised before starting the programme that it was clearly of interest and he already knew something, due to having always been eager to dabble with electrics’.
Hands-on from the start: Early work experience and a unique military role
During his upper secondary studies, the summers Olli spent working as an instrument technician, assembling medical screening equipment. Later he also began as a trainee during his studies, where he worked as an automation technician, automating wrapping machines and initialising them. This after completing the Finnish military service proceeded into full time employment.
During his time in the military service, Olli took on a specialty position with a certification which required past experience and worked as an 3D modeller for the Finnish defence forces, creating a virtual training environment, which gave him a unique and different understanding of electrics and automation. After that he returned to his prior company and continued to work as an automation service technician, which included the maintenance of production equipment. And then Olli joined Auramarine.
New challenges and new continent: Starting at Auramarine
After the finalising of a bigger project at his previous workplace, there seemed to be a time for a new step. The position at Auramarine posed an intriguing challenge and when a head-hunter contacted him and his friend told about what it’s like working at Auramarine, it seemed like the right moment to jump in.
At Auramarine, Olli has now worked for around 5 years, first starting off as an Automation designer, designing, developing, initialising and maintaining equipment. After few years, Olli moved from Finland to China onto an R&D specialist, where he in addition to doing similar tasks as previously, he also now gets to work more with hands-on automation. Furthermore, as an R&D specialist, Olli also is more in contact with customers and Auramarine life cycle services.
Auramarine as a platform for development and international experience
As a place of development in one’s career, Olli describes Auramarine as a place where there is a lot of opportunities and want to develop people in their careers. Also, there being the possibilities to try out new paths within the same company and having a supportive group of colleagues. He enjoys working at Auramarine also because of this uplifting and encouraging working atmosphere. Even though Auramarine Europe and Auramarine Asia, in two continents, he states that there still is a united positive atmosphere at the company. Auramarine also provides an opportunity to work internationally especially with the two offices, and in a very every-day setting as well. At Auramarine there is an opportunity to see and learn internationally. Additionally, Olli says that the employment benefits Auramarine offers, also proves an edge in the employer.
Free time with full throttle: Extreme hobbies with a technical twist
In his free time, Olli also likes to jump into challenges and work around electronics and automation: he does base jumping, sky diving and builds equipment including own altimeters. He also likes to build vehicles and other mechanical things, as well as do other exercise to support his other hobbies.
No boring days: Finding meaning in challenge and variety
His journey at Auramarine Olli described as eventful. There hasn’t been a boring day, and there is always the opportunity to see and experience new things, especially when visiting customers. Being able to help the customer when needed and develop the product, makes the work not only interesting but also meaningful. There does not seem to be a position where all the days would be the same. While Olli does not have a set plan for his career in the future, he would more like to develop in his current position and maybe become an expert at some point. Finding new solutions and developments for products has been his thing.
Olli’s career advice: Openness and teamwork
As advice on how to advance in one’s career, Olli says that openness and interest towards challenges is vital. Taking on the challenge with a keenness to solve them, working as a team and asking for help if needed.
