Arttu Seppänen, 22 years old, originally from Pori but now living in Helsinki, is pursuing a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management at Aalto University. He’s heading into his third year of studies this fall, following an interesting summer as a trainee at Steerprop.
“I wasn’t familiar with Steerprop before applying, so I did some research online. The positive experiences shared by previous summer workers really stood out to me — they had been involved in meaningful tasks and genuinely enjoyed working at the company,” Arttu explains. Steerprop definitely lived up to his expectations: ”If you're looking for versatile, meaningful work, Steerprop provides an excellent environment to start your career and develop your professional skills.”
Arttu’s previous experience working in production had taught him valuable lessons about the fast-paced environment of production management. But Steerprop provided a new, exciting challenge in the maritime, an industry he had little prior knowledge of. “The maritime industry, both in Finland and globally, was something I hadn’t really explored. The projects Steerprop is involved in are enormous, both in terms of physical scale and complexity. This became very tangible when I first visited the assembly hall,” Arttu recalls.
Arttu’s summer at Steerprop was filled with learning opportunities. “I set myself a goal to learn something new every week, and Steerprop absolutely delivered on that,” he says. From project planning and resource management to risk assessment and communication with stakeholders, Arttu received a comprehensive introduction to the world of project management processes and practices.
The atmosphere at Steerprop was incredibly welcoming from day one,” Arttu says. “The orientation was well-structured, and I received thorough training for my role. My supervisor and colleagues were always available to help, making the learning process smooth.
The positive work environment and team spirit were an important part of Arttu’s summer experience. “There was a real sense of camaraderie. Everyone valued each other’s contributions, and it motivated me to keep improving. The interaction with fellow summer workers also broadened his perspective on the company’s operations beyond his own tasks,” he says.
Beyond the day-to-day tasks, Arttu was surprised by the sheer length of maritime projects. “The lifecycle of these projects is incredibly long, from initiation to the ship’s launch. It made sense in hindsight, given the number of stakeholders and the complexity of the projects,” he says.
One of the most memorable moments for Arttu was leading his own project for the first time: “I had the opportunity to apply what I’d learned in school and present the strategic importance of recruiting STEM experts for Steerprop’s future competitiveness to the management team.
The summer at Steerprop provided Arttu with valuable insights into project management, and while he enjoyed the experience, he realized he wanted to deepen his understanding of company strategy. Steerprop supported his interest, allowing him to transition to strategy-related tasks this autumn, where he could further explore and contribute to strategic initiatives. In addition, Arttu’s experience has sparked a newfound interest in organizational well-being and agility. “I’m curious about how we can create work environments where people don’t get burned out or feel unwell. It’s something I want to explore further in my studies,” he continues.
As for the maritime industry, although it wasn’t initially on his radar, the summer opened his eyes to the opportunities it offers. “This experience has definitely broadened my horizons, and I’m excited to see where my career takes me,” he concludes.
