At the beginning of September, my brat summer turned effortlessly into a brat autumn at the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) inside the green walls of Lapinrinne. Although I was very nervous about starting the internship, I soon realised how smoothly the autumn would go thanks to the expert orientation and the warm reception I had. Now that the internship is ending, I am really glad that I applied for this place in June!
During my internship, I have been able to perform a wide variety of communications tasks. The proofreading of texts, creation of visualisations and updating of websites became routine during the autumn. Although Adobe programs very quickly raise your blood pressure, the content of the internship has been very educational and satisfying.
During the internship, I also learned a lot about event communications. Drawing up a communications plan no longer sounds as scary as it did three months ago, and clicking the button for posting on Instagram is not nearly as nerve-wracking as it used to be. Learning the magic of the laminator, vandalising the courtyard of Aalto University with signposts and networking on the Dynamo terrace have also been very rewarding experiences in SYL’s autumn events.
The internship at SYL has been a great introduction to the world of work in my own field. My skills have been trusted since the very first day, and my professional confidence has grown fast during the autumn. I have been able to create my own kind of content during the internship (for example, my personal goal of yassifying internal communication at SYL has been very successful) and I have been free to be myself in the work community.
I would particularly like to thank the communications sector, of course! It has been wonderful to be looked after by Antti and Irja during the internship. Our team has always helped me, provided peer support and raised my spirits when I have needed it. Go team!
The daily discussions and laughter at Lapinrinne have been the best part of everyday work during this autumn! The work community has embraced me since day one, and it is difficult to imagine a workplace that would receive you more warmly. While sitting in the lounge[SA1] , it has been easy to focus on writing posts about the Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey as well as on discussing the trendiness of corduroy, looking at baby pictures and having a political debate.
I will definitely miss the brat walls of Lapinrinne as well as all the communications projects and friends at work. However, if I had to sum up the past autumn in just three words, they would be tasty, warm and joyful.
Kiitos, tack, thank you!
