A technical architect building his own career with enthusiasm
Aktia's Technical Architect Jukka Tykkyläinen describes himself as someone who gets easily excited. Whether it is a question of new technology, a system update or mentoring co-workers, Jukka lights up. Jukka has worked at Aktia for 6 years in total. His career has always been determined by his own interests.
The hunger for advancing his career steered Jukka from an IT consultant to a permanent Aktia-employee.
Jukka's career in information technology started in middle school from his interest in computer games. He had an easy task choosing the study programme at the university in Jyväskylä. The studies went well, but Jukka felt soon that work motivated him more than studies. “My work swallowed me. I felt that I can truly increase my own skills in a working environment and that really motivates me”, Jukka remembers.
Jukka, who initially worked as an IT consultant found his way to Aktia in 2013 through a co-operation project. The project was extended to a 2.5-year co-operation where the basic banking system was renewed. Eventually Jukka transferred from the consulting firm to Aktia and took on the role of Senior Systems Developer in October 2015.
”I wanted to advance in my career and build a new kind of development path for my own competence and expertise.”
“Transferring to Aktia was a conscious and controlled decision. I knew that the bank's working environment was interesting, the colleagues excellent and the transfer to the inhouse-side would open up new opportunities. I wanted to advance in my career and build a new kind of development path for my own competence and expertise”, says Jukka. He packed up the rest of his things and moved permanently from Jyväskylä to Helsinki to start working at Aktia’s headquarters.
Personal kicks from hands-on working and learning new things
After the system renewal Jukka found a slightly different role within the company. At the moment he is concentrating especially on creating and carrying out connections between the business and IT in the definition of development projects. You could say that Jukka acts as an interpreter between the different interest groups of the bank.
”Personally, I get my kicks from tight deadlines and active working. I feel that I in this role can influence the development of many issues in the right direction.”
“We are creating a digital entity that is meaningful and central for Aktia's development. Our work is dynamic, we outline and delegate work between the teams and make small decisions all the time. Personally, I get my kicks from tight deadlines and active working. I feel that I can influence the development of many issues in the right direction”, says Jukka.
“I have noticed that I am also constantly learning something new. The level of difficulty and extent of the projects vary almost daily. I have the most high-class co-workers ever”, he continues.
”We are investing in self-development and training. We are constantly taking new technology into use and we recommend using time for training.”
Learning new things is also carried out through training. The IT department's business culture has been developed and an even stronger focus is put on competence: “We are constantly taking new technology into use to produce smart and efficient solutions. We are recommended to use time for developing our own competence and for training. I have also participated in our internal mentoring programme and shared the things I’ve learned also with others”, Jukka explains.
Career dreams coming true – Jukka takes on the role of technical chief architect
“When technical skills and good interaction skills meet, it is possible to advance higher and higher. It is worthwhile to outline the direction of your own career and communicate it forward. Here you can advance in the direction you want”, says Jukka
”A great feeling! Just a few years ago I couldn’t have guessed that I would advance this fast to a position, which in more ways than one is the culmination of my goals.”
Jukka works as a technical chief architect – a role Aktia has never had before. He is taking responsibility for the development, advancement and implementing the overall strategy of Aktia’s technical architecture in co-operation with other architects.
“A great feeling! Just a few years ago I couldn’t have guessed that I would advance this fast to a position, which in more ways than one is the culmination of my goals. Sometimes I feel a bit pressure of how I will cope in such a demanding role which is new also for the organisation. I believe, however, that renewal is a victory both for Aktia and myself”, Jukka says.