Maija Iivonen started by seeking jobs for her friends and ended up working in Employment Services

When Iivonen was younger, she studied business administration and worked in the commercial sector. She liked the social aspects of her work but knew that what she really wanted was to work in social services.

– I have been browsing online ads for jobs, housing and holiday cottages for years, just for fun. I had no intention of buying a holiday house, and I sent most of the suitable job and housing ads on to my friends. I have indeed found apartments for friends.  I still send information about jobs and housing to those of my friends who have been laid off or who want to change jobs.

It's great when you can find a solution to the client’s situation

Most of the jobseekers Maija Iivonen meets are still international clients. She also sees clients with a Finnish background aged over 30 who are entering the labour market and those aged over 55 who are covered by extended transition security.

Transition security refers to support measures provided jointly by the employment authorities and the employer when an employee is dismissed for production-related or economic reasons.

– I find the new transition security system interesting, and my work is challenging: it involves planning and thinking about the future together with the client. In general, it's great when you can find a solution to the client’s situation.

– My work consists of various meetings with clients and office work in turn, which I can partly schedule myself. Guidelines and rules have a major impact on my work. Despite this, it's sufficiently social, independent and varied for my diversity-seeking nature.

Iivonen believes that her own career, which has had its twists and turns, is useful when she meets different clients.

The amount of positive feedback was a surprise

Iivonen can work from her home in Koivistonkylä some of the time, which makes the daily life of a family with young children easier. This spring, she is studying for a service designer qualification under an apprenticeship agreement. Conveniently, Tampere Adult Education Centre organises the contact days of the studies near Iivonen’s home in Nirva.

Iivonen has fitted in well with her work community of some twenty employees over the past six months.

– We do a lot of teamwork. In practice, you cannot do your job without going to your colleagues with questions from time to time. I also like it when people ask me questions.
Iivonen collaborates across unit boundaries with other municipalities in the region and, to some extent, with colleagues at International House Tampere. The transition security team also consists of people from the municipalities in the region.

– The amount of positive feedback I have received from clients has taken me by surprise. They are grateful for our services. They realise that we are here to help them along, not to put obstacles in their path.

Playing board games relieves stress

Maija Iivonen was not familiar with Kangasala town centre before she took on her current job. She used to – and still does – drive past it on the way to her birthplace in Joutseno.

When old friends from her old neighbourhoods or elsewhere come for a visit, Maija always heads for the board game café with them. Iivonen says she often also goes there to play board games with her friends who live locally.

– Playing games is a good way to relieve stress, because it stops you from thinking about everyday things. When my workplace made a decision to visit the familiar board game café on its wellbeing at work day, with no involvement on my part, I had no objections whatsoever.