Intern Hamza Ahmad: "Communications work in Finland is super systematic"

The adult education centre offered a variety of internship options, but Ahmad was hoping to find a place in his own field. He has previously worked as graphic designer in marketing agencies. After about forty internship applications, he found a suitable position at TAMK. 

– I was super enthusiastic! It was exciting to see how Finnish working life works and how people communicate here, Ahmad says.

Working in the communications team was new to Ahmad.

– Working at TAMK is super systematic. The work atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. In Pakistan, working life could be compared to first aid, where unexpected tasks come at a constantly hectic pace.

Ahmad felt very welcome in the team, and he got help whenever he asked. His duties included, among other things, designing brand gifts, making graphic presentations, making magazine advertisements, photographing the management team and events, and assisting in events.

His colleagues describe Hamza as talented and adaptable.

– Hamza is friendly, efficient and motivated. He accepted all assignments with an open mind and is a quick learner. He received feedback very constructively and dared to express his own opinion when it was needed. Hamza jumped into the team as if he had always belonged to it: heartily considering everyone and offering his help. He navigated a work culture that was strange to him nicely, says graphic designer Heini Pääkkönen.

– Hamza is a professional and full of ideas. He has been active himself and has been a great help in the team in every way. It's been nice to work with Hamza – his sunny smile is contagious! continues Minttu Rantanen, the team's other graphic designer.

Diversity is in everyone's interest

The team's supervisor, Communications Manager Anna-Maria Balk, was a little nervous beforehand about how the informal style and low hierarchy of Finnish working life would feel to a newcomer. 

– We haven't had a trainee from integration course in our team before, so I was curious and open-minded about Hamza's arrival. However, Hamza showed a relaxed attitude, a very good can-do attitude and a strong work ethic from the very first days, Balk says.

Balk encourages other teams to participate in the integration of international talents. 

– Hamza's training gave us a lot. Not only did we get some much-needed extra help for graphic work, but we also gained a new understanding of both a different culture and how universal communication and marketing work is, after all, all over the world. I hope that our cooperation with Hamza will continue in the future.

32-year-old Ahmad lives in Tampere with his Pakistani wife. He enjoys cooking and is a passionate DOTA 2 video game player with his Pakistani group of friends.

Dreaming of his own marketing agency

Working at TAMK taught Hamza Ahmadi a super-systematic way of working.

– I've learned a lot about communication. Communication is the backbone of everything. Working at TAMK has been really fun.

The integration course at the adult education centre will end at the turn of the year. 

– I'm currently looking for a full-time job and I'm following open positions in graphic design. In addition, I am interested in the frontend development of websites. In the future, I may also find some work at TAMK.

Ahmad likes to challenge himself. In his free time, he has designed, for example, an online store for a Pakistani women's clothing store. 

– Even if I don't know how to do something, I say to myself: okay, let's try it. I dream of starting my own marketing agency within five years.