Henna’s story: From national defence to behind the stage and the exacting world of audits

During my master’s studies, I focused on organisational communications. I graduated in 2015, and I’ve since had the privilege of solving a variety of communication challenges in a wide range of organisations. Although I discovered my career path by accident, it ended up being the perfect choice.

First experience in central government communications

I was still working on my master’s thesis when I secured my first communications traineeship in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I remember being so enthusiastic about working on really important communications tasks. It was only later in my career that I realised that those days of my first internship were filled with important but rote copy-paste assignments. 

However, my traineeship still proved valuable. I learned a lot about how large organisations communicate, the importance of accuracy and vital basic skills, and I got to see how versatile the field of communications can be. In addition, my traineeship proved to be a good springboard for my future career.

Rapid career development – from trainee to sector manager

After the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, I was offered a traineeship at the National Defence University. I hadn’t previously thought of myself as being particularly gung-ho about defence, but once I started working in that field, I was hooked. Their precise “honour, honour” mentality certainly had an impact on me – for example, everyone would arrive to meetings a few minutes early, and almost never late. Their events and festivities, which were a fairly frequent occurrence, always started in style with the University’s flag being marched in.

Once my six-month traineeship was about to end, I was offered the opportunity to continue as a project worker for the renewal of their website. This started my career at the National Defence University, which progressed rapidly over the couple of years I was there. After my stint as a project worker, I was hired as a public affairs officer.

One of my greatest achievements was when my then-supervisor, who was about to go on study leave, suggested that I serve as their substitute as information officer and head of department. While I had accumulated some knowledge about the organisation and communications in general, these positions were completely new to me. However, being chosen as their substitute meant that I was considered a trustworthy and skilled employee who can manage any situation, even when thrown into the deep end.

While my career at the National Defence University lasted only two and a half years, I learned a lot in that time. Both my skills and career advanced like never before. The National Defence University was a great place to work, and every now and then, I catch myself missing the discipline and rigour of the Finnish Defence Forces.

The magic of the stage – and the reality behind the curtain 

When my last tenure as a substitute at the National Defence University ended, it was time to look for new challenges. Somewhat surprisingly, my search led me to a completely new environment, in terms of both its contents and location. I ended up moving 600 kilometres north after being hired as a communications planner at Oulu City Theatre.

I was immediately taken by the world of the stage. The first major production that I participated in was My Fair Lady, and while I can still recall its magnificent choreography and songs, I was also moved deeply by the theatre’s smaller productions and touching dramas. 

The cyclical nature of Oulu City Theatre’s premieres changed my approach to work. While the National Defence University focused on planning out the entire year, life behind the stage is faster-paced and subject to the whims and schedules of each project. However, the most significant difference was that I was solely responsible for all of the theatre’s communications. I had the opportunity to prepare communication and social media plans while also developing the theatre’s external communications as a whole. This meant that I had more responsibility and independence, which helped develop my decision-making and creative planning abilities. 

Like at the National Defence University, I was asked to work on Oulu City Theatre's new website – it seems that I’m destined to work on websites no matter where I go! In addition to my new communication tasks, working for the theatre taught me a great deal about creativity, working with different personalities, and diverse communication opportunities.

Although the theatre world was creative and rewarding, the work was not all glamour. The coronavirus pandemic dealt a major blow to the arts sector, and the pace of the work, combined with other stressful factors, ultimately led to burnout. So, after three and a half years, it was time for a change of scenery.

Communicating about numbers and figures in the world of auditing 

I ended up returning to the south and again to a completely new communication environment, namely auditing. Although I knew nothing about audits, I was soon enamoured by this subject as well. Most people consider auditing a dull and serious subject, but I've strived to use my talents as a communications specialist to highlight its vivid and attractive features. I’ve also been able to utilise the creativity I learned while working for the world of theatre in my current work.

I’ve worked for the Finnish Association of Authorised Public Accountants for three and a half years now. I’ve been able to make significant contributions to promote the image and attractiveness of the sector, especially through our collaboration with higher education institutions. Of course, I’ve experienced my share of highs and lows over the years. My closest colleague has changed several times, and I’ve also had to occasionally work alone for months and handle the workload of two people. 

In spite of these eventful years, or perhaps because of them, I’m grateful for everything that I’ve learned so far through my work and my contributions as an employee. Our small but efficient communications team has allowed me to gain extensive experience in internal communications, communicating to our members, planning events, and collaborating with higher education institutions. Each of these areas is valuable, and I’ve learned a great deal about the practical aspects of the field as well.

Versatility is what keeps you going 

Throughout my career, I’ve been able to develop the social media approach of different organisations, especially on Instagram. At the National Defence University, I was able to double their follower number, and in my current position in the world of auditing, I’ve launched and been fully responsible for the organisation’s Instagram account. I’m particularly proud of our 500+ follower count, as auditing is not necessarily the most hot-button issue on social media.

Today’s working life is hectic, and the communications sector in particular is in a constant state of evolution. This means that my work is rife with richness as well as challenges. As cliché as it may sound, no day is the same in the world of communication. The field is versatile, and I encounter new situations daily, which makes my work meaningful and rewarding.

After experiencing burnout, I’ve learned the importance of setting my own limits and learning to say no. Nowadays, I pay a lot of attention to my physical and mental health. The best way to recover is by training at the gym or by immersing myself in handicrafts. Sometimes, when I feel like I’m spinning a few too many plates at once, the best way to calm down is to close all my smart devices, grab a good book, and focus on reading.

While the basics of communication – providing information, producing content, creating communication plans – are often the same everywhere, what really brings meaning and variation are the topics, target groups, and sometimes content styles of each workplace. For example, in the world of audits, communication is a very fact-of-the-matter, sometimes rigid process, whereas the world of theatre focuses more on creativity and conveying the atmosphere of a performance. Each environment requires a unique approach, which keeps the work fresh, motivating, and multi-dimensional.

Wisdom through experience

My advice to anyone starting their career is to pay attention to their mental and physical health. It’s also important to strive for the things you truly enjoy. In addition, I recommend stepping outside your comfort zone, as that’s the best way to gain new experiences and insights.

Hard work, a willingness to learn, and an enthusiastic attitude can take you far in life. Sometimes life can bring its own surprises, and being in the right place at the right time can open up new, surprising paths, both in and outside the workplace.