Environmental specialist
"The best thing about my work is that I can participate in the development of matters that affect forest nature and timber procurement. I feel that I have succeeded when I manage to progress development or help people and when I receive praise for the work I have done."
- Lena-Kajsa Vainonen
- Environmental specialist at UPM.
- Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Forestry from the University of Helsinki.
- Six years of work experience.
Briefly explain what you do for a living.
I work as an environmental specialist at UPM Forest. I'm responsible for coordinating UPM Forest’s chain of custody certification and the forest certification group. Chain of custody certification refers to the requirements set for the responsibility and sustainability of forest use, the fulfilment of which is assessed annually by an external party. The verification of the chain of custody of wood ensures that it originates from a certified forest. The forest certification group consists of private forest owners who have joined a group certificate managed by UPM to reduce their administrative burden. In my work, I coordinate matters related to forest certification and try to develop related activities, prepare instructions and provide guidance and training in environmental matters.
How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?
I have always been interested in nature, but I also wanted to study finance. Forest economics combines these two interests, and I ended up studying it in 2013. I became interested in forestry during my studies when I realised that training in the field could lead to many types of work. I got my first job in forestry in 2018 and since then I have wanted to learn new things about the forest environment.
Describe your typical working day or week.
The working day begins with checking my calendar and emails. I first handle the most urgent matters and then move on to meetings. There are usually a couple of meetings a day. The rest of the time I use for independent work. I prepare presentations, write and correct instructions and plan how the activities could be developed.
What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?
My work is mainly office work. In the summer season, I visit forests, for example, to conduct internal audits, which means assessing the fulfilment of certification requirements. I can also work remotely, which makes my daily life easier.
My working hours are mainly between 8 am and 4 pm, but sometimes we have to be flexible about this.
What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?
Knowledge of the basic functions of the forest industry, such as wood procurement, is helpful. It’s also a good idea to know the requirements of forest certification and the Forest Act, but the work will further strengthen this competence. A solution-centred approach and good interaction skills are important in this profession. In the forest or in a large organisation, things don’t happen in an instant, so a long-term approach is also needed.
What is the best thing about your profession?
The best thing about my work is that I can participate in the development of matters that affect forest nature and timber procurement. I feel that I have succeeded when I manage to progress development or help people and when I receive praise for the work I have done.
What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?
Most of my work is versatile and enjoyable. Issues related to the forest environment evoke great emotions in people, so sometimes there is negative feedback. Criticism against a person feels really unpleasant, and I would prefer the feedback to be directed at the organisation.
What would you tell a person considering the profession of an environmental specialist?
The forest industry is often seen as a very traditional sector focusing on the acquisition and processing of wood. However, there are many different kinds of tasks available in the field, and specialists from different fields of science are needed. For example, environmental specialists may come from different educational backgrounds, such as environmental sciences, forest sciences or biology.
How do you see the future of your profession?
There is a growing need for environmental and responsibility competence in the forest industry, as more and more legislation is passed in the field. Solutions are also being developed to adapt to climate change and to maintain and improve biodiversity. In general, I think that the forest industry has a bright future, as it produces renewable raw materials that can replace fossil fuels, for example.