Host

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a host at events, in live streams and television broadcasts as well as in videos. I host, for example, reality shows and YouTube videos.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I have always liked performing. I started making YouTube videos early, and already at the age of 11 I became a host for Yle’s Galaxi programme. Through that, new opportunities opened up, and gradually a hobby became a profession. A couple of years ago, I founded my own company because I wanted to expand my activities to event hosting.

Describe your typical working day or week.

I work alongside my studies, so my working days do not follow a regular rhythm. When I have a hosting job coming up, I always meet the client before the event and we go through the course of the occasion.

On the day of hosting, I prepare for the upcoming event already in the morning, for example during breakfast or a morning workout. In addition, I have notes that I go through once more before the event. However, I do not want to prepare too much so that the relaxed nature of hosting is maintained.

On site, I make sure that practical matters are in order, and during the event I handle the agreed hosting tasks. Often, I stay after the event to network.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I do hosting jobs in very different places, such as public spaces, festivals and studios. I do not have regular working hours, but handle things flexibly throughout the day. Events and recordings are, of course, agreed in advance.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

In a host’s work, situational awareness and the ability to react quickly to changing situations are needed. Everything does not always go according to plans, and then the host must be able to keep the whole under control.

In addition, patience is important, as building one’s own career takes time. It is also good to remember that there are many kinds of hosts, and in this profession one can specialise in hosting certain types of events.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best thing about being a host is that I get to create a good feeling for people. It is nice to hear that someone has watched a programme that I have hosted. I also like that the work challenges me and that one can continuously develop and become better.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

The work is not regular, and there is not always work available. A host has to be active all the time and look for new opportunities. In a performance profession, you also have to think about the kind of image you give of yourself in your free time.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a host?

Networking is important, as most new job offers come through it. In performance situations, it is worth being yourself, as it makes performing easier. At the beginning, many rely on a role, but it is good to try to get away from it.

How do you see the future of your profession?

AI-assisted hosting will increase, but I do not believe that it will replace hosting done by humans. Especially in events, the added value brought by a human is appreciated. In addition, I believe that the need for genuine interaction and human presence will increase in the future.