Riikka traded her viola for a career at Finland’s leading data center department
How does it feel to step away from a decade with symphony orchestras to pursue a career in data center projects? Riikka knows. She has taken a highly unusual career path from violist to project manager at Granlund’s data center department. In doing so, she has discovered an environment where everything is possible.
Before she joined Granlund, Riikka Merioja lived and breathed music. After finishing upper secondary school, she studied at the Turku Conservatory. Later, she continued her studies in Germany and completed a diploma degree in music. She then spent the subsequent decade playing the viola in various symphony orchestras.
After her career in classical music ended, she went back to school and ended up doing an internship at Granlund, where she was assigned to data center projects.
Today, Riikka works as a project manager in Granlund’s data center department — which, in its own way, is its own kind of symphony orchestra! Riikka ensures that the diverse data center project teams work in a cohesive manner, that information flows smoothly, and that projects stay on schedule and within the agreed budget.
Riikka, who characterises herself as a systematic and flexible person, has been able to draw on her strengths in her work as a project manager. She points out that flexibility has always gone both ways.
“I appreciate the flexibility here at Granlund. I’ve always been able to discuss things openly, including personal matters, and I’ve felt heard,” Riikka says.
Interested in working in the data center industry?
The data center industry offers employment opportunities and exciting career paths for professionals in electrical engineering, HVAC, industrial operations, construction, architecture, and project management.
When I joined, there were about 30 of us. Now we have over 300 Granlund employees working in data center projects. The department has grown very quickly.
Riikka Merioja, project manager, Granlund
“The data center department has grown very quickly”
Riikka has had a front-row seat to the rapid growth of the data center department. When she joined the organisation as an intern in 2019, the team was fairly small compared to its size today.
“When I joined, there were about 30 of us. Now we have over 300 Granlund employees working in data center projects. The department has grown very quickly,” she says.
Although the department is still male-dominated, Riikka has been pleased to see that data center projects are increasingly attracting women as well.
“We’re seeing more and more women in the data center department. Our group currently consists of seven women and four men,” Riikka notes.
Riikka enjoys being part of an international work community
Today, Granlund is the leading expert company in the Nordic countries specialising in data center design and consulting. As the business has grown, the projects have become larger and more international, and the working language has changed to English.
Riikka enjoys being part of such an international environment.
“We have more than 17 different nationalities in the data center department alone. This diversity is a tremendous asset,” Riikka says.
“A far cry from assembly-line work”
According to Riikka, data center projects are demanding, and the daily life of a project manager is anything but predictable. Every project is unique, and there are no ready-made templates. This keeps day-to-day work varied and helps to maintain motivation.
“The projects are very interesting, and there is always something that I didn’t know before. When you don’t know something yourself, you can ask the neighbouring department for help,” she adds.
“As the project manager, I don’t need to know all of the technical details — I just need to have a good overview. We support and mentor each other between the groups of consultants. Bouncing ideas off one another is often helpful.”
As the project manager, I don’t need to know all of the technical details — I just need to have a good overview. We support and mentor each other between the groups of consultants. Bouncing ideas off one another is often helpful.
Riikka Merioja, project manager, Granlund
The opportunities for professional growth are there if you want them
Riikka feels that she is able to grow at her own pace at Granlund. Training, sparring and support are available, but no one is forced to follow a specific path.
“I started from scratch and have reached this point in a relatively short time. Over time, I’ve learned that I enjoy the project management side of things, and now I get to play to my strengths.”
“It doesn’t matter what your background is, there are always sparring partners here.”
Riikka says that the fast-moving industry and market also inevitably create new kinds of challenges, which are opportunities for continuous learning.
“I believe that anything is possible in this industry. If that’s the kind of thing you like, I think you should give it a go!” Riikka concludes.
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