Karoliina’s career path at Patria has not been entirely conventional. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Vaasa and spent the first years of her career working first for a large consultancy and then in public administration.

A common thread running through her roles has been risk analysis, project-based work and an international operating environment.
Karoliina began at Patria in risk management. Her experience in analysing geopolitical issues and international operating environments provided a solid foundation for the role, although there was also plenty to learn.

– Perhaps my background was not the most typical for risk management at Patria. However, I have always wanted to step outside my comfort zone and take on new things courageously. You can learn and develop in anything, even if a new role is not exactly what you have done before, Karoliina says.

You can learn and develop in anything, even if a new role is not exactly what you have done before.

Risk management supports project success

Karoliina currently works as Project Development Manager in Patria’s Sustainment Solutions business area, which is responsible for areas such as lifecycle services for military equipment. In addition to Patria’s own projects, she acts as a risk management expert in customer‘s project. related to procurements made from Patria.

– My job is to provide support so that projects progress as planned and achieve their objectives. Risk management is one part of a larger whole.

Recently, Karoliina has been working on, for example, Patria’s vehicle projects for international customers. These also include Patria’s long-term maintenance and support services for the equipment.

– In relation to risk management, projects may involve risks related to technology, supply chains or geopolitics, for example. The most important thing is to identify the key risks early enough and prevent them from materialising. 

The best part is seeing the impact of my own work

For Karoliina, the most rewarding aspect of the job is being able to influence large-scale projects and help them move forward.

– In my role, I have the opportunity to collaborate with many different functions across the organization and drive development initiatives whose impact extends across multiple projects. It is rewarding to see how even small improvements can, over time, create significant benefits that support project success and contribute to Patria's growth.

– The best moments are also when a risk is identified early enough and addressed before it materialises. That is when you can clearly see the concrete impact of your work.

Karoliina feels that working in the defence industry offers an opportunity to influence matters with greater-than-usual societal significance.

– Here, you get to work on things that truly matter. The issues we solve can have very far-reaching impacts.

Working in the defence industry offers an opportunity to influence matters with greater-than-usual societal significance.

Meaningful work brought her to Patria

For Karoliina, the meaningfulness of the work was one of the reasons she applied to Patria. Her previous career had given her experience of both the commercial world and public authorities. At Patria, she saw an opportunity to combine these two perspectives.
As a workplace, Patria has met Karoliina’s expectations. One thing, however, has surprised her.

– There are a huge number of highly skilled people here, particularly in engineering. I am surprised almost every day by how much knowledge and expertise there is in the company, and by the scale of the topics people are working on.

In her free time, Karoliina enjoys exercise in all its forms, including CrossFit and cycling. She is also an off-ice official in ice hockey.

– Exercise is a good counterbalance to work.