Feelings of student of technology from Tampere about first summer in Olkiluoto
Vilma Suontausta, who studies environmental technology at Tampere University, received confirmation of her summer in Olkiluoto already in March. And with the thumbs pointing up, the decision was easy. After all, Vilma had thought already when perusing summer job ads that spending the summer in a nuclear power plant would be a great experience. And looking back now, at about midway through her work period, it certainly is that.
Although Vilma is only a first-year student, she has already acquired a lot of work experience. She has worked in the care sector, in a café, and as an au pair in London. However, the job that she landed this summer is the first one that clearly supports her technical studies.
Olkiluoto came up as a potential summer work place already in discussions within Vilma’s own student guild. She also visited the company’s website to find out more about the summer jobs on offer.
– I instantly thought that this would be a cool place to work. I was really happy when they called me, she says.
Main work completed already
The focus of Vilma’s summer has been the editing of documents prepared by the plant supplier Areva into the format used by the operator, TVO. It was not a small task, as Vilma herself estimates that she has edited several thousands of pages of documents.
The job itself may have been mechanical, but Vilma feels her work has been meaningful.
– This will decrease the work load of the members of my own team significantly from now on. The documents in question require updating on a regular basis. They are needed both in the review of the operating licence and for the safety assessment.
Vilma obviously got the hang of her job since she completed this editing of the documents – defined as her main work task – already at the turn of June and July.
– This made it possible for me to start another task, entering calculation data into spreadsheets. Instead of Word, my tool now is the Excel spreadsheet software program, Vilma points out and adds that she has become considerably more proficient in the use of both tools.
Plants no strangers either
Vilma’s expectations of a “cool work place” have been proven correct.
– I feel my work has been interesting and the work community here in Olkiluoto is really warm and close-knit. I like how I have felt as part of the team from the very first day. I also like how everybody here is easy to approach and talk with each other.
Although Vilma’s work point is in an office in the Central Office Building, she has also had an opportunity to visit the plant units.
– I have been able to visit all the plants, which has been really great. I mean, to see how nuclear power actually works and to learn more also about the plants, she explains her feelings.
The experience has been so good that Vilma does not exclude the possibility of applying for a job in Olkiluoto also next year.
– Absolutely. Apart from my current team, I would also be very interested in the future in tasks related to finances and accounting.
Rent costs zero euros for whole summer
Vilma, who studies in the Hervanta campus in Tampere, was positively surprised of the solution to her accommodation problems. She found a place through the municipality of Eurajoki, as part of a campaign to attract technical students to summer jobs. The costs can be considered quite reasonably, since Vilma has lived in Eurajoki the whole summer for exactly zero euros.
– The place is right in the centre of Eurajoki and the bus to Olkiluoto runs about 10 metres from my door, she boasts.
In addition to walking, Vilma has spent her free time playing padel, for example. The recreation day with her own unit was also a nice experience, giving the inland-girl a sailing experience at sea.
– Another particularly nice day was when some colleagues from Loviisa doing similar jobs came here, she reflects.
The number of days left in this summer is limited. In July, Vilma has a one-week holiday. Although, she will probably spend the week working, as she will head to the Tampere Open tennis tournament where she has promised to work as a line judge. No surprise, then, that her favourite sport is tennis. She also admits being an avid reader.
– I like many different kinds of reading. However, now that I am working, I maybe tend to favour fiction more, says Vilma who admits being a fan of Agatha Christie’s books, for example.
Vilma’s summer work period ends at the end of July after which she plans to take a trip with a friend – probably to Poland.
Text: Ville Kulmala
Pictures: Tapani Karjanlahti