From the Visitor Centre to annual outages – Olkiluoto inspired Sanna Tuominen to study engineering

Sanna Tuominen’s career path has not been entirely straightforward. After studying to become a tourism activities organiser, she worked in sales and installation in the security industry for a few years before coming to Olkiluoto. The COVID era made Tuominen think about the future from a new perspective.

– The pandemic put sales work in a very bad spot quite quickly. When I saw a job opening at the Visitor Centre, it felt safe to take it, Tuominen says.

Her work at the Visitor Centre was versatile. She was responsible for practical arrangements, ensuring a smooth experience for visitors and cooperation with various stakeholders.

– The idea was to always give visitors the best possible experience. In case anything was needed, I would try to implement it, Tuominen summarises.

During her years at the Visitor Centre, Tuominen also noticed that Olkiluoto has a fairly strong image. The extent of the international interest in Olkiluoto was even somewhat of a surprise. When hosting visitors, she has met folks from almost every continent.

– I never could have guessed how many people from all over the world come to visit this place. It speaks to the fact that both Olkiluoto and ONKALO® are unique entities whose significance extends far beyond Finland or Europe, she says.

Line of studies fell into place at Olkiluoto

Although Tuominen had been thinking about studying for a long time, the right field finally came to her at Olkiluoto.

– Pretty soon after I landed here, energy engineering became an increasingly important area of interest for me. I believe that this island has had a big influence on that decision, she says.

It did not take her long to get down to it. She was accepted as a student at the Vaasa University of Applied Sciences in autumn 2023. Tuominen, who is pursuing a degree in energy engineering, is nearing the end of her studies. Especially now that she is doing her internship at Olkiluoto, all that is really left is her thesis.
In engineering, she is particularly interested in processes and problem solving.

– I find it interesting to figure out how things work. Even if you come across a difficult problem, you can usually find a solution if you examine the matter thoroughly, Tuominen says, demonstrating true engineering spirit.

Working at the Visitor Centre alongside her studies offered her the opportunity to combine work and studies flexibly.

– The nature of the work was such that I could have my mind on my studies from time to time. It helped a lot, she says.

Juggling multiple responsibilities is something she has become familiar with. In addition to work and studies, Sanna and her spouse’s time has also been taken up by a semi-detached house project and their daughter, who is now 7 years old and in first grade.

– Despite all this, or perhaps precisely because of it, time has passed very quickly, she says, smiling.

Getting to know the entire trio of plants

Tuominen transferred to TVO on 16 March, just in time for the start of the annual outages. After a three-week orientation period, she started as an assistant RP technician for this spring’s annual outages.
The job involves, among other things, swipe sampling, assisting with radiation protection tasks as well as ensuring the safety and cleanliness of work areas.

In the early weeks, the biggest challenges related to navigating the plant.

– You get to know the plant by walking around inside it. It took some time to get a sense of the place as a whole, Tuominen admits.

In her current job, she is particularly fascinated by the physical nature of the work, the strict safety culture and generally becoming acquainted with the plant itself and its various processes.

– It is great to see how the large systems actually work. I also like that instructions are followed very precisely at Olkiluoto. It suits me very well.

The annual outage work has also provided an opportunity to see Olkiluoto from a completely new perspective.

– I have been able to see things that many people never see. When the plant is not running and various components and processes are open, you understand how complex the systems are in a completely different way.

Tuominen’s internship period is fairly long, as her employment contract extends until November. This means that she will also be able to participate in the annual outage of Olkiluoto 3.

– Since I was offered the opportunity, I took it without hesitation. Now I get to see all three plants and their outages in one go, she explains, with excitement.

Continued interest in engineering

In the future, Tuominen wants to continue working in engineering – and very possibly still in the nuclear power sector.

– After graduating, my goal is definitely to find my own place in the field of engineering. Nuclear power still interests me a lot, and I am absolutely also interested in working at Olkiluoto, she says.

In her free time, her day-to-day is taken up by family, studying and working out. Tuominen is also quite goal-oriented when it comes to the latter, as she visits the gym on average five times a week.

Fishing, an interest which was originally sparked by her spouse, is also one of her favourite activities.

– Fishing is absolutely amazing. It has become a really important thing for both me and us as a couple. My spouse and I try to go on a fishing trip to Norway once a year, Sanna says.

However, there will be no trip this summer because of Sanna’s internship.

– I do not even feel bad about it. I am so pleased to have gotten this opportunity, Tuominen says.

Text: Ville Kulmala
Photos: Tapani Karjanlahti