Nicholas Whitehurst and Subash are two of Pinja’s non-Finnish employees. They both work in the Forest by Pinja operational area as software developers and enjoy their everyday work. As for leisure, they both praise the Finnish nature, people – and sauna.
Subash is a Nepali-born software developer who originally came to Finland in 2012 for studies at the Oulu University of Applied Science. He started working for Pinja in 2017 through an internship, and a bit later, he graduated from information technology and received a permanent position at Pinja.
Nicholas Whitehurst, originally from the UK, first came to Finland with his family at the age of 16, left the country for 5−6 years, and then came back for studies. Nicholas first completed a degree in Learning, Education and Technology, but then decided to change paths. After completing his web and game development studies at the Turku University of Applied Sciences, he has worked at Pinja as a software developer since September 2020.
Coming from two non-Finnish cultures, both Subash and Nicholas have come to appreciate certain aspects about their employer, the Finnish workplace and Finns as a people.
- Pinja has definitely exceeded my expectations. In my view, I work for a very friendly and helpful employer which also likes to teach its employees. The working environment is very relaxed, and the working hours are flexible, Subash says.
- I agree. I also feel that I have a really nice and understanding supervisor. It’s nice to know that you can always go and ask if you have something on your mind, Nicholas adds.
Software developers work with code and people
Both Nicholas and Subash are software developers, they both work on the Forest by Pinja product, and they both live in Oulu. Getting started in a new job with a new employer and in a culture other than your own can feel intimidating, but ideally, your employer and colleagues help you have a softer landing.
Nicholas readily admits that there was a lot to learn at first. To begin with, he had to take a dive from clearly defined, isolated coding tasks during studies to an extensive existing system with multiple elements that all interact with each other.
- Beforehand, I thought I would mostly need to know about user interfaces, but then I realized that there are also functionalities related to accounting, GPS navigation, and so on. Fortunately, I was allowed to get started with lower-priority tickets and grow into the position. Now I’m happy to say that I’m able to handle higher priority tasks, Nicholas says.
Even though software developers work largely with technology, both Nicholas and Subash say that the best thing about working at Pinja is the people.
Much of both software developers’ everyday work is independent but they coordinate their work and progress with team members and other colleagues on a daily basis. They both design and develop new features as well as update and maintain existing ones. At times, they also communicate directly with customers.
- I like to get in touch with customers every now and then. It helps to know what the customer is actually thinking and that makes the work also easier for me, Subash says.
Even though software developers work largely with technology, both Nicholas and Subash say that the best thing about working at Pinja is the people. They both feel that they have great colleagues and that everyone is very helpful.
- Compared to my native culture, I particularly appreciate the equality and low bureaucracy in Finland. Seniority level is a big issue in Nepal, but in Finland, we all work equally side by side, whether you’re a newcomer or managerial level, Subash notes.
- I find Finns to be very professional in that whenever they say they’ll do something, they are sure to actually do it. They make no empty promises, and this straightforwardness is really refreshing, Nicholas says.
Nature, sauna and sausages
Despite the long dark season during the Finnish winter, Subash and Nicholas have both come to love Finnish nature, atmosphere, and recreation. Subash plays badminton and football, and short distances also allow him to take the bike to work.
- I really like the many beautiful walking trails in Oulu, I enjoy walking in the forest. Over time, even some of the Finnish winter sports have grown on me, Subash says.
Due to his many years in Finland, including high school, Nicholas has accumulated many local friends in the region and enjoys living there.
- The nature trails are great, and so are the many lakes. There’s also nothing quite like cooking sausages over an open fire. And how could I forget – the sauna!
- The sauna, yes! I also have one at home, Subash concurs.
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