Becoming a better communicator day by day

The first month of my three-month university internship is nearly complete. I started the internship at the end of May at the Kerttu Saalasti Institute at the University of Oulu. My tasks mainly involve various forms of communication, but later in the summer, I will also get to work on development.
Yliopistoharjoittelija Marge Ollila

I am studying in the Multidisciplinary Master's program in Communication at the University of Vaasa, focusing on Organizational Communication. The communication studies I have completed in Vaasa have been very theory-oriented, so I was extremely excited and honored to hear that I would get to practice diverse communication in practice over the summer. Since my studies are so theory-based, the role of summer jobs and internships in my learning and future employment becomes more significant.

At the Kerttu Saalasti Institute, I have already had the opportunity to be involved in many things. In addition to the institute's work, I have, for the first time, gotten a glimpse into the world of national projects. The Kerttu Saalasti Institute is involved in several projects, in which communication, led by Minna Kilpeläinen, also participates. Minna, an experienced professional, is my internship supervisor.

So far, I have been able to plan and create social media content, do video editing, photography, and text content. Additionally, I have observed webinar production and podcast recording. Apparently, I will even get to create my own podcast episode, which is exciting! It is great that I can develop myself in areas of communication where I already have some experience. However, even more valuable at this point in my career is the opportunity to try completely new things, such as making a podcast. In the field of communication, diverse skills are highly valued, so while it is good to have solid expertise in certain areas, I believe that as a student, it is a privilege to have at least some experience in various forms of communication.

I have been interested in audio content and event production for a long time. It is not only exciting but also very inspiring that this summer, I will be able to closely follow and participate in podcasts, webinars, and SuomiAreena, which is a societal discussion festival in Pori, Finland. I am glad that I get to work as an intern this summer; my job title alone gives me permission to practice. I am not an expert yet, nor do I need to be. I practice, learn, and improve day by day, becoming a better communicator.

Author:
Marge Ollila, university intern, University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, Organizational Communication student