Bringing Industrial Engineering studies to life – Janne Taskinen gained experience at Metsä Tissue in Slovakia

Janne Taskinen is in the final stages of his studies in Industrial Engineering and Management at the University of Oulu. Alongside his studies, he has been actively building his work experience in the field and, in the summer of 2024, had the opportunity to work at Metsä Tissue’s factory in Slovakia. Metsä Tissue is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of tissue paper products for the home and households and one of the world's leading manufacturers of greaseproof paper products. It is a part of Metsä Group, a Finnish forest industry group that operates in international markets with a strong focus on sustainable forestry and responsible business practices.

"I was looking for a summer job when I came across Metsä Tissue’s posting, which mentioned opportunities to work abroad. The idea immediately intrigued me," Janne recalls. "I was open to going to any of their international sites, but Slovakia caught my interest precisely because I knew nothing about the country. I figured it would be a chance to experience something new!"

Studies and summer job – A perfect match

Metsä Group offers diverse career opportunities for professionals across various fields — both for seasoned experts and promising young talents. Janne appreciated the variety in his work and the freedom to shape his own tasks.

"No two days were the same. My job involved a lot of interesting problem-solving, analytical thinking, and developing new solutions. I was also given a great deal of independence — I had the chance to decide what to focus on and where I could be most helpful," he explains.

In Janne’s Industrial Engineering and Management program, the focus is on improving productivity, quality, and workplace well-being through sustainable practices. The interdisciplinary degree at the University of Oulu teaches students to analyze complex systems and develop innovative, sustainable solutions for organizations. Janne found that his studies and his summer job at Metsä Tissue complemented each other perfectly. Concepts he had learned in the classroom — such as lean thinking — became tangible in a real work environment.

"During the summer, I learned how to apply theory in practice. My studies and work together have also helped me develop essential skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and self-direction. Communication skills were especially important in Slovakia since we didn’t always share a common language," he notes.

Janne highly recommends Metsä Tissue as a workplace for students from different fields.

"It’s an incredibly versatile workplace, and within such a large company, there are so many different opportunities to explore," he adds.

Metsä Tissue also stands out to him as an attractive option after graduation. With so many career paths available, he prefers to keep his future open-ended rather than committing to a fixed plan.

"I don’t want to lock myself into a rigid career path. I’d rather keep my options open and make decisions based on the opportunities that arise. But first, I’m going to finish my studies properly!" Janne concludes.

Interested in a summer job at Metsä Group?

Metsä Group is shaping the future of sustainable business with a focus on wood and fiber expertise, producing top-tier products in its field. The company offers diverse and responsible summer job opportunities, complete with competitive pay and excellent insights into the future of industry. You’ll have the chance to apply your studies and deepen your skills in fields like engineering, business, or IT.

Come meet the Metsä Group team and explore their products and innovations at the Career Centre on the University of Oulu’s campus on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Fluency in Finnish is not required for all summer positions, as Metsä Group strives to offer opportunities for international students as well.

Learn more about the event and Metsä Group’s summer job opportunities!