From Trainee to Chief Architect
In 2013, while pursuing my university degree, I interned at Nokia, initially working three days a week with a flexible schedule. Over time, I increased my hours and transitioned to a full-time role, marking the start of my 10+ year career at Nokia.
I started as a Software Engineer, focusing on troubleshooting live network issues, implementing fixes, and testing solutions. Additionally, I took on the responsibility of coordinating a team of interns, which included hiring, onboarding, and guiding their day-to-day work.
In 2015, I advanced to the role of Software Specialist, taking on more complex responsibilities, including troubleshooting emergencies in live networks. This role offered opportunities for international travel, including trips to Italy and India.
During an assignment in India, I met a Senior Solution Architect from Finland who became a key influence in my career. Motivated by this experience, I applied for a Solution Architect position in the same team. After a successful interview, I transitioned into this role, where I worked on customer cases across both pre-sales and delivery phases. I also led the development of technology demonstrations, presenting them at global events and gaining the opportunity to travel to locations such as Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, Dubai, and Finland. I had the privilege of attending the Mobile World Congress multiple times, initially as part of the technical staff and later as a presenter.
In 2019, I led a 5G proof of concept project in Japan and was subsequently appointed Lead Architect for the delivery of Nokia’s 5G core solution to one of Japan’s largest mobile operators. This experience further solidified my expertise in cutting-edge telecommunications solutions.
Designing the future of telecommunications
In 2022, I joined Nokia’s Automation R&D team as a Chief Architect, a role I continue to hold today. In my first year, I served as a lead architect in the design of Nokia’s automated core network slicing solution. During this phase, I had the opportunity to represent Nokia at various international events, presenting the solution and engaging with customers to address their needs and feedback.
Once the initial design phase was completed, I shifted focus to Nokia’s Core Software-as-a-Service solution, which was just kicked off at that time. In this role, I have a broad range of responsibilities. I collaborate with customers to design solutions that meet their unique requirements and work closely with Product Management to prioritize and plan feature development. Additionally, I author solution design documents and engage with R&D engineers to discuss and refine these features. I also oversee the delivery process, ensuring that insights and lessons learned during implementation are captured and applied to drive continuous improvement in our solutions.
Exciting projects and opportunities for business travel
I am passionate about engaging with exciting, innovative, and complex projects. These initiatives allow me to invest considerable time learning new technologies while collaborating extensively with product management and other architects. I thrive in the design and planning stages, where strategic discussions and thoughtful problem-solving are essential. Another significant motivator for me is business travel. I love traveling in my personal life, and I actively seek out such opportunities in my professional life as well. Fortunately, challenging projects and business travel often come hand in hand, allowing me to fulfill my professional and personal passions.
Assertiveness in communication is key to success!
My piece of advice for everyone is to develop strong assertive communication skills. It is an essential competency that offers significant benefits in both personal and professional contexts. Assertiveness allows you to express your thoughts, feelings and needs clearly and respectfully, ultimately boosting your self-confidence. When you can advocate for yourself without resorting to passivity or aggression, you cultivate a greater sense of self-worth and improve the effectiveness of your interactions with others. Assertive communication also enables you to present your ideas with clarity, handle feedback professionally, and negotiate effectively. As a result, you will be better equipped to navigate professional environments, whether it's in leading meetings, discussing responsibilities, or advocating for what you rightfully deserve.
It's not the destination, it's the journey
Reflecting on my career, I am proud of several significant accomplishments. I had the privilege of presenting at the Mobile World Congress, the largest event in the telecommunications industry. I led the delivery of a 5G core network and played a key role in designing two innovative products that have been successfully implemented and delivered to customers. However, I consider my most significant achievement to be the relationships I’ve built along the way. I firmly believe that fostering meaningful connections with colleagues holds far greater value than any individual project success.
