{"id":13023,"date":"2024-10-09T11:10:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T08:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/?p=13023"},"modified":"2024-10-09T12:00:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T09:00:29","slug":"insights-and-opportunities-at-the-oulu-ict-career-gateway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/news\/insights-and-opportunities-at-the-oulu-ict-career-gateway\/","title":{"rendered":"Insights and Opportunities at the Oulu ICT Career Gateway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The “Career Gateway\u2014 Oulu ICT Sector” event, hosted by Oulun Osaamiskeskus\u2014Oulu Skills Centre<\/strong> and ICTOulu<\/strong>, was a successful gathering on October 8, 2024. Over 80 participants attended, eager to learn from industry leaders about the latest trends and opportunities in Oulu’s dynamic ICT sector. The speakers offered valuable insights and practical advice for job seekers and professionals alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s review the highlights of the event and consider the importance of networking and community in today’s fast-paced tech world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome by Niina Heikkinen, BusinessOulu<\/sub><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Niina Heikkinen<\/strong> began the evening by offering a warm welcome to all attendees. She discussed the challenges of navigating today’s job market, highlighting the importance of actively engaging in networking to build meaningful connections. Niina encouraged participants to seek out new relationships, as they can often lead to unexpected opportunities. Furthermore, she stressed the significance of continuous learning, urging everyone to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies discussed during the event. Additionally, Niina reminded participants to be kind to themselves during the job search process, emphasizing the need to recharge and approach opportunities with renewed energy. Niina’s insights set a motivating tone for the evening, reinforcing the idea that building connections and learning are integral components of personal and professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry Overview by Jussi Leponiemi, BusinessOulu<\/sup><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next, Jussi Leponiemi <\/strong>provided a compelling overview of Oulu’s growing prominence as a global leader in technology. He discussed the city’s unique innovation ecosystem, which integrates startups, established companies, and research institutions, driving advancements in fields like 6G<\/strong>, digital twins<\/strong>, semiconductors<\/strong>, and AI<\/strong>. Jussi emphasized the increasing international significance of Oulu, particularly with the establishment of the NATO Center of Excellence<\/strong> (NATO CoE), which positions the city at the forefront of both global security and cutting-edge technology development. He encouraged attendees to explore the wealth of career opportunities Emerging in Oulu’s ICT sector, highlighting the critical role of dual-use technologies<\/strong> and the transformative impact of AI on business processes across various industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Job Market Insights by Matti Timonen, OP Financial Group<\/sup><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Matti Timonen<\/strong> from OP Financial Group<\/strong> shared valuable insights into the major digital transformation occurring within the banking sector. He discussed the shift from legacy mainframe systems to modern cloud solutions, emphasizing the adoption of Microsoft Azure as a primary platform for improved scalability and security. Matti highlighted the growing demand for expertise in Kubernetes and containerization technologies, as well as the evolving role of data management. He also noted that artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into OP\u2019s platforms, enhancing task automation and decision-making processes. Encouraging participants to explore career opportunities at OP, Matti reassured them that the organization values diverse skill sets, welcoming talent from various backgrounds, and emphasizing that English is the primary language used in their ICT operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talents and Tips for Job Seekers by Marko Taponen, Boogie Software<\/sub><\/sup><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Marko Taponen<\/strong> from Boogie Oy<\/strong> emphasized the importance of collaboration and community in Oulu\u2019s tech scene. Sharing insights from his experience in a small company thriving on local partnerships, he discussed the significance of a balanced work-life culture. Marko highlighted that technology is merely a tool to achieve goals and stressed the need for candidates to possess both technical skills and teamwork abilities. He advised applicants to present clear and concise CVs, including their GitHub profiles or hobby projects, and to focus on their contributions within teams rather than individual achievements. Marko\u2019s emphasis on local relevance resonated well with the audience, encouraging those interested in working in Oulu to connect with the community actively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Identifying Skill Gaps by Viivi Martinen, Horizon (remote)<\/sub><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Viivi Martinen<\/strong> delivered a remote presentation that provided great insights for job seekers on how to stand out professionally on LinkedIn. She emphasized the importance of showcasing strengths and passions, even if they stem from personal projects or volunteer work. Viivi encouraged attendees to use storytelling to make their profiles more engaging and to illustrate their journey and motivations, capturing potential employers’ interest. She introduced Horizon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping internationals find employment. Through Horizon, Viivi runs a free weekly LinkedIn Boot Camp, offering tips on optimizing profiles, networking effectively, and sharing content that highlights strengths. Her message reinforced the idea that community resources are invaluable for job seekers looking to enhance their visibility in the job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research, Innovation, and Continuous Learning by Eva Maria Raudasoja and Tellervo Kivist\u00f6, University of Oulu<\/sub><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The event concluded with a collaborative presentation by Eva Maria Raudasoja<\/strong> and Tellervo Kivist\u00f6<\/strong>, from the University of Oulu<\/strong>. They discussed a project aimed at developing continuous learning solutions in collaboration with ICT companies, emphasizing the need for improving skills in areas such as data analytics, AI, and machine learning, particularly in the Kainuu region. Their insights highlighted the importance of cooperation between companies and educational institutions to enhance staff training and attract international talent. They also shared information about free courses available through a network of Finnish universities, offering both technical and language studies, which further promotes connectivity and growth in the local workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Networking Session<\/sub><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the talks, everyone had a chance to mingle and chat. This was a great way to meet the speakers and other people there. It was easy to connect and build relationships, which is a big part of what this event is all about. In this lively atmosphere, people made new friends, shared ideas, and started planning for the future. It reminded us all that a strong community is one where everyone helps each other out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “Career Gateway\u2014Oulu ICT Sector”<\/strong> event proved to be a valuable experience for attendees, providing insights and practical advice for navigating their careers in the ever-evolving tech landscape. With each speaker sharing their unique perspectives, the diverse range of topics and the shared expertise among speakers and participants underscored the power of connectivity and collaboration in achieving professional success in Oulu\u2019s dynamic ICT ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we look to the future, we invite you to reach out to ICTOulu<\/strong>. We are here to help link talented individuals with companies seeking their expertise. Stay tuned as we begin planning for our next event, aiming to continue this journey of connection, learning, and opportunity in Oulu\u2019s dynamic tech community!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The “Career Gateway\u2014 Oulu ICT Sector” event, hosted by Oulun Osaamiskeskus\u2014Oulu Skills Centre and ICTOulu, was a successful gathering on October 8, 2024. Over 80 participants attended, eager to learn from industry leaders about the latest trends and opportunities in Oulu’s dynamic ICT sector. The speakers offered valuable insights and practical advice for job seekers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":242,"featured_media":13032,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"14842,3779,11025,15915,8960,5744","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-yleinen"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/242"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13023"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13023\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13101,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13023\/revisions\/13101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}