On a warm May day, our Summer Seals (yes, that's what we call our summer interns) stepped into our office for the first time. Eager to dive into the working world within their teams and functions, they were warmly welcomed by many Sievonians, who greeted them with excitement and enthusiasm.

Fast forward to today, our Summer Seals have completed their journey with us at Sievo. Though their time here has come to an end, the memories they've created are truly unforgettable. We're proud to share how each of our three wonderful Summer Seals: Viliina (Vilkku), Inka & Aleksei reflected on their experiences in their own words. Here's a glimpse into how their summer went!

How did you end up working at Sievo? 

Vilkku:

Well, this is my second tour as a summer seal at Sievo! I had such a blast last year that I just had to come back for more. I first heard about Sievo through my studies and thought, 'Hey, this sounds like a cool place that fits my work and educational background.' Last year, I was in Professional Services, and this time, I'm rocking it in the Presales team. The people and culture here are just amazing, and the Summer Academy program is like the cherry on top – it's not just work, it's a whole experience! 

Inka:

I first stumbled upon Sievo when I was working as a Customer Success Host at my earlier workplace. Sievo was one of our customers at a conference, and their vibe was just “chef's kiss” 🤌. I was totally blown away by the positive energy and I knew right then and there that I wanted to work there someday. So, when the Sievo Summer Academy application period opened up about a year later, I jumped on the chance. I sent in my resume and video, and after a couple of rounds of interviews, I got the amazing news that I was in! I was super excited to start as a Sales Development Specialist, which was exactly what I had applied for! 

Aleksei: 

I subscribed to the Sievo talent community newsletter and kept an eye on new opportunities. When the summer position opened the following year, I was ready. After an interview with my future manager and a team member, I was thrilled to receive an offer. It felt like all the hard work and preparation had finally paid off! 

What made the summer special for you? 

Vilkku:

This summer has been an absolute blast! What really makes this place special are all the other Sievonians. Everyone is super welcoming, and the office vibe is fun and relaxed. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was part of the team and summer seal crew. Plus, I made some amazing new friends during the summer! 

Inka:

Summer was truly unforgettable for many reasons. From the very first day, I felt right at home. Everyone was so excited to welcome the new summer seals, and the People team had put together an incredible onboarding plan. The two main highlights of my summer were the amazing people I worked with and the incredible personal growth I experienced. Looking back at the beginning of summer, I'm amazed by how much I've learned along the way. 

Aleksei:

What really made this summer special at Sievo was the incredible way people here treat each other. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by everyone in the company. But it’s not just about being friendly – it’s the trust that stands out. I had the opportunity to work on various projects across different areas, collaborating with people in all sorts of roles, and every single person was both reliable and trustworthy. This level of trust and teamwork made my experience at Sievo unforgettable. 

What did you learn? 

Vilkku:

Oh, I learned so much! From the nitty-gritty technical stuff to building a business case, I got a deep dive into the Sievo product and SaaS sales. I got to take on a lot of responsibility in project execution and client work, leading my own project during the summer. I discovered that everyone's strengths are celebrated here, and the professional growth and learning curve during this summer have been out of the roof.  

Inka: 

Where to even start? Thanks to the structured Summer Academy program, I had the opportunity to explore various areas. I participated in six summer projects, covering topics like social media, content creation, sustainability reporting, and sales process improvement. By managing my own schedule between sales development tasks and summer projects, I gained valuable experience in project management, handling presentations, and working as a part of a team. And whenever I needed help, I always had someone there to support me! 

Need to visualize how my day went by? Here's a reel video I made to showcase to you all.

Aleksei:

During the summer, I had the opportunity to grow both my independence in development tasks and my teamwork skills. I learned how to effectively collaborate with senior engineers, product managers, and designers. While I mainly focused on front-end development, deepening my React and TypeScript skills, I also got the chance to explore some back-end tasks, working with the new-to-me C# .NET technology. Overall, the professional and personal growth I achieved was truly significant. 

©Sami Heiskanen

Any tips for applying to Summer Academy?

Vilkku:

My tips for the future Sievonians: Be yourself – there's no one else like you, and that's your superpower! Show excitement for learning new things – you don't have to know everything right off the bat. Just be eager to learn and grow! The Summer Academy is all about embracing new challenges and showing that you're ready to dive in headfirst. So, bring your enthusiasm, your curiosity, and your best self, and you'll fit right in! 

Inka: 

My advice for future applicants is to be authentic and showcase your unique qualities. Sievo values diversity, so don't feel pressured to conform to a specific mold. Your genuine self might be exactly what they're looking for. One concrete thing that helped me was to highlight my personality in my application materials. I included a video where I demonstrated my creativity. Another tip is to contact Sievonians in roles that you find intriguing! In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Sievo as a workplace and I wish you all the best in your application process. 

Aleksei:

I highly recommend subscribing to Sievo’s talent community to stay updated on the latest open positions. Being one of the first to apply can give you a slight advantage. Also, put a lot of effort into your cover letter and application. It’s important to highlight your strengths, but don’t forget to showcase your personality and interests too. This is your chance to stand out, so make sure your application reflects who you are and why you’re excited to join Sievo!