From train driver to bachelor of business administration- “The education offers good opportunities for a wide range of jobs”

Jonna Rajala studies herself a degree of bacherlor of business administrator through multi-disciplinary studies after a long period as a train driver at VR. She put her studies together in no time during her study leave.

Teksi: Siiri Welling
Photo by Antti Ala-Könni

State Railways, or VR as it is more commonly known, is partly in Jonna Rajala’s DNA. Her father had a long career with the railway company, as did her grandfather. Perhaps that’s why Rajala didn’t hesitate when she was offered the opportunity to work for VR, first as a summer worker and later as a permanent employee.

“Initially, I studied nursing at Turku University of Applied Sciences, but I changed to social work. In the autumn of 2008, VR offered me the opportunity to train as a rail welder and ultrasound inspector. They trained me for the job and offered me a permanent job, so I left my studies at that time”, says Rajala.

Education offers really good opportunities to do a wide range of jobs. The qualification gives you a good foundation, and you can continue to develop your expertise in the world of work.

Rajala spent three years as a rail welder. The work was largely travelling, with weeks spent in different parts of Finland. Rajala repaired rails and checked their condition. In a single day, he could walk up to ten kilometers unnoticed.

“I think I was even one of the first female welders back in 2009, earlier I don’t think there were any women in VR’s rail welder training”, says Rajala.

However, the long absences from home began to feel like a burden, so Rajala decided to look for other jobs within VR. In 2012, Rajala had the opportunity to train as a train driver. Even though he had a good number of kilometres as a locomotive driver, Rajala was able to spend more time at home. The shifts might be long, but after the shift you could always go home.

Business studies were attractive

During her years as a train driver, the Rajala family also grew. After maternity leave, irregular shift work no longer appealed, so Rajala decided to head for new winds. In autumn 2019, Rajala began her studies in the multi-disciplinary programme of Business Administration at Turku University of Applied Sciences, and graduated in the spring of March 2021.

“My goal was to complete my studies during my study leave. Multi-disciplinary study allowed me the flexibility to study at my own pace. I didn’t take credit for my previous studies because I really wanted to learn something new”, says Rajala.

Rajala is particularly grateful to her tutor, who helped her to plan her studies and supported her plans to graduate as quickly as possible. Secondly, Rajala thanks her fellow students, who gave her a lot of peer support for her studies.

“Despite the covid 19, I did not consciously stay home to study at all. I took the kids to kindergarten and then studied on campus for a working day. Many of the other students did the same, so we had each other’s support.”

Rajala warmly recommends business studies at Turku University of Applied Sciences to anyone interested in business. She points out that there is a wide range of jobs available for tradespeople.

“There are plenty of jobs available. I would argue that almost every company has tradespeople working for them, and not just doing things like finance or marketing. I myself am a resource planner, so I can see that the degree offers really good opportunities to do a wide range of jobs. The qualification gives you a good foundation, and you can continue to develop your expertise in the world of work.”

The article was published on 27.2.2023 on the previous turkuamk.fi website.