Exploring working life at the university

Imagine a work week that takes you into a modern university environment, a game room, and tasks aimed at improving employee wellbeing. This is what Ayla Pensar, a 14-year-old student from Mustasaari Secondary School, got to experience during her TET (workplace familiarization) week at the University of Vaasa. She had the chance to see what working at a university is like – and perhaps even explore a future study place of her own.

The university wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to Ayla, as she had visited it before with her mother. Going into the week, she didn’t have any specific expectations. On her first day, one of her tasks was to organize the items in the staff kitchen cupboards and drawers. Soon, her responsibilities expanded and she was introduced to different spaces across the university.

Although the university environment was somewhat familiar to Ayla, it still made a strong impression on her – especially its modern look and spaciousness, which stood out in contrast to her own school. “Much better than my own school,” she says.

A variety of tasks and new learning opportunities

Ayla’s work tasks during the week were anything but monotonous. She helped organize the management unit’s kitchen area, designed and carried out Easter-themed decorations, and took part in practical duties such as organizing digital files.

One of the most unique and fun assignments was photographing the games in the University of Vaasa’s game room. Testing the games was part of the process, making the workday especially interesting. She also participated in labeling and cataloging equipment in the university’s usability lab in preparation for lending. These tasks offered a glimpse into the diverse nature of work at the university.

Designing and creating the Easter decorations for the staff kitchen was one of Ayla’s favorite tasks. She even went into town to find the right materials for the decor, and the final result delighted the university staff. She also helped set up snacks for a neuro-friendly study session and got to see firsthand how the university supports student wellbeing in different ways.

University is much more than just lectures

The internship gave Ayla the opportunity to see what happens at the university beyond teaching. She even attended a lecture in English on the theme of art and butterflies. On campus, she also noticed students dressed in bright red overalls, which made her wonder about the meaning behind the colors of student overalls.

Although there were moments during the week when she could have done more tasks, overall Ayla found the experience very positive. The university staff welcomed her warmly, and the work environment felt inspiring. “Studying at a university definitely interests me,” Ayla says. She would recommend the University of Vaasa as a TET placement to others too, as the variety of tasks and the university setting offered an interesting peek into future study and career opportunities.

Ayla was mentored during the TET week by Associate Professor Rebekah Rousi from the University of Vaasa.

– This week, we’ve organized several workshops and activities where we’ve listened to students and prospective students – their thoughts on what kind of university would appeal to them. Their visions highlight not only a modern and skill-enhancing learning environment but also a place where students feel comfortable and can form friendships. It’s important for us to understand young residents so we can develop our campus based on their needs and wishes, says Rebekah Rousi.