Traineeships at the Ministry
The Ministry of Defence employs about a dozen trainees each year.
Trainees' stories
19.07.2022 11:20
Kati Makkonen, University Trainee at the Media and Communications Unit
1. Who are you?
I’m Kati Makkonen, a recent Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Master’s degree student of politics and communications at the University of Helsinki. My roots are in South Karelia, which is still visible in my dialect and easy-going nature.2. What does your job involve?
My job description includes media and social media monitoring, drawing up social media publications and press releases, as well as photography. I also do secretarial tasks if necessary and take care of all kinds of routine tasks. As a trainee, I’ve been able to focus my tasks along my own competence and interests.3. How did you come to work as a trainee at the Ministry of Defence?
I have been interested in security since upper secondary school, and this interest was further deepened by my military service. In my studies I have focused on security themes, and especially the military aspect. I have previously completed both studies and a traineeship at the National Defence University. Given this past experience, the Ministry of Defence was a natural next step on this administrative branch.4. What has been the best thing about your traineeship?
At the Media and Communications Unit, I have come across a wide range of topics within the administrative branch. For example, I have familiarised myself with a variety of tasks from the Strategic Compass to procurement of materiel. A definite advantage of working at a small ministry is that the work tasks are very diverse and, as a trainee, I’ve been able to take on responsibilities. It has been great to see how a trainee’s views are heard and how my input is valued.The current situation has further underlined the importance of the defence administration, and as unpleasant as the situation has been, I have been able to observe and take part in communication relating to the current security policy situation. I could not have imagined that this spring at the Ministry of Defence would be so busy.