Jami Became an Accounting Pro Through Staria's Trainee Program

I joined Staria through the Trainee Program after realizing that chef’s profession wasn’t for me. I wanted more variety and opportunities to learn new things at work, so in 2021, I started studying business information technology at Laurea and later switched to business administration. When I started looking for a place where I could do my training, a friend told me that Staria is known for accepting trainees and the place has a good reputation. Therefore, I decided to apply to the Trainee Program in the fall of 2023.

I had been searching for an internship for a while, but since I didn’t have any previous experience in accounting, I hadn’t gotten selected. When I got an interview invitation from Staria, I was nervous, but I decided to just be myself, trusting that my attitude and personality would be enough. At Staria my potential was seen, and I got to start in the pilot Trainee Program along with nine other trainees.

Career kicks off with mentor’s support

The Trainee Program lasted six months, and each trainee had their own mentor during the whole period. At first, the mentors guided us closely, but gradually we were encouraged to work more independently and take on more responsibility. My mentor Liisa was very supportive and approachable right from the start. I felt comfortable asking her anything for the thousand time, and thanks to her, the imposter syndrome I felt at the beginning started to fade. Liisa has always believed in me and made me feel valued.

During my internship, I learned the basics of accounting and also completed my thesis here. When both my studies and internship ended, I continued at Staria as an Accounting Assistant, and later that same year, my contract was made permanent with the title of Accounting Specialist. I believe the other trainees also got a great start to their careers at Staria as nine out of ten of us are still here while writing this story.

An open mind paves the way for professional growth

After becoming a permanent employee, my responsibilities gradually expanded. I mainly worked with purchase invoices, but one time I impressed a senior colleague by correcting him on a subject and he wanted me to join a ticketing system project he was then working on. That was my first project on top of customer work, and I got involved in it simply because I dared to share my perspective in a meeting.

In those couple of years I’ve been part of Staria, I’ve already had the chance to join other interesting projects as well and try out different things. As I don’t have any previous experience in this field, I think it’s been a great opportunity — I can’t possibly know my interests and strengths unless I explore different options. My managers have supported and encouraged me to try out various roles and tasks, creating a safe environment for professional growth.

To name a few things, I’ve trained a large team on our ticketing system, gotten to know Netvisor’s purchase invoice automation in depth, solved day-to-day problems by leveraging automation and process development, and started in Robot Owner’s role alongside my main job. Being a Robot Owner means that I’m my team’s go-to person when it comes to automations.

Finding my own path

Professional growth also means realizing what you don’t want to focus on. I was offered the chance to work with NetSuite ERP and took on the challenge with an open mind. My manager promised that if I didn’t find the work meaningful, I wouldn’t have to stick with it. Pretty soon I realized this wasn’t for me, and I really appreciate that I could return to what I enjoy.

Right now, my role consists of tasks I find meaningful. My days mostly revolve around Netvisor’s purchase invoice automation, and I’m responsible for making sure our clients’ purchase invoice processes are as automated as possible, freeing up my colleagues’ time for more demanding tasks. I also handle Netvisor onboardings for new clients. Automation has been close to my heart since my very first day as a trainee, and I love working on tasks that require logical thinking and building solutions that make my colleagues’ work easier and more efficient.

I ended up in my current role mainly thanks to my thesis supervisor, Maria. While working on my thesis, Maria noticed my potential and later she asked me if I’d be keen on to work more with Netvisor. Maria has opened many doors for me – even though she’s not my manager – and I’m extremely grateful for that. I think this is also a perfect example of Staria’s atmosphere, we collaborate across teams and credit is given when credit is due.

The community at Staria is warm and supportive. It’s easy to ask for help, whether it’s a small technical issue or a bigger project. Everyone is genuinely helpful and want to share their knowledge, and because of this atmosphere, you feel encouraged to try new things and develop your skills. Even during my trainee program, I was given responsibility and got to join projects where I could use my technical skills and develop automation solutions. It feels good that people trust me and my expertise, and that I get to use it to help others learn new things too.

Goodbye imposter syndrome

My managers and people around me have been important pillars in my professional growth. I’ve had the chance to grow and try new things, but also to set boundaries. When I think about what’s helped me grow from an insecure trainee to an accounting pro, I believe the key has been a certain humbleness, the courage to try, and the ability to ask for help — you don’t have to know everything right away. I’ve learned that the most important thing is to seize opportunities and trust in your ability to learn.

The best part of my job is that every day brings new challenges and chances to learn. I enjoy solving problems and being able to help others by tackling challenges. I know I’m good at what I do, but I still want to keep evolving. In the future, I’d love to be involved in implementing new technologies and AI solutions, and to teach others how to use them.

At Staria, I’ve been able to grow into a respected professional. I’m grateful to have a manager and team around me who support and encourage me, and that I get to shape the future of accounting.