International collaboration requires the kinds of skills you get through studies and experience
Nummela is CEO of EduCluster Finland (ECF): an education export company majority-owned by the University of Jyväskylä, founded in 2010. The company designs and implements Finnish educational expertise and school concepts globally.
Nummela says her work focuses on bringing people and organisations together around a common goal. This means building effective networks and coordinating collaboration. At the heart of this is communication, which creates understanding across linguistic, national, and cultural boundaries.
Sanna describes her motivation simply: when the vision and direction are clear and roles have been agreed, collaboration really takes off.
Who?
Name: Sanna Nummela
Degree: Master's degree, 2003
Major: Marketing and business administration
Current work: CEO at EduCluster Finland
Her time as a student in Jyväskylä set her course
Nummela chose the University of Jyväskylä because it was conveniently located near the family business, which was based in close-by Lievestuore, and whilst studying in Jyväskylä she was able to continue playing an active role in the company’s operations.
With her previous upper secondary school qualification in business and practical work experience, studying business administration felt like a natural choice.
During her university years, Nummela learnt to view working life from a broad perspective: her interest in interpersonal interaction and in building shared goals grew during her studies.
She looks back on her university studies as a period during which she learnt to challenge her own thinking and build up her skills over the long term. Summer jobs over several years as a manager at a summer hotel, and work as a tour guide and destination manager broadened her cultural understanding and honed her ability to act sensitively and adapt to various situations.
During her studies, Sanna Nummela was actively involved in the student association for business and economics students.
“If you never study anywhere with a community like this, you miss out on a great deal. Working together and trusting one another was important to us.”
Her time at university provided Nummela with close-knit networks in which she remains active to this day. She reckons that at the time no one fully realised just how important building networks was for one’s professional career.
“It’s worth networking, getting involved and being bold enough to take part in work placements with companies. Such activities have far-reaching effects for both companies and the students themselves.”
On the path of continuous learning
Nummela’s work at EduCluster Finland requires continuous learning. Furthermore, lifelong learning and continuing professional development for teachers are part of the company’s business – and are accessible to every employee through the opportunities the company itself provides.
“We are proud that our owner organisation (JYU) offers such good opportunities for further education at the Open University.”
Whilst working at Jamk University of Applied Sciences and other education institutions, Sanna gained a teaching qualification. She has also completed a specialised vocational qualification in service design. She has also chosen to study positive pedagogy, which she feels supports her current work.
“A piece of advice to other alumni: don't forget the many opportunities for professional development that JYU and Jamk make available, nor all the interesting events throughout the year.”
Every step in her career has led towards new horizons
After graduating, Nummela took up a post as a business studies teacher at a university of applied sciences.
From there, her path led him into the institution’s marketing department and, through various collaboration projects, to a secondary school as an adult educator – and as a teacher trainer in China, among other places. These international projects were coordinated by EduCluster Finland.
“When a vacancy for a service director opened up there, I felt it brought together all my previous expertise.” Nummela currently works as the chief executive officer of the education export company.
“It’s hard to imagine a job where I could make use of both my various qualifications and my previous work experience as effectively as I do at EduCluster.”
High-quality collaboration
In the day-to-day work of EduCluster Finland, collaboration means aligning the objectives of different stakeholders.
Nummela explains that building corporate partnerships requires careful listening and clear objectives – as well as communication that aims to make even complex matters understandable.
This same task has been a constant throughout Sanna’s career: connecting with people, clarifying the direction and building trust.
The same fundamental qualities are evident in working life as in her studies: curiosity, the ability to learn new things and a desire to work together.
