An energy expert, UPM Energy Director and Energy Services Team Leader, he is enthusiastic about challenging things. The first of these was getting to study physics, which seemed interesting and really challenging. On top of that, studying economics in a foreign language at the same time and then taking bold steps forward in future career changes.
Anne Särkilahti, M.Sc. (Physics) and M.Sc. (Economics), emphasizes the importance of continuous curiosity and multidisciplinary approach to her own career path throughout the interview.
– I don't know how correct it is to promote the driftwood theory, but I have to say that it has worked for me. I ended up in the energy sector largely by chance, Särkilahti laughs. – I needed a place to do my thesis for my studies at Hanken, and a newly founded company called Fortum was looking for someone who could do calculations for its new electricity trading unit, and I could.
Särkilahti still finds it annoying to be considered an "energy person", even though that is what he does for a living as he leads an energy optimization service for large industrial electricity users at UPM in a team that produces energy optimization services.
Physics as a guiding star
– In my working life, I feel different from many other colleagues because I haven’t studied energy issues – even though I’ve worked on those issues for 20 years. I’m a physicist at heart and soul. In high school, I didn’t really know what physicists do, but the subject was interesting and sounded really great. Then in Otaniemi, I noticed that many people were doing two degrees at the same time, so I applied and got into Hanken, where I graduated with a Master of Science in Economics a year later after receiving my Master of Science degree.
Traditionally, in the business world, engineers are thought to handle technology and economists to handle commercial matters. However, in business life, engineers often end up in management positions where they also set commercial guidelines. In that case, understanding the business side is a strong asset.
In its current service business team, Särkilahti has more commercial and IT experts than energy engineers. The sales team needs people with different backgrounds.
– I often regret that in Finland the importance of the commercial side is still not clearly seen enough alongside technical expertise, and sales are viewed a bit arrogantly. However, in global competition it is clear that the more challenging and complex a product or service is sold, the more people other than technical people need to be involved. Content expertise is important. But if that content cannot be sold, we are in trouble. And I would also like to remind you that no matter how you are moving towards academic research in technology, sales expertise is still needed to obtain funding there.
And the same in Swedish
As a native Finnish speaker, Särkilahti chose the Swedish-speaking Hanken University with the intention of learning Swedish. It turned out to be a sensible choice. Currently, Swedish is his working language.
– During my studies, I gained a strong foundation for language skills. During my years at Fortum, I just kept going and that turned out to be a success with Swedish speakers, which was also reflected in my career development. That's why I tell students: Learn a language other than English. I can say that it's really useful for your career.
Anne Särkilahti says that she still enjoys school and studying alongside her work. She especially enjoys studying languages.
– While someone else is into music or watching sports, I relax by studying. I have spent a lot of my free time studying languages at Hanken, the Finnish-Spanish Association, the Open University and other places, because I simply love it!
Overall, continuous learning – as cliché as it sounds – is vital, according to Särkiniemi.
– Retirement ages are approaching and careers will last a very long time, something you don't think about in your twenties. A long career requires constant updating of information. The things you've studied right now won't automatically be relevant in ten years. Technology and digitalization are developing at a rapid pace. If you don't update your skills along the way, you certainly won't remain a sought-after professional in constantly evolving and increasingly demanding tasks. I recommend looking at it from a helicopter perspective: is your own skills relevant in the industry's transformations? Skills need to be updated even before they are required. It also increases motivation at work.
Get excited and inspire
Returning to the driftwood theory, Särkilahti wants to clarify that rewarding, challenging, and meaningful work tasks can be approached and achieved in several ways.
– What you study doesn't necessarily determine what you'll do in working life. Having something you're interested in and good at helps you get started. After that, the result can be either driftwood theory or a systematic orientation towards your desired field. Both are fine.
Three tips
1. Combine technical skills with commercial expertise.
2. Technology is a way to get euros and that technology must be sold.
3. In addition to English, learn another foreign language – for example Swedish.
Fast and flexible response
– I am currently leading a team at UPM that offers the Beyond Spot energy optimization service to large industrial electricity users. When we talk about demand flexibility, it is clear that it is of great importance for industrial companies. When a large company uses electricity that sometimes costs a lot in a smart way, when things are carefully analyzed and the required amount of energy is consumed during the cheapest hours possible, significant savings result.
Energy consumption may be the same as before, but when energy is used at the right time, fluctuations in electricity prices are taken into account and identified and changes are prepared for, personnel are trained and common operating methods are agreed upon, savings are created. This was a completely new undertaking also for UPM, which is known primarily as a paper and forestry company. How to shape this into a service and how to sell it was set out to be explored by a multidisciplinary, active group of experts. Now the team consists of eight people, whose expertise is sold as a service, where the optimization software is connected to the customer company's own meters and planning systems.
It is largely a matter of a change in mindset. It has been nice to watch how, during the energy crisis, the entire Finnish people have thoroughly considered what to do with the use of electricity. Flexibility can be found in both the Finnish people and industrial companies.
Anne Särkilahti, UPM
