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How did you end up in Aalto?

I never planned to stay in academia. That’s how the story begins.

Fifteen years ago, a curious student walked through the doors of Aalto University to study automation systems and industrial engineering. That student was me.

After my master’s, I jumped into consulting, like many Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) grads do. I was deep in the world of supply chains, figuring out how to optimize operations and working capital in global operations. 

As this was the time of intense globalization and one-way traffic of moving manufacturing to offshore leading to closure of local European factories, I kept coming back to a question: How can we build a case for local production and how much is local responsiveness worth? What’s the real value of being able to react quickly, to produce locally instead of outsourcing from other parts of the world?

That question became something I couldn’t stop thinking about. I found a professor in Switzerland whose paper had inspired me, and before long, I was doing my PhD there, researching exactly the value of responsiveness in operations as an option for building competitiveness. I thought I’d return to industry with answers, but as it turned out… I never left academia.

After a postdoc in Switzerland, I came back to Finland, partly for family, but mostly because of Aalto.

I’m now an Assistant Professor and head of the Operations Management Master’s major in IEM. I teach advanced topics in analytics and operations, often in collaboration with companies, and I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the most driven, thoughtful students I’ve ever met.

What makes the Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) master’s program at Aalto so special?

Honestly? The students.

The program is small and selective, which means the quality is amazing. You’re constantly surrounded by smart, curious, motivated people who want to make things happen. That creates a dynamic classroom where we don’t have to hold back, we can dive deep, take on real challenges, and build practical skills fast.

It also helps that IEM is this fascinating intersection of engineering, business, and design. Add Finland’s industrial strength, our close company collaborations, and add that Aalto is one of the vibrant startup ecosystems, then you get a study environment that’s hard to beat.

Aalto is like the Silicon Valley of Europe — only better.

More freedom. Less pressure. More room to think. 

How would you describe the studies?

I don’t do lectures for the sake of theory. Everything we teach is tied to real applications. In our analytics course, students build working prototypes for companies like KONE and Fiksuruoka during an annual six-week hackathon. It’s fast-paced, intense, and the results are always impressive.

Most students do their master’s thesis as a paid project in a company, applying what they learn while still being coached from the academic side. And we hear back from them all the time.

Just recently, a student of mine who now works in the data science team at Bolt said he’s applying methods from our “Creating Value with Analytics” course directly in his job. That’s exactly the kind of impact we aim for, giving students the mindset, not just the tools.

What moments do you think will stay with you?

I’ve been lucky! I’ve been named “Teacher of the Year” by our students twice. That means a lot. And last year, the students gave me a present as a memory: personalized Cycle Pump! apparently because cycling is my passion, and they thought I brought that same energy to class. I’m not sure where they came up with it, but I’ll take it.

It’s those little things that stay with you, the energy in the classroom, the jokes, and the friendships students form with each other.

Why should a student from across the world choose Aalto?

What really makes this program special is the people, especially the students. It’s a small and selective group, which means you’re surrounded by brilliant, open-minded, and fun people to work with. That creates an environment where you can do advanced, challenging things right from the start. You get to work on real projects, engage with companies, and learn from a faculty that’s genuinely excited to be here. And if you’re an international student, you’re not alone. I’ve had the chance to support many who come here from abroad, and I’ve seen every one of them find their place and thrive. It’s a rich, collaborative space to learn and grow.

What do you hope students take with them?

I hope they leave with more than just knowledge.

I hope they remember the excitement, the exploration, the friendships. That they gained tools and confidence, and that they felt ready to take on the world, whatever direction they choose.