My name is Sergey Surnev, and I graduated this spring from the University of Jyväskylä with a Master of Arts degree from the Multidisciplinary Language Specialist program. During my studies, I focused particularly on languages and intercultural communication. I am currently looking for a permanent position while actively developing my language skills. I am fluent in Finnish, Russian, and English, but my particular interest lies in the Japanese language, the basics of which I studied in college and which I am constantly striving to improve.
I ended up getting a summer job at International House Jyväskylä thanks to my own initiative and interest. While I was still a student, I had already contacted the organization to inquire about internship opportunities, and they advised me to keep an eye out for upcoming summer job postings. This ultimately led to a summer job at International House Jyväskylä, which felt particularly rewarding, as my own initiative in reaching out and my strong motivation to get involved were the main factors that helped me land the job.
During my summer job, I had the opportunity to take on a wide variety of tasks. My duties included meeting with clients, assisting with social orientation sessions and home visits, and participating in information sessions, online training courses, and team meetings. In addition, I was responsible for logging customer information, scheduling appointments, processing online applications, and handling various practical arrangements. The tasks involved several small but important steps, which required careful attention and strong organizational skills to manage.
My most significant learning experience was the opportunity to plan and carry out client meetings from start to finish. I was responsible for the various stages of the process, from the initial phone call to handling the actual matter with the client in person. These numerous experiences with independent client meetings significantly boosted my confidence at work and enhanced my professional skills. It was rewarding to see that the meetings went smoothly and that the clients were satisfied with the service they received. Over the course of the summer, I was able to build strong client relationships. This was particularly evident toward the end of my summer job, when the positive attitude and trust of a few familiar customers were easily noticeable in the way they greeted me, talked with me, and interacted with me.
My summer job taught me a lot of new skills. Since it was my first job in an office setting, I learned, among other things, how to plan my workday, manage my time, and use a calendar effectively. At the same time, I gained valuable experience interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and in various life situations through multilingual guidance, counseling, and integration work. These experiences have improved my interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to handle even challenging people situations.
The summer job also gave me the opportunity to develop my initiative and ability to take responsibility. I was able to work in situations where it was important to make independent decisions, apply what I had learned previously, and find solutions to meet people's needs. The experience reinforced my belief that I thrive in a job that combines interacting with people, problem-solving, and the opportunity to genuinely help others.
The best aspects of the summer job were the variety of tasks, the opportunity to collaborate with a broad network of experts, and the responsibility and independence the job offered. I also appreciated the chance to explore different parts of Jyväskylä during my summer job through home visits, multilingual civic orientations, and introductory visits. Also, communities and teams I worked with were supportive and approachable, both during work tasks and during our coffee breaks together, which made the work meaningful.
My advice to future summer workers is to boldly seize new opportunities, be proactive, and ask for help whenever needed. An open mindset and a willingness to learn will help you get the most out of your summer work experience. As one of my supervisors aptly put it, every work experience helps you understand whether a particular job is right for you or not, and there’s no shame in realizing that you don’t feel comfortable in a certain workplace or role. In my case, however, the situation with International House Jyväskylä was the exact opposite, as over the summer I became increasingly convinced that this job is a perfect fit for my skills, strengths, and interests. I would like to warmly thank International House Jyväskylä for this wonderful opportunity, the valuable experiences, and an educational summer!