Summer in Solutions 2024 – From Theory to Practice in Marketing

Juulia and Bettiina, our marketing trainees at Visma Solutions, share a sneak peek of their summer journey. They offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a summer trainee at Visma Solutions, highlighting the blend of professional challenges and personal growth that encapsulates the summer as a Marketing trainee.

Q: First, to introduce yourself, tell a random fact about you

Juulia: The 2005 Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite movies and I like to put it on when I don’t know what else to watch.

Bettiina: As a second job, I hold a riding school with my mother 🙂

Q: How did Visma Solutions catch your interest, and what lead you to your current role?

Juulia: After my previous experience at a startup, I sought a larger, more established company that retained a startup’s flexibility and culture. Visma Solutions struck the perfect balance, offering the professional growth opportunities of a mature company alongside a flexible, dynamic culture.

Bettiina: My fascination with Visma Solutions came from my auditing experiences, which familiarised me with Visma Solutions’ accounting tools. This exposure, coupled with my marketing study background, drew me towards exploring how my insights could benefit the marketing of software solutions. When the trainee positions were announced, I knew it was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

Q: Can you briefly share your study background?

Juulia: I pursued my Bachelor’s in International Business and followed up with a Master’s in Business Analytics, focusing on Marketing Analytics.

Bettiina: I’m studying my Master’s in Marketing at Tampere University, following the completion of my Bachelor’s degree at Vaasa University, where I also majored in Marketing.

When the trainee positions were announced, I knew it was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

Q: Describe your typical day as a trainee at Visma Solutions. What are your main tasks and projects?

Juulia: No day is the same here! On a more typical day, I might have a few meetings with my team or with some of our different experts within the marketing department, and then mostly I can focus on some tasks that make me more desk-bound, such as writing this blog or crafting LinkedIn content. On the other hand, there are more eventful days, like holding a photoshoot in Lappeenranta for our summer trainees to get marketing material pictures. There has been a good mix of typical, desk-bound focus days when we need to plan and do the groundwork, and then the days we get to execute and make it happen. This variation of days has ensured that the summer has been diverse, interesting and full of learning.

This summer, my role involves supporting Maventa’s product marketing—managing projects like LinkedIn content creation and developing a welcome package for new partners. Additionally, I’m responsible for projects beyond Maventa, such as organising photoshoots for Visma Solutions’ sales people to refresh our website pictures.

Bettiina: My office day usually begins around 8 o’clock with a warm cup of coffee. I start with checking up on my calendar, email, and our communication channel. I typically make a weekly schedule, outlining which specific tasks I will progress on each day. In the morning, my calendar might include, for instance, posting on LinkedIn, writing a blog post, and advancing a project in which I am working as an event coordinator. In the afternoon, I might have a weekly meeting scheduled with our sales team. Throughout the day, ad hoc tasks may arise, so I keep a small buffer in my calendar for them. Lunchtime is always around 11, and I personally like to go out for lunch away from the office. You never have to go alone, as there are always willing lunch companions from our large team.

I work as a Product Marketer in Netvisor KYC. As a Product Marketer, I have, for instance, had an opportunity to represent our product in our customer events, crafted our social media content, promoted and developed our newsletter, and refreshed our websites and other marketing materials. Together with Juulia, we have also organised photoshoot events, and we are responsible for organising some employer branding content.

I live in Tampere, so the office’s location in Pasila, Helsinki near the railway station has been an incredible advantage because I I travel a lot by train on my commute to works. The company’s remote work opportunities have also made it easier for me to work. I work remotely for about half of the week.

Q: How have your expectations aligned with the reality of working at Visma Solutions? Any surprises?

Juulia: I expected to learn a lot and that has definitely held true, every day has been a learning journey. I was positively surprised how thorough and well organised the onboarding process was. The onboarding process allowed me to meet different people within and outside the marketing department, and it really enforced the idea that you are encouraged to be curious and ask questions and learn as much as you can.

What also positively surprised me was the fact how well thought out the projects I have for the summer were. I have clear projects for the summer that are my responsibility to work on and complete, and I really appreciate that summer trainees are trusted and given authority over our own projects.

You are encouraged to be curious and ask questions and learn as much as you can.

Bettiina: Before I started, I was asked what I wanted to do and learn. I wanted to learn as much as possible about digital marketing and about various in-house marketing processes in general. Now, it feels like I have been able to work on marketing in a very diverse way. I have learned a lot about branding, marketing communication, growth hacking, event organising, marketing metrics, and marketing automation. Additionally, I have learned about the responsibilities of the marketing department and how to manage my own work.

I have had the opportunity to participate in events and have also been involved in organising an event myself. I have been surprised at how broad the field of marketing can be. At Visma Solutions, within the marketing function, you can specialise in a smaller area or take on broader marketing competencies. I have also learned the importance of benchmarking, so I encourage everyone to be enthusiastic and interested in what and how things are done elsewhere, and to look for best practices beyond one’s own knowledge.

Q: What has been the highlight of your summer so far?

Juulia: The people and the opportunity to grow. Working alongside a team of diverse talents who are always ready to lend a hand has been incredible. It’s an environment that fosters curiosity, learning, and professional growth.

Bettiina: The community, without a doubt. Despite being a trainee, the inclusivity and support from the team have been overwhelming. It’s a space where learning is limitless, and the connections built during this journey are invaluable.

Visma Solutions on Suomen johtava pilvipalveluiden toimittaja. Ratkaisujamme käyttää kansainvälisesti jo yli 170 000 yritystä. Missiomme on auttaa suomalaisia yrityksiä olemaan kilpailukykyisiä.