Iina Manninen - Junior Data Analyst
Iina Manninen is one of many experts at Elo who combine work and studies. When a team needs additional resources equivalent to part-time input, the contribution of a part-time expert can be crucial. At Elo, flexible solutions that support combining work and studies in different life situations are therefore encouraged.
Iina started at Elo as a summer employee and was given the opportunity to continue part-time alongside her studies. Her path from summer employee to expert has progressed naturally, and Iina has found a role where mathematical problem-solving meets people-oriented themes.
What are you studying, and when did you join the company?
I study Systems Sciences at Aalto University, where my studies combine mathematics, data analytics, and applied problem-solving. I am particularly interested in applying logical thinking and problem-solving to societal issues.
My previous work experience at Kela in benefits processing sparked my interest in social security–related topics and their impact on people’s everyday lives. This interest motivated me to apply for a summer position at Elo for the summer of 2024, when I started as an analyst trainee. After the summer, I continued part-time alongside my studies, then worked full-time the following summer, and I am now again working part-time. My current job title is Junior Data Analyst.
What kind of tasks are you working on now?
I work with work ability data at Elo. In addition to analysts, our team includes experts from fields such as psychology and medicine, which makes the work highly multidisciplinary and interesting.
I have been involved in developing a work ability data repository that brings together factors related to workload and resources affecting work ability across different professions and industries. In practice, my work involves a lot of data processing, statistical analysis, and data visualization. For example, I create charts for web content and reporting views for internal use. My responsibilities have evolved over time. Initially, the focus was more on individual visualizations and background work, but gradually I have been able to engage more deeply in analytics and broader projects.
How has combining work and studies worked out?
Very well. I agree on my working days with my supervisor largely based on my studies and key meetings. It makes everyday life much easier when you can plan the week as a whole.
I feel that studies are valued at Elo. There has been flexibility on the employer’s side, while at the same time I have been able to work on meaningful and responsible tasks even as a part-time employee. The work has also helped guide my studies. Seeing in practice what kinds of questions are solved in working life has made it easier to choose courses and deepen my expertise in a direction that feels right for me.
What is the best part of your job?
Definitely the people and learning together. The team includes experts from many different fields, each with a slightly different background. It’s great to see how the same phenomenon can be approached from multiple perspectives. I also find it important that my work is connected to socially significant themes, such as work ability and well-being. Being able to use my skills on issues that affect people’s everyday lives feels meaningful.
Would you recommend working alongside studies?
For me, combining work and studies has brought confidence to my career path and helped me understand what kinds of things I want to be involved in in the future. I believe working life teaches many things that don’t necessarily come up in lectures. For example, working in a multidisciplinary work community develops teamwork skills and teaches collaboration with experts from different fields.
A true gem for the team
Iina’s supervisor, Nina Soikkeli, describes Iina as a true gem for her team:
“Iina proved to be a perfect fit for our unit as soon as she started in the summer of 2024. She has expertise that complements our multidisciplinary unit in exactly the right way. In addition, Iina is curious, eager to take on new challenges, keen to learn, and ready to give her full contribution at work. At the moment, Iina is working on development tasks that play a significant role in achieving Elo’s strategic goals. In my opinion, the successful combination of studies and work, where both complement each other, has been made possible by open dialogue, the support of experienced colleagues, and a shared understanding that studies come first and their progress is the top priority.”
Iina started at Elo as a summer employee and was given the opportunity to continue part-time alongside her studies. Her path from summer employee to expert has progressed naturally, and Iina has found a role where mathematical problem-solving meets people-oriented themes.
What are you studying, and when did you join the company?
I study Systems Sciences at Aalto University, where my studies combine mathematics, data analytics, and applied problem-solving. I am particularly interested in applying logical thinking and problem-solving to societal issues.
My previous work experience at Kela in benefits processing sparked my interest in social security–related topics and their impact on people’s everyday lives. This interest motivated me to apply for a summer position at Elo for the summer of 2024, when I started as an analyst trainee. After the summer, I continued part-time alongside my studies, then worked full-time the following summer, and I am now again working part-time. My current job title is Junior Data Analyst.
What kind of tasks are you working on now?
I work with work ability data at Elo. In addition to analysts, our team includes experts from fields such as psychology and medicine, which makes the work highly multidisciplinary and interesting.
I have been involved in developing a work ability data repository that brings together factors related to workload and resources affecting work ability across different professions and industries. In practice, my work involves a lot of data processing, statistical analysis, and data visualization. For example, I create charts for web content and reporting views for internal use. My responsibilities have evolved over time. Initially, the focus was more on individual visualizations and background work, but gradually I have been able to engage more deeply in analytics and broader projects.
How has combining work and studies worked out?
Very well. I agree on my working days with my supervisor largely based on my studies and key meetings. It makes everyday life much easier when you can plan the week as a whole.
I feel that studies are valued at Elo. There has been flexibility on the employer’s side, while at the same time I have been able to work on meaningful and responsible tasks even as a part-time employee. The work has also helped guide my studies. Seeing in practice what kinds of questions are solved in working life has made it easier to choose courses and deepen my expertise in a direction that feels right for me.
What is the best part of your job?
Definitely the people and learning together. The team includes experts from many different fields, each with a slightly different background. It’s great to see how the same phenomenon can be approached from multiple perspectives. I also find it important that my work is connected to socially significant themes, such as work ability and well-being. Being able to use my skills on issues that affect people’s everyday lives feels meaningful.
Would you recommend working alongside studies?
For me, combining work and studies has brought confidence to my career path and helped me understand what kinds of things I want to be involved in in the future. I believe working life teaches many things that don’t necessarily come up in lectures. For example, working in a multidisciplinary work community develops teamwork skills and teaches collaboration with experts from different fields.
A true gem for the team
Iina’s supervisor, Nina Soikkeli, describes Iina as a true gem for her team:
“Iina proved to be a perfect fit for our unit as soon as she started in the summer of 2024. She has expertise that complements our multidisciplinary unit in exactly the right way. In addition, Iina is curious, eager to take on new challenges, keen to learn, and ready to give her full contribution at work. At the moment, Iina is working on development tasks that play a significant role in achieving Elo’s strategic goals. In my opinion, the successful combination of studies and work, where both complement each other, has been made possible by open dialogue, the support of experienced colleagues, and a shared understanding that studies come first and their progress is the top priority.”