Keynote: Sanni Siltanen, Business Finland
"Don't try to plan your entire career in advance. Often the best career paths arise from things you couldn’t have planned beforehand."
What have you studied and what influenced this choice back in the day?
I started studying mathematics a bit by chance, without a detailed plan. During my studies I specialised in applied mathematics and moved into a research career, and I’ve really enjoyed what I do.
How did you end up in your current position?
My career has taken me through research, industry and building innovation ecosystems. I wanted to seize the opportunity to contribute to Finland’s competitiveness and growth, which led me to Business Finland. In my current role I can draw on my broad experience and help foster future growth.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best part is having fantastic colleagues and engaging in genuinely rich and rewarding discussions together. The sense of purpose comes from being able to influence Finland’s future and growth through innovation.
What have been the highlights and key lessons of your career?
Highlights include major international collaboration projects, building innovation ecosystems, and the chance to work with top experts. The key lesson is that the best results come from collaboration, curiosity and the courage to take on new challenges.
What are your plans and goals in the future?
I want to continue bringing together research, business and skills, and to build new opportunities for Finnish growth and competitiveness. My goal is to help enable innovations with international impact.
What kind of person is suitable for your profession?
It suits someone who is interested in emerging technologies, their development and application. Someone curious, eager to keep learning, and enjoys collaborating with a diverse range of people.
Your greetings for young people in high school deliberating their future career?
Don’t try to plan your whole career in advance. Focus on learning, trying new things and seizing interesting opportunities. Often the best career paths arise from things you couldn’t have planned beforehand.