Kara, team leader

I graduated as a physical education instructor from Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences and did a variety of physical education instructor work before sports services. In 2005, I joined sports services as a physical education instructor. About a year later, my position was made permanent, and then fifteen years passed as a physical education instructor at Pirkkola Sports Park.  

I was responsible for the smoothness of physical education plans, and I made sure that the instructors had sufficient resources and equipment to conduct their lessons. I gave new employees their orientation and worked as a workplace instructor for interns. Towards the end, I spent a couple of summers with outdoor services as a team supervisor for the beaches. That, too, was a very varied task. You learned everything from making work schedules to the quality of the beach sand, and everything in between. In particular, working as a supervisor for young adults taught me people management skills.  
 
I completed a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences in 2017 in sports industry management and development. The studies were a rigorous two-year period, but they did open new doors for me in our organisation and an opportunity for advancement. In 2020, I applied for a temporary position as a team leader at Yrjönkatu swimming hall, and in May of the following year, my position was made permanent. Since then, I’ve been the team leader at the Yrjönkatu swimming hall in the winters and at the Kumpula outdoor swimming pool in the summers. For a couple of years, I was also the team leader at the Swimming Stadium.  

This job is really varied and interesting. On one hand, the Yrjönkatu swimming hall is a legendary place, the oldest in Finland, with its unique environment. And on the other , the Kumpula outdoor swimming pool is a very important place for many residents, similar to your own backyard or summer cottage – a lifeline and a place to relax. 

The way a year goes is such a continuous process that while the Yrjönkatu swimming hall is still open, I’m already busy preparing for the upcoming outdoor pool season. Recruitment and orientation take place from February to May, which is what creates a successful outdoor pool season.  
 
Most of all, we look for enthusiastic and energetic employees who are ready to learn new things. Yes, we do teach and orient our new employees. For many young people, the outdoor swimming pool is their first job, and as an employer, we strive to ensure that it’s the best and most successful experience possible.  Being active in your free time is not a requirement, but being open to it is seen as a positive. At Kumpula, we’ve wanted to keep the tradition of having a good working atmosphere. A kind of Kumpula spirit. That isn’t to be taken for granted, and I’ve always emphasised that it’s everyone’s responsibility to contribute positively. It doesn’t happen on its own. 

We strive to create a work environment and experience for all seasonal workers that makes them willing to come back next summer. And I’ve hired many of them after the summer as sports facility caretakers, for example. Outdoor swimming pools are a good way for young adults to find employment with the city for a longer period! There is always something to do for hard-working good employees. 
 
I have 18 permanent members in my team, and I want to be a good supervisor for them, someone who enables them to work, helps with daily tasks, and engages them in common matters. We work and develop together, and everyone’s voice is heard. Some good examples are the safe space principles at the Yrjönkatu swimming hall, and the plans and service design of the renovation, which were done in cooperation. 

Of course, the best parts of my work are these iconic and legendary environments, Yrjönkatu and Kumpula. I feel privileged to be able to work in these places with a team of professionals and provide services to the city’s residents in such amazing conditions. I would say that social encounters and cultural history play just as important a role as physical activity at our sports venues.  

It’s my job to make sure that our team members have the conditions and support to be able to provide consistently high quality services all year. Sometimes, it can feel like just a daily grind, but I try to constantly remind my team of how great their work is, and how important these services are to the city’s residents.