Huhtamaki Headquarters Summer Trainees 2025 (from left to right): Roope, Venla, Fanni, Klaus, Teemu, Jasmin, Sanni, Rosi, Taru, Laura, and Moona. One Summer Trainee, Matti, is missing from the photo.
As summer in Finland nears its end, so does our Huhtamaki Headquarters Summer Trainee program 2025. Throughout the summer, our Trainees have Cared, Dared, and Delivered while gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of functions such as strategy, legal, finance, human resources, administration, communications, and sustainability.
In this article, Summer Trainees reflect on their memorable summer at Huhtamaki Headquarters in Espoo, Finland, sharing their experiences and learnings along the way. A warm thank you to all Summer Trainees for their hard work, enthusiasm, and valuable contributions throughout the summer.
What surprised you the most about working in a global company like Huhtamaki?
Fanni: I think what has surprised me the most is just how extensive our operations and geographical footprint truly are. Before joining Huhtamaki, I thought I knew quite a bit about the company. Now, being part of Huhtamaki and having had the opportunity to work on projects across Huhtamaki’s segments, it has been really fascinating to see the actual diversity and scale of the business worldwide.
Jasmin: What has surprised me the most about working in a truly global company like Huhtamaki is the strong sense of connectedness. In my role, I have had the opportunity to collaborate and build connections with colleagues around the world. Working together towards shared goals and learning from experts has enhanced my learning within the company, for which I am grateful. The sense of connection, despite the physical distances, has fostered a warm and welcoming culture where it has been a pleasure to work.
What aspect of your work or company culture did you enjoy the most?
Teemu: What I enjoyed most about my work and the company culture at Huhtamaki is that there is a strong trust in people to manage their responsibilities independently. I believe this trust motivates people to take ownership of their work and perform well. Furthermore, it’s rewarding to be part of an environment where processes are continuously developed and people are not just following daily routines.
Moona: What I enjoyed most about my work and the company culture at Huhtamaki was how welcoming everyone was from day one. I have had the opportunity to work with various new platforms and projects, and the support from my team enabled me to expand my knowledge and learn as much as possible.
What’s a highlight or memorable moment from your time at Huhtamaki this summer?
Taru: The opportunities that the trainee program offers from the viewpoint of a young employee gaining one of their first work experiences in a corporate setting have been very valuable. Getting to share this journey with others in a similar situation, as well as hearing from them about the different things going on in the company and what the company can offer, has been very interesting. This has definitely helped me gain a more in-depth understanding of Huhtamaki and its operations. I’ve also really enjoyed Trainees' afterworks, ice cream trips, coffee talks and lunches, we’ve grown into a truly unified group. The other trainees, being in a similar life situation, have offered an important “safety net” for me.
What did you learn from working in diverse teams and cross-functional settings?
Sanni: Working in diverse and cross-functional teams has given me a broad view of the work at Huhtamaki. It has been a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation for my career and learn from colleagues who are experts in different fields. Cross-functional collaboration has also been essential for my work tasks, and it has allowed me to learn about the various function within each of Huhtamaki’s segments. Additionally, I have learned to adapt to different ways of working, which I find very valuable in today’s global and continuously changing environment.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their career at Huhtamaki?
Laura: Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. People at Huhtamaki are happy to share their knowledge, and taking the initiative to learn helps you grow faster and build meaningful connections. I have formed so many great relationships during my time here, and I am sure we’ll cross paths again in the future, whether professionally or personally. It has been truly inspiring to be part of such a supportive and open community.
Matti: Be active in participating, trust your own capabilities, and be vocal about what you want to learn in the future. People at Huhtamaki are really helpful, willing to teach you, and eager to include you in their projects. It was really exciting to start here and realize that the possibilities for self-development are vast, and that people are also eager to hear new perspectives and ideas from new employees.
What’s one takeaway from this experience that you’ll carry with you long-term?
Rosi: I highly appreciate the great team I got to spend this summer with, the trust and independence I was given and the continuous boost to learn more and develop as an employee. I've learned a lot about the company and the field and that is really thanks to the knowledgeable and experienced people I've got to work with. The environment at Huhtamaki has truly been engaging and encouraging to question, explore, think critically and develop, at that has been a very valuable experience to have in such the early stage of my career. Not to forget the great laughs in-between of course!