This February marked my first full year as a full member of the Headai team, and I want to take a moment to reflect on this incredible journey. The past year has been filled with new challenges, significant learning experiences, and countless memorable moments. My name is Essi Kemppainen, and I work at Headai as a Growth & Development Specialist – a role that has been both a passion and a constant learning opportunity for me.

A complex beginning and building my path at Headai

My journey at Headai started almost by chance. I first encountered Harri in 2021 during the national Junior Chamber Pori Porigami event, and later, we crossed paths again a couple of years later during the SuomiAreena week in Pori, where he was speaking about artificial intelligence. After the official panel discussion we had an interesting conversation that later led to an unexpected opportunity. After the event a couple of months later, I came across an advertisement for Sarasen’s Code Academy and decided to ask Harri if Headai would consider taking me on as an apprentice. Long story short, I was selected – despite my background in service industries rather than IT.

At Headai, I was given the freedom to shape my own role, and I embraced the challenge. I chose the title “Growth & Development Specialist” to reflect my passion for development and growth – whether it’s related to products, people, or processes. Even during my apprenticeship, I was entrusted with significant responsibilities, such as managing an EU-level Data Space project. By the time my apprenticeship ended, I had earned the trust of the entire team and was hired as a full member.

Memorable moments and major milestones

One of the most defining moments for me was being asked, during my apprenticeship, to take on the leadership of the EU Data Space project. This was a huge vote of trust, and the role even gave me the opportunity to travel internationally for the project. Moments like this have shown me the value of Headai’s open culture and mutual trust.

Our team is a wonderful mix of multicultural expertise and diverse backgrounds. While our headquarters are in Pori, we operate globally. I often find myself surrounded by brilliant minds, learning something new every day, and receiving just the right amount of challenge to keep growing and improving.

Learning and growing in a trust-based culture

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned this year is the importance of trust. Reflecting on my past workplaces, I now see how toxic environments can erode confidence and hinder growth. At Headai, the trust I’ve been given has allowed me to flourish.

Headai has also deepened my understanding of technology and artificial intelligence. I’ve delved into the fascinating world of cognitive AI, learning about its different forms and applications, and I’ve had the chance to apply this knowledge in my work. I’ve also been able to bring my unique perspective from a service-oriented background to the team, enriching the overall dynamic with fresh ideas.

Looking ahead

My first year at Headai has been full of growth and insights, but I’m already looking forward to what the next year will bring. My goal is to solidify my place in the company and focus more on product development in my role. I’m especially excited about the upcoming launch of our own Headai Cloud service, new projects and events, and the opportunity to travel internationally.

The first year was fantastic, but I know the second year has the potential to be even better. And of course I can’t wait for Headai 2.0 (our team day). The first Headai was a blast and this year it’ll be even bigger. 2025 is going to bring new opportunities, challenges, and learning experiences. I’ve learned that courage and curiosity have been my keys to success so far – and I intend to keep moving forward with those same principles.

Written by:

Essi Kemppainen

Growth & Development
Specialist

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