Linda Uusi-Kerttula (B. Eng. Industrial Management and Engineering; MA, Multilingual Translation and Communication) joined NIT in autumn 2023. She started with a project in Rauma and now works on the site in Turku as a Project Engineer.
Project Engineer plays a vital role in ensuring the project success. ”I would describe my role as a combination of project management, technical expertise and communication”, Linda explains. “My role involves extensive collaboration and communication across the entire network, both internally within the project team and externally with subcontractors, suppliers, and the shipyard”. As the interaction happens with so many stakeholders, Linda emphasizes strong social skills: “You’ll need good negotiation skills and social intelligence, when working with such a wide range of partners”.
Linda sees that the wide shipbuilding network is the heart of the whole maritime industry. Ships are no longer built solely by the shipyard, but instead the role of shipyard is more of managing the entirety, while most systems are delivered by specialized companies of the network. “This network connects experts of different fields, and that’s the key to building highly competitive ships in Finland for the global market,” Linda says.
Currently Linda’s work tasks are focused on project management and working tightly with the Project Managers, but the scope can vary depending on the project. Her working days also include a lot of internal coordination and meetings. “The ability to work under pressure and prioritize is a key feature in this fast-paced work and environment, where changes are more of a rule rather than an exception.“
Strong learning skills are another valuable asset in her role. “You need to quickly learn new project specific details, and of course, that gets easier with experience”, Linda notes. She thinks that it is important to have systematic working methods and good documentation control. In large-scale projects and a wide network, overseeing the entire process is essential. “I follow the schedules and work phases of the project, monitor expenses and resources, report the progress, and control additional and modification works – all of these being part of my daily responsibilities.”
When it comes to teamwork, Linda highlights trust and open communication. “The teamwork functions best when everyone can openly share ideas and ask for help.” She sees that open communication also keeps clarity around roles and responsibilities within the team.
Linda values the versatility of the industry. “The best part of this job is how this industry connects project management, commercial aspects, technical expertise and team work.” She also enjoys the constant learning opportunities the industry provides: “With different types of ship projects, there’s always something new to learn.”
Early in her career, Linda recalls a senior colleague telling her that it takes witnessing at least two shipbuilding projects from start to finish, to truly get some sense of the field. “That has stayed in my mind, always reminding me that true understanding comes through experience.” This mindset continues to motivate her to take responsibility, follow projects closely from beginning to completion, and embrace continuous learning along the way.
