“At SAMK, you feel welcome in the work community. The working atmosphere is safe, and you can always get help from your colleagues when you need it. We work together towards shared goals, without competing against each other. Students feel that they are genuinely cared for and that support is always available when they need it. At SAMK, open interaction is reflected in trust. Issues, even challenging ones, can be discussed directly.
Community spirit also develops your leadership skills. You learn to consider different perspectives and work with different kinds of people. Even though we have many different roles and tasks, everyone is treated equally – at SAMK, everyone is seen and accepted for who they are. Community spirit is an important part of SAMK’s image. When employees enjoy their work and students are satisfied, positive word spreads outside SAMK as well.”
Jussi Törmälä, Head of Teaching, Industrial Environment
“For us, responsibility is an integral part of everyday life and is reflected in concrete actions. Our operating culture is accessible and inclusive – equality and equal treatment are visible in everyday encounters, decision-making, and interaction. We see diversity as a strength, and the starting point of our work is each individual’s strengths. SAMK supports staff well-being by offering flexible work arrangements, a wide range of support services, and opportunities to take care of their own well-being. This creates a solid foundation for a sustainable and motivating work community.
For me, responsibility means supporting students’ learning, contributing to the well-being of my work community, and sharing my expertise to develop both the region and society. My work focuses on diversity and individual ways of learning and working, and SAMK provides high-quality, up-to-date tools for this. Diverse and multisensory teaching methods support different types of learners and encourage our students to grow into tolerant and responsible professionals.”
Kati Karinharju, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Well-being and Fine Arts
“When I started at SAMK, my area of responsibility was new, so I had the chance to shape my job description to suit myself. At SAMK, employees are trusted, and we are free to try things out, develop ideas, and do things our way. This motivates me and makes my work meaningful. I get excited about new things easily, and I enjoy sharing insights. Even if not everyone feels the same enthusiasm right away, I have found that we are allowed to try different things. Different perspectives make the work richer.
I meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I am constantly learning new things. I try to meet people as individuals, not based on generalisations or preconceptions. At SAMK, equality shows in the way everyone is treated equally, regardless of their background or position.”
Szilvia Simon-Nagy, International Relations Coordinator
