Summer employees Sarah Asfar, Teemu Tähtinen and Valtteri Määttänen work in different roles at Auris. Sarah and Teemu work in gas distribution network supervision, while Valtteri is a plant operator at Mäntsälän Biovoima.
This is Teemu’s fourth summer at Auris, whereas Sarah and Valtteri are with us for the first time. Sarah is in her third year of energy engineering studies at Aalto University. Teemu will begin his second year of energy and environmental studies at Karelia University of Applied Sciences in Joensuu this autumn. Valtteri has completed a vocational qualification in the process industry.
The variety of network supervision makes the work interesting
Network supervisors keep our gas distribution networks operating by monitoring excavation work, carrying out annual and condition inspections, preparing work orders and staying in touch with customers. The role combines office and field work.
“My work includes monitoring the condition of the network, updating network information, coordinating operation and maintenance work, and communicating with contractors and customers,” Teemu explains.
The days are varied, and hardly any two are alike.
“During a day we might be out in the field inspecting the network, marking out pipe locations, or supervising maintenance and excavation work. At other times the work is more office-based, where I handle network documentation, permits and work orders. We also stay in touch with installers and others involved in operating the network,” Teemu says.
The energy sector offers opportunities to learn in practice
“At university, we have studied fluid mechanics, for example, and worked on problems involving pipe pressures. Here I have been able to see how the same phenomena appear in real networks. Connecting theory with practice has been really interesting,” Sarah says.
Teemu has also found it interesting to see how an extensive gas distribution network works in practice and how operation and maintenance activities affect the entire system.
Valtteri, too, has learned a great deal in his work at the biogas plant.
“The most interesting part of my work has been following the biogas upgrading process and learning about its different stages. During the summer I have learned, among other things, to drive a forklift and gained a lot of new knowledge about how a biogas plant operates,” Valtteri says.
Technical expertise, care and responsibility are central to a network supervisor’s work. Good interpersonal skills are also needed, because the role involves daily cooperation with installers, contractors and customers.
The work of a biogas plant operator calls for precision, patience and a willingness to learn. The tasks include assisting with plant maintenance and monitoring the feeding of pre-treated material and the process.
A good team makes work rewarding
The variety of tasks and a good working atmosphere have both been highlights of the summer.
“The best thing has definitely been the team. From my very first day, I felt welcome,” Sarah says.
“The atmosphere has been very open and encouraging, and I have been encouraged to ask anything without hesitation. Learning has been easy because help and advice are always available when needed. It is lovely to come to the office every day because the people here are so warm and wonderful.”
Teemu also praises the Auris team. “I have especially valued the knowledgeable and approachable people. The work environment is varied too, as the role takes me both to the office and into the field to see operations in practice,” he says.
“Getting to know new colleagues and gaining new experiences has been particularly rewarding. The varied work environment has offered opportunities to keep learning,” Valtteri says.
Summer work supports young people’s career plans
According to Teemu, the practical experience he has gained at Auris supports his goal of working as an energy-sector specialist. Sarah also feels that the summer job has reinforced her career plans.
“Physics and mathematics were my favourite subjects at upper secondary school, and I wanted to find a field where I could use them in practice. It was also important to me that the work would have a wider purpose. The energy sector felt like a good combination of technical expertise and a chance to make a tangible contribution to society and a sustainable future,” Sarah says.
“This summer job gives me important experience of the process industry and supports my professional development for the future,” Valtteri says.
Author: Sarah Asfar, summer employee at Auris Energia
Sarah works in gas distribution network supervision at Auris Energia in summer 2026 and studies energy engineering at Aalto University.