The summer interns Axel & Johanna
It’s one of the hottest days in August, and Axel and Johanna are hard at work securing a steel I-beam at Herrfors’ Kolppi hydropower plant.
Both are spending their second summer working on Herrfors’ hydropower team. Since they’ve handled similar tasks before, they’ve gained a solid understanding of how hydropower plants function and what routines the job entails.
“This work requires precise skills, and learning them takes time. Now that we’ve been here longer, we get to do many tasks independently—and that’s really fun!” says Johanna.
“We have weekly recurring tasks, like maintenance rounds at all the hydropower plants, which we’re doing today. Otherwise, we get our daily assignments in the morning when we arrive and take care of them throughout the day,” she adds.
“One of the best parts about working at Herrfors is the combination of freedom and responsibility. Our supervisors trust us to get the job done—and to do it well!” Axel adds.
“The supervisors are also really great at answering questions and explaining new things. And you can always get help when you need it,” Johanna points out.
During the academic year, Johanna studies electrical and automation engineering in Vaasa, while Axel studies energy and environmental technology at Arcada in Helsinki. Both enjoy work that relates to their fields of study.
“One especially fun day was when we replaced a sensor in Kimo. Anything that connects with my studies is always the most interesting!” says Johanna.
Axel agrees:
“My favorite days are when we do PLC programming. That’s when I really feel like I’m learning something relevant to my studies.”
They both emphasize that the summer job at Herrfors has been diverse and educational.
“And it also allows for creativity,” Johanna adds. “Sometimes we have to come up with solutions to unexpected situations—like when a heavy grate fell into the river. Sure, we could’ve tried to lift it by hand, but it would’ve been exhausting! So we tied it to a car and pulled it up that way!”
“Yeah, this job is incredibly varied!” Axel continues. “No two days are the same—and that suits me perfectly. One day we might be releasing fish into the Ähtävä river, another day we’re sitting inside a turbine 30 meters underground cleaning the brakes, and the next we’re swimming in the river on our lunch break. It’s a lot of fun!”.
Why Apply for a Summer Job at Herrfors?
When asked if they would recommend a summer job at Herrfors to others, they almost answer in unison:
“Yes!”
“I’d recommend it to someone who enjoys physical work and doesn’t mind getting a bit dirty,” says Johanna with a laugh.
“And to someone who likes being outdoors!” adds Axel.
“Yes, you’re outside all the time—in rain, snow, or 30-degree heat!” Johanna clarifies.
“And you get to work by the water every day, which is really amazing,” Axel concludes.
Interested in a Summer Job at Herrfors?
Every summer, Herrfors hires motivated students for their dream summer job. We mainly offer roles for technical students, but we also need help in our finance, marketing, and customer service departments.
You could work in Pietarsaari, Kolppi, or Ylivieska, and each year we offer a wide variety of summer jobs. The duration of employment can range from 1 to 4 months, typically between May and August.
All summer positions for 2025 have now been filled. Thank you for the overwhelming interest! Recruitment for summer 2026 will open at the end of the year. We warmly welcome your application then!
Haluatko sinäkin herrforsilaiseksi?
Jos haluat monipuolisen, hauskan ja merkityksellisen työn on Herrfors juuri oikea työpaikka sinulle! Etsimme inspiroituneita ja motivoituneita tekijöitä, jotka haluavat olla mukana luomassa kestävämpää tulevaisuutta.
