Hi! I’m Petra Leppänen, and I started as a trainee at ALM Partners in March 2023. At the beginning of 2023, I was seeking new challenges in my professional life and wanted to apply my business studies in practice. I decided to apply for a trainee position in regulatory reporting because I was particularly interested in the regulations affecting financial institutions and related reporting. I also believed that my major studies in insurance business and risk management would be beneficial in this trainee role.

I had a very positive impression of ALMP even before starting—I received an interview invitation the day after submitting my application, and the entire recruitment process was completed within the same week. During the interview, I felt there was a genuine interest in me, my life situation, and my accumulated skills. The interview wasn’t just assessing how my skills fit the role but also about what I could learn in this position. The positive first impression I got from ALMP was further reinforced during the interview, and I was fortunate to secure the trainee position in regulatory reporting.

At ALMP, trainees aren’t expected to know everything from the start; instead, all trainees receive comprehensive orientation to both the company’s operations and their team’s tasks. For instance, I didn’t know any SQL when I applied, and my studies had focused more on insurance institutions than banking regulations. However, this wasn’t an issue, as there’s a strong emphasis on onboarding new employees, and I was pleasantly surprised by the detailed and diverse orientation program we received. I was also pleased that we were introduced broadly to all areas of ALMP’s business, not just our own team’s tasks.

Although it might sound cliché. I’ve learned something new every day, and my interest in the intricacies of regulation has grown even more during the orientation period. I’ve become increasingly involved in our team’s activities and have gradually taken more responsibility. My skills have already developed in both theoretical regulation and practical reporting. As a company, I’ve appreciated the continuous drive for progress and improvement. Everyone at ALMP works together cohesively, and I’ve also valued the organization’s flat hierarchy and agility.

Even though I’ve been at ALMP for only a couple of months, I already feel that there’s genuine interest in employees and their well-being. This was promised in the job advertisement, and it sounded almost too good to be true. However, it’s indeed the case-there’s a real commitment to employee well-being, which is evident in the flexibility and comprehensive benefits offered. Additionally, working hours are flexible, and there’s no restriction on remote work; in fact, there’s a focus on making it work more effectively, with team virtual coffee breaks, for example. I’ve personally enjoyed the flexibility of extensive remote work options, including working from a cottage. Even my furry remote work companion, Sisu, has appreciated ALMP’s extensive remote work opportunities. 😊

I highly recommend applying to ALMP, as you’ll learn a lot here and be given many opportunities!