Kristian Päiviö, spent the summer of 2024 working in maintenance at Millog Marine & Power’s Teijo site. He describes the shipyard as an interesting and unique workplace where every day brings something new.
I’ve been working as a summer helper at Millog Marine & Power’s Teijo site during the summer of 2024. I study building maintenance technology at Salo region vocational college. Before I had never thought that my skills as a pipeline technician, for example, would be applicable in a shipyard environment. I got excited about applying for a summer job at Millog Marine & Power when my classmate shared his positive experience from an internship here and recommended the place.
My job involves a variety of maintenance tasks on vessels at the shipyard and in the workshop. The best part of the job is definitely its diversity – every day is different. Over the summer, I’ve done things like welding bollards onto the ship’s hull, removing planks from the ship’s supports, and transporting materials with a forklift around the shipyard.
Gaining unique experiences
Working at Millog Marine & Power, I’ve had the chance to see many different types of vessels. We’ve worked on cable ferries, tugboats and even the ships of the Finnish Defence Forces, among others. It’s been incredibly interesting to get inside the vessels and learn more about their technology. It’s a unique experience that few people get to have.
One of the most memorable experiences this summer was replacing a sewage pump on to a ship. The job was done in challenging conditions – hot and confined space. I had to modify the piping by cutting corners into straight pipes and connecting them with heavy valves. Despite the difficulties, I successfully completed the job, and my colleagues praised the end result.
The toughest part of the summer has been getting used to early mornings. We start work at 7 AM. The day usually begins with changing into work clothes, grabbing a cup of coffee, and reviewing the day’s tasks before heading off to work. I’ve mostly worked with a partner, and the workdays pass quickly with good company. The work community at the Teijo site is very welcoming and it was easy to fit in. I also feel I can always ask any of my coworkers for advice or help without hesitation.
Valuable learning
In my mind this summer job is suitable for students from various fields. There are many professionals from different industries working at the shipyard, and I have learned many new skills over the summer, like welding. The work can be dirty and physically demanding, so it’s good to be prepared for that. Patience is also useful to keep looking for solutions to problems and not give up at the first sign of trouble.
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed my summer here and would highly recommend my job to others. I will start my final year of studies in the fall and I’m already looking forward to graduating and having the opportunity to work full-time. I could easily see myself continuing to work at Millog Marine & Power in the future, if possible.
Would you like to be part of our team at Millog Marine & Power? We offer challenging and versatile tasks and flexible career paths to further develop your skills. Read more here.