Artikkelit
Young Crew provides New Opportunities for Professional Growth
Gathering active project management enthusiasts together was one of Project Professionals Finland goals for the year 2020. Despite the challenges Covid-19 pandemic brought, the new Young Crew core team is currently planning a variety of different activities and events for this year.
At the heart of the International Young Crew Network and at what we do, is the shared idea of people being the biggest value in every endeavour. We also think professionalism is developing by improving competence, responsibility and accountability.
Many of us can remember the first project that we were leading at the beginning of our careers. For me, the first touch to professional project management was a few years ago, when I joined a start-up company and started leading EdTech Product Development. Since then, I’ve enjoyed learning more about professional project management and realized the importance and impact of using right methods, tools and approaches in projects. Thanks to Project Professionals Finland and its opportunities, developing as a professional in project management is rather easy in all stages of professional career, in different industries and different life situations. For university students and people who have not worked decades on project management yet, Young Crew offers excellent opportunities in professional development and international networking.
Growing the Team
When writing this, for the past months, I’ve worked with the association office staff and other stakeholders on building the Finnish Young Crew core team again, after YC Finland being inactive for a couple of years. We have worked on raising awareness of Young Crew, its goals, purpose and possibilities nationwide.
Organizing an online event with the support of our Portuguese mentor and coach, Andreia Henriques, and the Young Project Manager of the Year 2019, Annina Laaksonen, was one of our first actions and it turned out to be a successful start for our YC 2020 project implementation last September. After that, we have held events both in Finnish and in English, and it looks like we are proceeding as planned, growing the new team every month.
Providing opportunities for all
According to the World Economic Forum the most needed working life skills in five years will be related to problem-solving, self-management, working with people and technology development. Under these, topics like leadership and social influence, innovation, creativity and flexibility are mentioned in the top 10 skills. When the new Young Crew Finland plans its future activities, these skills are emphasized on multiple levels: in the ways we operate as a team, and also in events and activities we plan. This ensures that we provide value for our members despite their background, experience, organization size or industry. We aim for encouraging and supporting young professionals working in different project management roles. Our target should also be reaching project enthusiasts outside traditional industries that utilise project management. Today, project management skills are beneficial in many roles, whether we are working in small, growing organization or well-established bigger operator.
One of the most common questions asked from us is “how do I need to be involved and what does Young Crew have for me?”. The answer is: we have something for everyone under the age of 35. For continuous learners who are interested in growing their network and participate in different kinds of activities related to project management, YC is the number one professional group to be a part of. Organizing competitions and attending regional, national and global events, gaining insights from multiple perspectives are all something that will help our members in their careers. We also provide something for those who just want to join relaxed afterwork gatherings now and then, without committing to volunteer or putting in hours of free time. One of Young Crew’s leading thoughts is diversity adds value. We welcome all interested to join our diverse and multi-professional crew in Finland.
Join us!
Our goal is to get more young professionals to join our forces this year. We operate in English and organize events also in Finnish. Please share our information with your own organization’s young talents!
Laura Luomanen-JaakkolaDirector of Professional Development
New Nordic School
Writer Laura Luomanen-Jaakkola is a member of association’s Board of Directors and the head of Young Crew Taskforce which aims to re-start YC activities as a vivid part of Project Professionals Finland’s operations.