Valtteri Taponen’s journey to the customer support team at Star IT is a career story of relentless self-improvement and determination. Valtteri, 28, lives in Pyhtää and currently works remotely – a perfect example of how Star IT’s fluent digital employee experience really functions. His career has been diverse, with each experience building his extensive IT skillset.
“I’ve been around computers since I was a kid – I used to take them apart and was always curious about how they worked”, Valtteri recalls. His interest in IT led him to study at the South Kymenlaakso Vocational College in Hamina, where he graduated with an IT degree in 2016. During his studies, he interned at Veikon Kone in Kotka, where he got his first taste of customer service. “At Veikon Kone, I learned the importance of customer service and IT support. It was an excellent training ground – it provided a solid foundation for my future.”
Lessons from the Military Service: Technical Skills and Problem-Solving Abilities
After school, Valtteri was called to military service, where he served in the Signal NCO School. This experience became an essential part of his IT career. “The Signal NCO School was an interesting and challenging period”, Valtteri recalls. “It offered a unique perspective on telecommunications and technical communication, which developed my IT skills in a whole new way.”
The military also taught Valtteri organizational skills and problem-solving abilities, which have been valuable in his customer support roles. “The technical skills and practical problem-solving I learned there have been beneficial in every IT role I’ve taken on”, he explains.
A Varied Work History and Bold Attitude
Valtteri’s career path hasn’t been straightforward, and he has embraced a range of work opportunities. After the military, he worked as a curb installer at a friend’s company and took on demolition work at another. “I’ve always been ready to take on any job, even if it wasn’t directly IT-related. Customer service skills have been helpful in all my jobs”, Valtteri says.
Returning to IT and a Bold Move to Estonia
Through new experiences, Valtteri found his way back to the IT field, this time in a major IT company where he supported a large Finnish retail chain. This role came with a twist – the job was based in Estonia, but Valtteri took the opportunity without hesitation. “I went to Estonia boldly, even though living and working abroad were new experiences for me”, Valtteri shares.
After some time, the job requirements shifted, and he returned to Finland to work as a server specialist for another large Finnish retail company in a three-shift role. “In this role, I really got to dive into various systems and expand my database skills”, Valtteri describes his experience.
A Memorable First Impression of the Star IT Spirit at the Job Interview
Eventually, he was recommended by his colleague Janne for a job at Star IT, leading him to an interview there. “Janne and I had worked together before, and he recommended Star IT to me. After the interview, I truly hoped to get in – and luckily, I did.”
At Star IT, Valtteri works in first-level IT support, handling the IT needs of a major international Finnish company. The job is fast-paced, as there are many employees to support, and Valtteri is constantly busy solving daily IT challenges. Nonetheless, he enjoys the chance to help clients with their IT issues, focusing on quick, customer-centered service. “It’s important that customers feel they’re getting help quickly and professionally, regardless of age or skill level. Simplicity is key”, he emphasizes.
Valtteri’s proactive attitude has received considerable praise from clients. He recalls a situation where a used computer provided to a customer was unfortunately defective. Valtteri addressed the issue before the customer even asked for help, quickly arranging a replacement. “The customer gave feedback and thanked me for handling it before they even needed to ask”, Valtteri says.
Efficient Communication and Strong Team Spirit
At Star IT, Valtteri particularly values the team spirit and efficient communication within the work community. “Samu and I have a great team, and communication flows smoothly. Additionally, the commuting support is fantastic, as I travel from Pyhtää to the office about once a week.” Valtteri shares that he’s also pleased with the benefits the company offers and praises Star IT’s commitment to enhancing employee well-being. “I’ve been here for a little over a year, and I have nothing negative to say. The work atmosphere is excellent, and I feel supported in every situation.”
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