The Exchange Centre for Scientific Literature captured my heart
I came to the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies (TSV) from the business world, where I worked with international partners. At the same time, I was completing my studies at the University of Turku with the aim of becoming a teacher. I supplemented my master’s degree with studies in information science, which led me to consider new directions for my career.
In 2009, I joined TSV’s Exchange Centre for Scientific Literature. It was a leap into the unknown, but I soon became fascinated by the worlds of science, library sector and international collaboration. I was responsible for the exchange of publications with regions including Australia, Russia and the rest of Eastern Europe. My experienced colleagues introduced me to TSV, the Finnish research community and our international exchange partners.
At the Exchange Centre for Scientific Literature, my language skills and my studies in library science and history were highly valued. Scientific literature and publication services gave me a new perspective on making research knowledge accessible and disseminating it.
The magic of science at Bookstore Tiedekirja
My next step took me to Tiedekirja, the bookstore run by TSV, where I started working as a sales secretary. I experienced many memorable encounters: I served customers from the Swedish region of Scania, doing my best to understand their dialect, and learned to use fax machines and cheques while assisting customers in the United States.
Over time, my work became increasingly focused on marketing the learned societies’ publications and improving their visibility, and I moved into the role of marketing planner. It felt like a natural continuation of where I had started: from working with international publications at TSV’s Exchange Centre to promoting Finnish scholarly publishing at Tiedekirja.
As Tiedekirja’s marketing planner, I work to increase the visibility of Finnish scholarly publishing. I promote the publications of learned societies in Finland and internationally and help them find new readers. You could say that I act as an “agent” for the learned societies: I help their publications and creators to increase visibility and sales. My work also includes planning events and campaigns, developing the online shop and collaborating with around 170 learned societies. Tiedekirja also participates actively in sales events, where you can meet me all around Finland. Working with publishers and learned societies makes my job especially rewarding.
Supporting learned societies
One of the best things about my work is the opportunity to explore different academic disciplines and Finnish research, and to represent both Tiedekirja and TSV’s member societies. Working with the societies continually reminds me just how important and valuable their work is—and my role is to support it.
TSV has given me many opportunities to develop my expertise. I have taken part in training in marketing, visual communications and online communications. Our workplace brings together a wide range of skills and personalities, and that is precisely what makes the work so rewarding. Our trade fair team is full of fantastic people, and the experiences we share help us get through even the longest days away from home.
Spreading the word about non-fiction
The most enjoyable part of my work is the people—both my colleagues and those I meet at events. At sales events, we receive direct feedback that is honest and friendly. Many people want to learn more about Tiedekirja and TSV and are surprised by the breadth of our work. TSV is highly regarded, and I want to do my part to strengthen its role in the research community and as an organisation that brings learned societies together. I have had the opportunity to talk about TSV at both formal events and informal gatherings—even to rock musicians with an interest in science. You could say that TSV truly rocks!
I have now worked at TSV for 15 years. I appreciate the way we are encouraged to develop our work and try new things. I have jokingly said that my goal is to make Tiedekirja Finland’s largest academic bookstore—and I think it may already be just that!
Although I never became a history teacher, I still feel that I teach in my own way: I spread the good word about non-fiction to everyone who wants to hear it—and even to those who do not yet know that they do.