As someone who is privileged to experience both the corporate world and the thrills of being an entrepreneur, today I want to share my story of how I used my practical training opportunity that is presented by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) to take a big step toward my lifelong goal and unlock my hidden superpowers. My name is Buddhi Piumantha, a proud student of the Hospitality Management degree at SAMK.
I want to start my blog post by addressing the immense support that I received throughout my studies from day one, from my university, and I want to give a big shoutout to all the professors/ lecturers who helped me come this far. I must specifically mention professor Heini Korvenkangas.
Humble Beginnings and Big Dreams
As someone who comes from a humble beginning, I always wanted to achieve my dreams despite any challenges ahead of me. After finishing my advanced level studies, I started my bachelor’s degree at SAMK in 2020. While gaining valuable knowledge from SAMK’s excellent study program, I began to explore the opportunities presented by SAMK and being a higher education student.
The idea of having my company always lived with me from a very young age, but I was not able to see any progress or had any hope until I presented my idea in a tutor discussion. I remember from that day; I always wanted my dreams to become reality. In that discussion with my mentor, I heard a few valuable pieces of advice that stuck with me until today, motivating me to work even harder to make my dream a reality.
Practical Training – A Time Travel Experience
I always wanted to explore. By nature, I consider myself a risk-taker, which is why I always wanted to do and think outside the box. After completing my degree for two successful years, I was presented with the opportunity to select and do my practical training. Even though now I mention it as an ”opportunity,” at the time, I was furious and thought this was a waste of time and I should probably avoid it at all costs.
But as time goes by, I now realize the real opportunity it presents to a new student — a student who wants to find their passion and gain valuable knowledge. Practical training, if I have to describe it, is like ”time travel”. If you can plan this and have an idea of what you really want to do, this is a great opportunity where you can see your future self — not only just in your career but also this is immensely valuable for your personal life.
Doing My Practical Training in the Corporate World
My breakthrough, which I consider as jumping from an unskilled labor worker to actually becoming a valuable candidate for any company, was in 2022. For the first time, I wanted to complete the first half of my practical training as a shift manager at a sushi restaurant. This was the field I had the most experience with at the time, and I absolutely loved working with people, physical labor, and enjoyed being a good customer servant.
Together with my professor, we developed a plan to achieve the desired requirements and my personal goals from this position. This was the first time that I enjoyed being given this much responsibility and having the faith of upper management. This was a fascinating experience for me. I enjoyed all the responsibilities that pointed toward me, being in that position and being directly involved in the decision-making process gave me a big confidence booster. I was able to ensure collaborative measures with other business owners to have their full belief in my company and in me.
How My Extra Activities Affected My Career Life
Even though I was working part-time to sustain myself while studying, I always found time to do the things that I love. I was an active member of my university. At the time, I was one of the first members to start the SAMK Ambassador program. With a very busy timetable, I somehow managed to have time to participate in the ambassador program and share my experience with other students who are eager to learn interesting facts about Finland and overall student life in Finland. In there, I was working with SAMK professionals and was able to talk to many students who are looking to make decisions on their higher studies. While doing so, we participated in various events, running social media marketing programs to showcase the value of SAMK.
Not only that, I was also an international tutor. I loved helping others and thought this was the perfect way to do it. This was inspired by my tutors who helped me when I started my journey in Finland and at SAMK. I still remember how they treated me when I had no idea about this whole thing. I remember my first day when they brought me a small package containing Finnish traditional food and beverage with a very heartwarming note on it. I consider I had the best tutors, Milla and Roosa. They inspired me to do the same thing for other international students because the excitement they gave me with that small gesture made me rethink how to approach this world.
Also, one of the pivotal moments during my studies was joining the SAMK EduTravel agency’s of a new VR travel project as a social media marketing coordinator. I am privileged to have this position even today. For the first time, I experienced a significant change in my career and responsibilities on a job.
At the time, SAMK EduTravel was readjusting its marketing strategies. This project was being tested at the time. This position helped me harness my social media skills. I always believed social media is a great tool if used for beneficial purposes. I learned a few skills as a social media marketing coordinator, even though it was not the primary reason I was given this position. It was my passion and self-belief of ”I can learn anything” that landed me this opportunity.
After finishing my project successfully, this whole experience, combined with other activities and my overall career and life experience, changed my vision, mission, and values forever. I have learned and improved myself a lot. This was the time my inner self and confidence wanted to move toward something I had wanted to do for a long time but couldn’t take action on.
Taking a Huge Step and Chasing My Lifelong Goal
While facing difficult times in the corporate world, I was not satisfied with doing the same thing over and over. With all these previous experiences and high self-esteem, I was constantly thinking about improving myself. As wise people say, ”When destiny meets — no matter how much we try to avoid it — our destiny will be our destiny”. I found myself shattered and heartbroken after hearing the devastating news that my HR team informed me of. My company was facing serious financial problems and was starting to implement a recovery plan, and our branch was selected to close down.
At the time, I had put so much effort and time into my responsibilities. Not only did I complete my responsibilities as a shift manager, but I also did social media marketing using my own time. This was because I was passionate about my career. I always wanted to learn more and continuously improve. I was able to form a partnership with the K-Citymarket manager and launched several offering programs which distributed equal value for both of us. Despite these efforts, I was left with many questions.
Even though my company requested that I move to another location with a better position and salary, my intuition kept thinking about my future. Now, I am almost finished with my degree, having studied social media marketing for almost half a decade. My level of skill in marketing and the implementation of strategies has grown significantly. Even though the job was ending and I was inches away from unemployment, I gathered myself and stayed positive during the storm. Not only that, I used this storm to sail straight toward it by making a bold decision that changed my life forever.
I used this chance as a stepping stone to achieve my lifelong goal of having my own company. As I said earlier, I had plenty of experiences in different fields, different positions. I was lucky to work with many professionals, loved and trusted by leaders, and had immense confidence in my abilities. That’s when I lost my job, I booked a one-way ticket to Italy, and along with my brother, I co-founded my company ”SanzenoServizi,” which aims to provide cutting-edge social media solutions for businesses and influencers.
The Reality of Becoming an entrepreneur
The idea of this was always in the discussions with my professor. I was looking to add value to my business and bring it to the next level. That’s when I decided to do my other half of the practical training for my own company. My teacher gave me amazing mentorship throughout my journey, and this was no different. We were able to find solutions for many questions that I had before I started the second half of my practical training.
After presenting my idea and plan for doing my practical training at my own company, my plan got approved. Since then, it has been an amazing journey which I enjoyed the whole process of. It was filled with ups and downs, happy and sad moments, wins and losses. Most of all, it was not easy being in this position.
I remember my professor Heini Korvenkangas always advised me that I needed more experience so I could have smooth sailing when I walked into the real world to face day-to-day challenges. At the time, I couldn’t see any good reason to believe her words, but now I understand all the problems, challenges, and excitements that are presented day to day toward me.
Key Takeaways
As someone who has accomplished things in life that matter the most, I would like to profess and give away my best and favorite things I learned throughout my journey. I want to encourage you, if you believe you can do more, go for it. I didn’t know everything when I started, and even though I am not yet at my desired position, at least I know where I am heading and I was able to realize my potential.
Always ask if you do not know; that is why having a mentor and listening to their advice is so important. You never know who may help you in your hardest time. People are not always who you think, but someone will help. Taking a risk when you can is always a good idea. When an opportunity presents itself and you miss it, it may be gone forever.
In conclusion, I was able to overcome many challenges that presented themselves in my life. I achieved things that nobody thought I would. I believed in myself in a way that even surprised me. I faced adversities, betrayals, and heart-breaking moments throughout my journey. But I was also lucky and grateful to receive so much help from unexpected people. I received love and care, praises and support.
This journey has been filled with thrilling moments, and I am enjoying every moment of it. No matter what your dreams are — career or life, becoming an entrepreneur, climbing the corporate ladder, becoming a good person, artist — do what makes your soul happy, and everyone should believe that it is possible.
I want to finish my blog post with one of my favorite quotes:
”It is amazing what you can achieve when you set your mind to it. If there is no rain, there is no rainbow, and eventually all waves settle. So, keep believing and keep trying.”
Text and photos: Buddhi Panambarage, final year International Tourism Management student