Alumni interview with Nicola Lindertz and Johanna Karanko: “Hanken has provided a good foundation for an international career”

Lindertz, who graduated from Hanken in 1994, majored in international business management. Karanko graduated a year earlier and majored in international business administration. Both have family members who worked in the foreign service, which likely influenced their decision to apply for the Kavaku diplomatic course at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland a while after graduation. Lindertz has so far worked in places such as Los Angeles, Japan, and Paris, while Karanko has been stationed in locations like Hong Kong, New York, and Venezuela.

“Hanken has provided a good foundation for an international career. A key task of an ambassador is to promote the interests of Finnish companies, so it is useful to be able to relate to the needs and logic of companies”, says Lindertz. 

“Hanken has given me not only basic knowledge but also an economic mindset. An embassy is a bit like a subsidiary of the Finnish state; you need to take care of personnel and budget issues, among other things. Hanken is also a pioneer when it comes to co-operation with companies, and one of my best study experiences was when we worked with Kone”, says Karanko.

Lindertz notes that the language studies are also a strength at Hanken.

“It is thanks to studying Spanish for four years at Hanken that I am in Argentina today.”

Business opportunities in the forestry and mining industry

Both Lindertz and Karanko point out that there are many opportunities for Finnish businesses to establish themselves in different sectors in South America.

“Brazil, which currently chairs the G20 and next year the BRICS+, will become the eighth largest economy in the world this year. Finnish high technology is helping Brazilian companies to become more competitive, and 80-90% of the machinery used in forestry and in paper and pulp mills in Brazil comes from Finland”, Karanko says.

She also highlights business opportunities in the Brazilian mining industry and the critical minerals needed for modern technology. Finnish education and digital healthcare are other areas of interest in Brazil.

“As an ambassador, I have the opportunity to open doors for Finnish companies, for example by organising meetings with ministers or global business leaders”, Karanko says.

Argentina, too, has many critical minerals, but also large food exports and energy resources. These are all sectors where Finland can offer technology, but Argentina has some economic challenges, says Lindertz.

“Argentina is the third largest economy in Latin America and a G20 country, so all the prerequisites are there, but the economy has been complicated for decades. Now the country has a new president who is pushing hard to reduce the state's influence in the economy. An important task is to keep up with the situation and help the Finnish companies operating in the challenging market”, says Lindertz.

She also emphasises Finland's unique bilateral relationship with Uruguay thanks to large Finnish investments in the forestry sector. In Paraguay, too, there are interesting projects in the forestry sector that the Embassy is helping to promote.

“Keep your eyes open to the world”

Both Lindertz and Karanko look back on their time studying at Hanken with warmth and agree they have made networks and friends for life. They encourage today's students to cease the opportunities.

“Keep your eyes open to the world and help maintain the international networks that Finland and our companies need”, says Lindertz.

Karanko tells the students not only to enjoy their studies, but also to go to parties and meet people from other intakes and to use the international opportunities Hanken offers.

“I wouldn't have the career I have today if I didn't go on exchanges or study languages. Languages other than English are needed in the international arena. Finland is a small country, and we need to internationalise.”

An ambassador usually spends three to four years in the post before returning to Finland or moving on to another country.

“After three years, you start to feel restless, and it’s time to move on. But afterwards, I often miss the country and wish I could have stayed longer”, says Karanko.

Lindertz says that changing postings energises and keeps you interested.

“It's great to be able to represent Finland, a country with good values and a lot of knowledge, in different parts of the world.”

Text: Jessica Gustafsson
Photo: Gustaf Hafström

In this article series, we interview Hanken alumni. Do you know someone you think we should interview? Or do you want to volunteer yourself? Email us with tips at alumni@hanken.fi.