Meet Jane Seppälä, a data engineer at Norrin. Jane’s path to her current employment has been an unexpected one. But to her, it’s all part of the plan.
With the rapid pace of data and AI innovation, business and technology are more interconnected than ever. As organizations navigate the transformation, those who can align business strategy with technological progress are becoming indispensable.
Jane Seppälä, PhD, is one of them. Jane works as a Data Engineer at Norrin, but she’s taken a unique path to get there. With a background as both a management and IT consultant, and a doctorate in Industrial Engineering and Management, her career shift would seem surprising to some. But not to her.
“I’m interested in bridging the gap between business and technology, and this is a step on that path. You can’t truly understand data and AI without hands-on experience.”
She tells us how her previous experiences have shaped her ideas of how and why businesses often fail to realize the full potential of technology.
“I’ve seen firsthand how lack of understanding and communication can cause issues on both sides of the table. My goal is to be a translator between business and technology, while being able to deliver practical AI solutions as well.”
Jane’s interest in AI runs deep. She wrote her doctoral thesis on the organizational effects of algorithmic systems and AI. At Norrin she has supervised a master’s thesis on the ethical use of AI.
“AI is an enormous phenomenon that will impact every aspect of our lives. It feels good to be a part of an organization that is enthusiastic about AI but also acknowledges its complexities.”
From a doctorate to a Data Engineering F.E.C and Norrin
After completing her doctorate, Jane wanted to move from theory to practice – to work hands-on in the frontlines of applied AI. That drive led her to pursue a new career in data engineering through Skillio’s F.E.C program, which brought her to Norrin.
At Norrin Jane has a versatile role. She builds data pipelines, defines data products and works closely with clients. She also mentors junior team members while continuing to learn from senior architects.
“To be honest, I was worried that I might get bored with data engineering. But it’s proven to be much more engaging than I expected. I get to apply my previous experiences in a more practical role and that’s exactly what I want to do.”
Applied AI is still an emerging field, and at Norrin Jane feels she’s at the cutting edge. Apart from client work, she’s also a part of an internal AI guild that works on developing Norrin’s vision for how applied AI will transform the world.
“It’s exciting to work with so many people who are passionate about the same things. I feel we are at the forefront of something big.“
At home, Jane enjoys spending time with her husband, exercising and reading. A former track and field athlete and coach, she finds running an especially good way to relax.
“I like fiction. It sharpens your language skills and opens you up to new perspectives. As for running, it helps me organize my thoughts – or if I run hard enough, I can clear my head entirely”, Jane says with a smile.
We are constantly looking for Data Engineers and Data Architects to join Norrin! Check our open positions.
