As the year is nearing its end, I can't help but wonder where all the time went. This has been
one of the most hectic, fun, and unique years of my life so far. Every year, I find myself
thinking that nothing could possibly top the previous one, but this time, I think I might actually
mean it. I think that being on a board, regardless of the student organization, is a great
experience. But I genuinely believe that the KY Board is one of the best experiences you can
have.
Time is a funny concept during a board year. Somehow, everything seems to move
incredibly fast and painfully slowly at the same time. Some weeks feel like months, yet
suddenly you realize that an entire year has almost passed. And while I might be a little
biased, I think we've had the best board possible. I wouldn't trade this group of people or the
experiences we've shared for anything.
After spending the past few years immersing myself in KY culture through a subcommittee, a
subject club, and organizing various bigger and smaller events along the way, I found myself
wondering whether I still had the energy and motivation to give one more year to this
amazing community. Looking back now, I'm incredibly glad I did.
Of course, spending so much time working on things you're passionate about can
sometimes be a balancing act between enjoying your free time and burning yourself out.
There have definitely been long days and busy weeks, but at the end of it all, I couldn't be
happier with my decision.
As Corporate Relations responsible, I've had the opportunity to work on something that I
genuinely enjoy. And while I can't speak for everyone, I would argue that Corporate
Relations is one of the best roles on the board. At least for me. Meeting different
stakeholders, visiting companies, negotiating partnerships, and trying to convince people
why supporting KY is a worthwhile investment has been both challenging and incredibly
rewarding. It's a role that combines working with people, problem-solving, and finding new
opportunities and ideas to pursue.
I think I've learned a lot during this year, but perhaps more than anything, I've learned about
myself. While the core responsibilities of my role weren't entirely unfamiliar to me, being on
the board has taught me so much more than just how to manage partnerships or negotiate
deals. I've learned about working with different kinds of people, dealing with uncertainty and
sometimes accepting that not everything will go exactly as planned.
I've also learned how important the people around you are. Even the busiest and most
stressful days become a lot easier when you're surrounded by people who share the same
enthusiasm for what you're doing.
And I think that's what makes a board year so special. It's not just about your own projects
you complete or the results you achieve. It's about the people you get to share it all with and
the memories you make along the way.
So my advice to anyone thinking about applying for the board? If you care about this
community, if you have ideas about how to make things better, or even if you're just curious
about what you could bring to the table, then you should do it. That's already a pretty good
reason to apply.
Because at the end of the day, a KY board year is a year like no other. And while it might feel
endless at times, it's over before you know it.
Jaakko Martikainen
Corporate Relations, Premises, Ownership Steering
jaakko.martikainen@ky.fi
TG @JaakkoMartikainen
