Matilda Storbacka “I like working with my hands” It’s no wonder that Matilda Storbacka is becoming familiar with the routines in the packing department at the Bjölas factory. It’s her fifth year as a summer worker at Rani. She says it feels good to have the experience and to be able to help newcomers adjust. –I appreciate the variety of the work. I study daily and spend a lot of time sitting in front of the computer, but here I work with my hands and move about. Working in two shifts also suits me. When I work in the evening, I have time to run errands or exercise before I go to work. –I appreciate the variety of the work. Matilda appreciates that, as a summer worker, she is given a lot of responsibility and can work independently. She is also glad that her colleagues trust her and are always available to answer questions. –Sometimes you must devise a solution yourself, and quickly, and that makes you more confident in your role, she says. It was Matilda’s father, who also works here, who introduced her to Rani. He knew the packing department employs people under the age of 18. For the first few summers, she rode a moped to work.Mathilda won’t pursue a career in the plastics industry as teaching and working with children are what she likes best. But that’s not to say that she doesn’t value the work experience, or appreciate having a summer job so close to her home. Those who are studying to become teachers have no possibility to do a summer job in their field, so have to think creatively. Today, she is on the evening shift at BW6. The machine is loaded with a light blue film, which is cut and assembled into large bags. At the far end, Matilda packs the finished products into boxes. While she isn’t certain about the exact use of the bags, she can tell from the order that they are hygiene products. She can view details of the order, such as the dimensions and quantity of the bags, on the machine’s control panel. – One of the good things about the job is that it helps clear my head. Packing involves a lot of mechanical work, which is just nice. Matilda recommends Rani to anyone looking for a good summer job. – But expect to sweat! When all the machines are running, it gets quite hot here in the hall. What is the best moment of the working week? – When the working day is over, and everything has gone as planned. I also really like the people in this department. Who: Matilda Storbacka. What: Summer worker in the packing department in Bjölas. Background: Comes from Småbönders, Terjärv. Studying to be a teacher at the Faculty of Education at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa. Just turned 22 years old. Likes: Strength training and driving a tractor. Her boyfriend and his family have a dairy farm and much of her free time is spent helping on the farm.
