From internship to impact: How two Giant Leapers built their careers at Vaisala

At Vaisala, the Giant Leap internship is more than a summer job. It’s a launchpad. Every year, the program brings curious, ambitious students into real R&D, engineering, and business projects. And sometimes, those interns don’t just leave with experience. They come back.

Meet Karoliina Hakamaa and Lorenzo Riggi — two Giant Leapers nearly a decade apart, whose paths led them from summer projects to meaningful careers at Vaisala.

Come as you are, as long as you’re curious

Karoliina joined Giant Leap in 2015.  “I remember the slogan was ‘come as you are, as long as you are curious.’ That really resonated with me,” she says.  

Her project compared competitor technologies in industrial humidity instruments: testing, analyzing, and turning complex data into insights the global sales teams could use.

Lorenzo’s path began in 2024. “I had never heard of Vaisala before applying,” he laughs. “But reading stories from former Giant Leapers gave me the impression of a company where people actually get to create impact.”  

His internship focused on new use cases for mobile robots in Vaisala’s instrument factory, and even implementing one by the end of the project.

Despite the years between them, their first impressions match: curiosity is the common language here.

Learning that stays with you

Even after 11 years, Karoliina vividly remembers the intensity of learning. 

“I was surrounded by brilliant and supportive people who were always willing to help. I learned about sensors, our products, and the humidity measurement market, and how to present my findings to different audiences.”

Lorenzo describes a similar experience: “My internship was ambitious and enlightening, in a friendly environment of colleagues and supervisors. I learned a lot about project management — stakeholder communication, change management, and leading people through something new.”

Both left their internships with skills that would come in handy later.

When learning turns into real responsibility

For both of them, Giant Leap wasn’t just a summer job. It was their first chance to create real impact.

At the end of his internship, Lorenzo saw his work come alive: “Our mobile robots started delivering sub‑assemblies in the factory. Seeing something you designed move on its own… that’s when it felt real.”

Karoliina’s impact took a different form — long‑lasting and still valued years later. When she returned to Vaisala a couple of years after her internship, she learned that her Giant Leap results were still actively used. That was a strong signal that the work truly mattered.

After finishing her studies, she joined Vaisala as a Junior Scientist in sensor development. Today, she is a Senior Scientist, growing into her role as a technology owner and lead scientist.

Lorenzo continued at Vaisala immediately after Giant Leap as an Automation Engineer in the Smart Factory team, leading a new mobile robot development project based on opportunities he identified during his internship.  

“Today, that robot drives through our factory hallways every day,” he says. After one year, he was promoted to Senior Automation Engineer, now leading multiple robotics and automation projects.

People trusted me, and that changed everything

If there’s one theme they both return to, it’s trust.

“What surprised me most was how much freedom people have to make impactful decisions,” Lorenzo says. “And how genuinely friendly everyone is. People help each other, it’s not competitive.”

Karoliina felt that same welcome: “From day one, people made time to help, no matter how busy they were. They were interested in my work, and that made it meaningful.”

Curiosity, and the space to grow, are part of the culture.  

“We’re always learning,” Lorenzo adds. “There’s always something new to explore, whether it’s a new technology, data architecture, or a completely new way of doing things.”

So… should you apply?

Both say “yes” without hesitation.

“Apply, apply, apply,” Lorenzo emphasizes. “Even if you’re not sure you’re the perfect fit. You might be surprised.”

Karoliina agrees: “If you don’t apply, you’ll never know. And sometimes the best opportunities appear when you least expect them.”

Their advice for applicants

Be curious and genuine. “Don’t come in with a script,” Lorenzo says.

Think about what you bring. “Even small experiences matter,” Karoliina adds.

Show the connection between your studies and the role.

From a summer project to a meaningful career

In the end, both stories reflect what makes Giant Leap and Vaisala special: real projects, real support, and real opportunities for people who are driven by curiosity and want their work to matter.

“If you’re curious, driven, and enjoy solving real challenges with people who support each other,” Lorenzo says, “this is the place.”

Karoliina sums it up simply: “Vaisala is a high‑tech company with an important purpose. Great colleagues, strong R&D, and healthy work–life balance. It’s easy to recommend.”

Finally, three words to describe Vaisala?

Lorenzo: *Curious. Friendly. Enlightening.*

Karoliina: *Curious. Meaningful. Versatile.*

What is Giant Leap?

Vaisala’s Giant Leap Internship Program is your unique opportunity to take the lead in driving your own project for the summer, with the support of your supervisor and teammates. To help make your project successful, we invest in your learning with a structured training program, and provide a platform to showcase your skills and passions. Giant Leap is organized annually during the summertime. The application period takes place at the beginning of the year. Application period for 2026 is open until February 1. 

Open Giant Leap positions for 2026