Career stories from PKO
At PKO, everyone has the opportunity to influence their own work tasks, develop their own professional skills, and advance their career in the direction they want. Discover the career stories of PKO employees here.
Aleksi Lankinen, Prisma Joensuu
Aleksi Lankinen worked as an instructor for young people with special needs during the summer of 2025.
Love at first sight – Sanna Tenhunen found her dream job in Nurmes
When Sanna Tenhunen first stepped into the lobby of Break Sokos Hotel Bomba, she had no idea that this moment would mark a turning point in her career. Now she looks back on that moment and the journey that led her to her dream job.
Supervisor of the Year Johanna Karhu is encouraging, fair and motivating
Regional manager Johanna Karhu, recipient of the Supervisor of the Year 2023 award, is known for her warm and encouraging management style that inspires improvement. Her team, known by the nickname Karhuryhmä, has proved that the best results are achieved through cooperation and a strong team spirit.
Helping people motivated Kari Kontkanen to work even after retirement
Kari Kontkanen is a 64-year-old systems specialist who has already retired after working for an impressive number of years. However, he decided to enjoy his retirement while working with people. He now works as a mobile advisor, travelling between outlets across the region and helping customers. It’s very fortunate we found each other!
First-class pub culture in Joensuu – the team behind the award-winning pub!
The Takatasku pub in the heart of Joensuu has been recognised as Bar of the Year, and now its personnel have also won the Team of the Year 2023 award. The recognition is a testament to the exceptional results produced through long-term work and a sense of community.
From Saudi Arabia to Prisma Joensuu
In the summer of 2024, Awab Amin A Rahman worked at Prisma Joensuu, where his duties included shelf stocking, pricing, customer service, and operating the checkout.
Work at PKO offers many opportunities for development
There are not many restaurants in PKO where Group Manager Outi Pohjoranta has not worked during her 25-year cooperative career. It all started as a summer employee at Prisma’s Lasipallo café. After turning 18, Outi started working at the restaurant Karelia, first as a ticket seller and then as a bartender.
Annika Mikkonen, Break Sokos Hotel Koli
Moments filled with laughter with co-workers after evening shifts crowned our eventful days of work
A Mobile Advisor Is a Hero of Everyday Life
Senior customers were very grateful for assistance and technical support for their smartphones
Ripatti to lead the legendary Kimmel Hotel
Pasi Ripatti was appointed as the manager of Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel as of 1 March 2024.
At Bomba Ukrainian Uliana and Maryna found community and a reason to smile
Two Ukrainians, Uliana Pomozybida and Maryna Chorna, fled from the war to Finland. They have quickly adapted to their new lives in Nurmes. Currently, the two women are studying Finnish, making friends with the locals and working at Break Sokos Hotel Bomba as hotel cleaners.
Eemeli Rantaeskola’s path from work try-out to sales manager at S-Rauta
Eemeli Rantaeskola from Joensuu found employment as a salesperson at PKO through a work try-out. At first, he stayed for the next summer holiday, and he did not stop working even during his university studies. Finally, through several changes, his career led him to S-Rauta Nurmes, where he is working as a sales manager.
Diverse professional expertise led Pia Hämäläinen to position of Service Manager
Pia Hämäläinen has studied for all the professions she dreamed of as a child, and she first became familiar with PKO while working in one of PKO’s restaurants during her studies. When Prisma’s first hair salon opened, she knew what to do. Eventually, after an eventful journey, her passion led her to become a manager.
Tiina Hytti followed her desire to return to PKO
Tiina Hytti serves customers at Prisma Joensuu’s S-Bank outlet with such passion and warmth that customers have referred to her as “Our Tiina” in their feedback. Tiina was away from Prisma for 14 years but fortunately for us, a desire to work for PKO again made her return to us.
Present day and Karelian tradition meet in Bomba thanks to Tiina Pikkarainen
A visit to the Bomba House or Trattoria Pielinen in Nurmes leaves no one cold! After all, the visitor is greeted by shift manager and PRO finalist Tiina Pikkarainen, whose warm, professional and genuinely Karelian touch can’t be missed. When will there be the next opportunity to visit Bomba?
Solid customer service at a hardware store’s cash desk
Heidi Sormunen, who works at Prisma Joensuu, is a solid customer service professional who serves our customers in many different places. You may have met Heidi at Prisma ABC, Prisma Rauta, the cash registers or perhaps when getting vaccinated!
Marketing expert Toni Simonen found their place
Toni Simonen from Joensuu has good things to say about his employer.