Laura Valerius once believed her future lay in the equine world, as a passionate horse enthusiast and international competition groom. Alas, her career took an unexpected turn. Nearly 20 years later, she reflects on the steps that have kept her inspired and thriving at the same company.
Sometimes a seemingly random choice shapes your entire career. This is what happened to 36-year-old Laura Valerius almost two decades ago when she applied for a summer job at her mother’s suggestion. What started as a temporary position became the foundation for her long career at Posti, where she took her first professional steps. Posti has offered Valerius countless opportunities to grow her career and learn new skills – lessons that have benefited her even outside of work as she runs her own business.
Discover Laura Valerius’ career story through three pivotal moments:
1. A summer job as a mail sorter opened a diverse career path
‘In 2005, I thought I’d only work one summer as a mail sorter at Helsinki Postal Center. At the time, I was convinced my future would involve horses. I was an avid equestrian and traveled internationally as a competition groom. However, I opted to pursue vocational studies in business instead of continuing in the equine field, as I wanted to stay in the Helsinki area. Along the way, I found myself increasingly drawn to my work at Posti.
After that summer, I stayed on as an evening and weekend sorter. It was easy and flexible work. As I progressed in my studies, I realized I wanted more challenges at work, so I applied to Posti’s customer service in 2007. It complemented my studies perfectly. I’ve always sought challenges and opportunities to learn in my work, and I’ve made sure to express this clearly.
After four years in customer service, I was ready for something new. In 2011, I moved to the Claims Department as a Service Advisor. I found investigating legal terms and conditions fascinating and wanted a deeper understanding of Posti’s processes, products, and services. This period was perhaps the most interesting phase of my career, and I stayed in the Claims Department for several years.
I’ve always enjoyed training others and sharing my knowledge. In 2013, I became a Team Trainer in the claims department. I developed work instructions, refined processes, participated in projects, and trained both new and seasoned employees. As a Trainer, I worked with a variety of people, from Service Advisors to business leaders, which taught me an incredible amount. There were many rewarding moments in this role. It felt great to train colleagues to a level where they could work independently and excel at their jobs.
Although I pursued a different career, I never left horses behind entirely. I still groom horses in my free time and serve on the board of an equestrian club. Working at Posti fit my life better. After a couple of years, I secured a permanent position, which allowed me to buy my first home.’
2. The support of loved ones and the lessons learned at work encouraged the establishment of a personal business
‘I’m a multitasker, and a regular workday alone isn’t enough for me. In addition to horses, I’ve always loved being in the kitchen. My mother has always been passionate about cooking and baking, and I wanted to learn from her. She involved my brother and me in the kitchen as kids, and my enthusiasm persisted into adulthood. I started catering for my own parties and later made cakes for friends. Encouraged by my loved ones, I eventually founded my own bakery business, Pullukka Kakut, in 2019.
My background in business studies, support from family, and insights into the corporate world gained at Posti made starting the bakery easier. As a trainer, I had collaborated with colleagues across the company, gaining a wealth of new perspectives and skills. These experiences significantly boosted my confidence. Thanks to all this, I felt ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship. I’m glad I did because I now run a successful business alongside my full-time job.’
3. Advancing to a lead role fulfilled a career dream – and began a new learning journey
‘In 2019, Posti underwent an organizational restructuring, and my title changed to Sales Coach. My new role focused on helping customer service representatives find better solutions for our clients, creating added value. Not long after, my career took its most exciting turn yet.
As a trainer, I had long observed Team Leaders at work and found their roles fascinating. My supervisor was aware of my interest, and in 2020, I was offered my own team to lead. It feels like my learning journey has only just begun.
I’ve received immense support from my supervisory colleagues, and Posti has provided ample training opportunities, from single sessions to comprehensive programs. For example, all Team Leads at Posti complete a course on empathetic leadership, which has brought me added motivation.