Software development with passion

Matti Syrjänen moved from Australia back to Finland and is now putting his talent to use by developing top-tier software at Roima’s Pori office.

Matti joined Roima in March 2019 straight after completing his military at the Finnish Defence Research Agency where he worked as a programmer and research assistant. He served his compulsory military conscription later than most male Finns because he moved to Australia right after graduating from upper secondary school.

Matti is now working at Roima’s Pori office in the Product Management Customer Solution Team. His team designs solutions for customers’ master data management needs.

Let’s get to know Matti a little better!

So, you are a returnee from Australia. What did you do while you lived there?

I lived in Adelaide for eight years and completed the bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Flinders University. I worked as a CAD drafter at a company that designs solutions related to power distribution infrastructures and lighting. Our company was small, but the customers were big, including oil and utilities companies. For instance, one of our biggest customers was a company responsible for all the power lines in the entire state of South Australia. My main tool was Autocad, but occasionally I would also use Autodesk Inventor. I learned by doing; I familiarized myself with the standards and was mentored by experienced colleagues. The work required careful attention which suits me well. Usually we also had tight deadlines to meet.
How would you compare the working cultures in Finland and Australia?

Even though white-collar culture is still going strong in Adelaide, the atmosphere at our office was quite laid-back. Many worked long hours, but we also had fun together. For example, during the Adelaide Cup harness racing event, the tradition was to watch the race, eat and drink together while placing bets. Also, here at Roima, you see people at our offices even after business hours, but on the other hand, many also work remotely quite often.
What does your typical workday include?

Every morning begins with a cup of coffee. Software development and problem solving speak to my most authentic self. As my main languages, I use Java and JavaScript. Lately, my workdays have varied a lot: I often attend remote meetings with colleagues from different offices, and I also participate in customer meetings to discuss their needs regarding CodeMaster. We always listen to the customer in order to deliver the best possible solution for their requirements.
If you were not a software developer, what would you do?

I could do something related to music. I have played the violin since I was five so that is my main instrument, but I also play the guitar and the piano. Then again, a career in academia could also be an option for me, as I find doing academic research quite interesting.