Skip to main content

At Turva, a career path can begin from surprising backgrounds

Blogin kirjoittajat Anna ja Jill Turvasta
Written byAnna Kirjalainen and Jill Öhman
Blogin kirjoittajat Anna ja Jill Turvasta
Jumping onto a new career path can feel like a big step. Anna Kirjalainen and Jill Öhman know that well: their road to the insurance industry has taken them via ice cream kiosks, gardens, gas pumps, and restaurants.

In insurance, a financial background isn’t always necessary—what matter more are curiosity, eagerness to learn, and the courage to try something new. Anna worked at ice cream kiosks and plant nurseries in her youth. From there, her path led first to telecommunications technology, then to business studies, and on to sales at a research and consulting company. Later she advised entrepreneurs in the public sector and worked at a start-up. The pandemic made her reflect on the meaning of work and what kind of everyday life felt right.

Jill grew up in a merchant family. Daily life unfolded between store shelves and training programs aimed at business ownership. The recession of the 1990s led her to restaurant entrepreneurship, and after completing her military service she moved into running a gas station. Entrepreneurship felt natural, but the pull toward something new inspired her to apply for a position in corporate insurance sales.

A leap to Turva brought positive surprises

Anna hesitated to apply to Turva without previous insurance experience. A phone call with the recruiting manager eased her doubts, and she started as a Key Account Manager. In the role, she has been able to combine her versatile background and shape her work along the way.

Jill was contacted by Turva five years ago. Just one phone call with customer service convinced her about the company culture. Alongside corporate sales, she completed a Master’s degree and now works as a Partnership Manager, responsible for the key accounts team, broker services, and sales partnerships.

What connects different career paths?

Anna and Jill have walked very different, versatile paths. What unites them is the courage to try new things, the will to learn, and the ability to see opportunities. They didn’t join Turva as financial sector experts, but they found roles where their previous experience truly adds value. And best of all: after summer vacation, it genuinely feels good to return to work.

The authors work as Partnership and Key Account Managers at Turva Mutual Insurance Company.

Learn more about Turva as an employer.