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“ABB didn’t just offer me a job. They offered me trust".
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Anjan Bayalkoti

Project Engineer Intern, Distribution Solutions
Vaasa, Finland

​​​​​​When Anjan Bayalkoti moved from Nepal to Finland in 2021 to study Information Technology at VAMK in Vaasa, he was filled with excitement — not only about his studies, but about building a future in one of the most advanced and digitally driven countries in the world.

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“I applied to so many jobs… but no one even called back. It started to feel like my skills didn’t matter.”“I’d never seen snow before. I imagined Finland as this clean, beautiful, technologically advanced place. And it truly is. But adapting wasn’t always easy,” Anjan shares.

Like many international students, he soon discovered that getting a job in Finland — even a summer job in your own field — isn’t easy. Especially not when you’re new, don’t speak fluent Finnish, and are unfamiliar with the job market.

“I must have sent 75 to 100 applications during my studies. I applied everywhere — not just in Vaasa. Sometimes I got rejection emails. But most of the time, I heard nothing. The silence was the hardest part.”

Despite the setbacks, Anjan didn’t give up. He fine-tuned his CV, asked for feedback, and kept applying. He knew his skills mattered — he just needed someone to see it.

”I applied for so many jobs... but no one even called me back. I started to feel like my skills didn't matter.”
In the end, it finally paid off.

“When I got an interview invitation from ABB, I was so happy. But also really nervous. I thought, this is ABB — can I really do this?”

After a few anxious weeks, the email came: Anjan had been selected. He was offered a trainee position in ABB’s Distribution Solutions unit in Vaasa — his first IT job in Finland.

“ABB didn’t just offer me a job. They offered me trust. They saw me for who I am — not just where I’m from.”
Anjan now works as a summer employee in the same team. His daily tasks include creating system diagrams, configuring and testing devices, and soon, working more closely with SCADA systems.

“The school gave me the theory. But ABB gave me the real-world experience. I’m learning things I could never learn in a classroom — troubleshooting, testing, understanding real devices, even cybersecurity. It’s exciting.”

“I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up. But everyone here helps. They come over, explain how to do things, and guide me. It feels like real mentorship.”

In the summer of 2025, Anjan continued as a summer employee at ABB, working on system configurations, device testing, and SCADA-related projects, while having completed his studies in Vaasa and working on his thesis.

 


 

“Don’t lose hope. Rejection doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re learning. I always think of the person who invented the light bulb, Thomas Edison. He failed a thousand times before he succeeded.”
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Anjan believes the key is to keep improving and stay open to learning.

“Take feedback seriously. Build your CV. Keep going.”

And to employers?

“Give people a chance. Especially international students who are trying their best. We bring so much value — we just need someone to open the door.”


“This opportunity has changed everything. I think differently now. I feel more confident. I know I can contribute.”
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