#AtoZfellow of the month: Verneri Keskinen

Who are you?

Verneri Keskinen

What do you do at AtoZ and how long have you been an #AtoZFellow?

I work on software development projects for clients, from planning and design all the way to implementation and everything in between. At AtoZ, I also occasionally interview candidates applying for developer roles. This autumn marks five years at AtoZ for me.

How did you end up at AtoZ?

I felt it was time for a career change and was looking for new challenges and diverse client projects. I came across AtoZ’s job advertisement for a Software Developer role and got the position through a surprisingly relaxed recruitment process.

What is the best part of your job?

The variety of client projects, developing software that has a meaningful impact on society, and the opportunity to continuously learn new things.

Share a technical fact or tell us what excites you in your field right now.

AI-powered tools that support software development are evolving at an incredible pace. I’m excited to see where they will take the software industry in the future.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve wished I could fly.

What skill would you like to learn next?

Building electric guitars. I’m actually quite close to learning it since I’ve already signed up for an electric guitar building course.

What song best describes your life right now?

It doesn’t necessarily describe my life at the moment, but Megadeth’s Trust has been playing in my head lately. It’s usually rock or metal that I listen to, although I’m pretty open-minded when it comes to music.

If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?

Anssi Kela. Simply because I’ve become more interested in music over the years, and he seems like a genuinely nice person. As a bonus, we could talk about Star Wars and KITT from Knight Rider until sunset.

What is the best thing about AtoZ?

The colleagues and the open company culture.

Tell us a surprising fact about yourself that most people don’t know.

My original education is in electronics. I’m trained as an electronics installer and hold an engineering degree in embedded systems and electronics. I actually ended up in the software industry by chance through a Java programming course.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I most enjoy spending time with my spouse, exploring restaurants or curling up at home to watch a movie. When I’m not with my spouse, I like playing video games and practicing guitar. I also go to the gym now and then, mainly focusing on strength training. It always leaves me feeling great.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

That’s a difficult one. Probably some kind of bird, because then I could fly. And preferably a large one, so I wouldn’t have to worry about bigger birds. Let’s say a bald eagle.

Finally, what’s your funniest memory from AtoZ?

It’s not directly work-related, but AtoZ’s summer parties have always been a lot of fun.

Any greetings for our readers?

Have a wonderful end of summer and a great autumn ahead!