”If I had a mentor when I first moved to Finland, life would have been much easier. I didn’t have anyone to help. I made many mistakes, and it was so challenging that I even wanted to go back home.”
Aleksandra Karnakova, originally from Latvia with Russian roots, moved to Finland 15 years ago. Her early years were marked by uncertainty and isolation. But everything changed when she found a mentor. That experience transformed her life—and today, she is paying it forward as a mentor in the Future in Finland 2025 program.
Aleksandra’s mission is clear: to help young foreigners navigate fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions that often accompany relocation. “These feelings don’t disappear,” she explains. “Even with a stable job, you might feel you’re not doing enough. You will always need extra motivation.”
Why Mentorship Matters
Moving to a new country is stressful. “People who come here are often overthinking: Am I doing things right? Am I good enough?” Aleksandra says. A mentor—someone who is settled and calm—can make all the difference. “When you’re trying to integrate, it’s essential to have someone on your side who grounds you.”
For Aleksandra, living with purpose has been key. “If you have a purpose, you don’t get stuck. My purpose is to make an impact, and that’s why I started mentoring.”
Hot Topics in Mentoring
With her mentee, Aleksandra began with two main themes:
1. Empowerment, especially for women. “We are so prone to imposter syndrome. I shared my personal experience—how even after 15 years in Finland, I still have doubts about being good enough.”
2. Job searching and networking. They discussed how to leave a good impression and why, in Finland, responses or feedback can sometimes be scarce.
Always a Stranger?
Aleksandra’s story is unique—she didn’t come to Finland for studies but was headhunted for a job. “I already knew some Accenture colleagues in Finland, so I had a small network. That helped me find another job and shaped my career path from consultancy to industry. I worked at Outokumpu and then at Neste as an architect. I had solid career growth here.”
Her interest in mentoring began at Neste. “I realized my success wasn’t just because of me—I had good people around me. Some managers acted like true mentors, motivating and encouraging me.”
Being a minority shaped her resilience. “In Latvia, I was a minority by nationality and language. So moving here felt easier—I was already used to being a minority. I’m also a minority by gender.”
How Finland Has Changed
Aleksandra notes that Finland is more diverse now. “Fifteen years ago, I was often the only foreigner at work. Today, there are many. Attitudes have improved. People are nice here—maybe introverted, but if you keep a positive attitude, it helps.”
Her first mentor in Finland changed everything. “It gave my life a new angle. Some people are more open, some more closed, but there’s always someone out there who can help. It doesn’t have to be your manager.”
Lessons Learned
“I’m no longer terrified of unfamiliar places. I did it once, so I can do it again. It will be hard at first—it was hard for me—but mentoring made me who I am. I’m really glad and happy to be where I am. I’m doing well,” says mentor Aleksandra Karnakova.
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This article was written by Kaija Pohjala, a board member of Suomen Mentorit, who interviewed Aleksandra Karnakova.