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2022-03-01 by Patrick Dudley

“MEET” series – an Interview with Antti Hakkarainen, Software Developer

“MEET” series – an Interview with Antti Hakkarainen, Software Developer
2022-03-01 by Patrick Dudley
What drew you to the field of mathematical Optimization and when did you join Weoptit?

I felt that in this field one could help with solving productivity issues in the economy and thereby help improve people’s lives. I joined Weoptit back in 2017 as a summer trainee and found the work really interesting and rewarding.

Thinking back to your childhood, did you always have an interest in coding/computers or did you have an idea of exactly what you wanted to be when you grew up?

I actually got interested in computers in the software development sense only in late high school years and then decided to apply to university in order to get educated in the field of mathematical information technology. I had quite a few options in my head for my future occupation, mostly in various sciences, but I found choosing between them rather difficult.

When asked about what you and Weoptit do – how do you explain it?

I usually say that we are helping our customers solve problems that they have in their processes by providing them with the tools and know how to make more efficient use of their resources.

What societal impact do you believe optimization can have?

Optimization can lead to improved economic efficiency which is very important in the current situation where we need to cope with an ageing population while still improving, or at least keeping the quality of life on an acceptable level.

What do you do in your spare time? Is there something specific that helps you switch off and recharge?

I try to go on walks to get some fresh air and I also enjoy the peace and quiet of a forest. I do sometimes also play some computer games and in autumn time I hunt moose. I would say that in case I want to really recharge my batteries I would try to get into a forest and just look around, listen and get lost in my thoughts.

What has been something you have taken away with you from your time in the wilderness that has helped you in your life and career?

Do your bit and take life on one challenge at a time.

If you weren’t a software developer and considering your answer to question 2, what would be your ideal job/career and why?

As a younger person I would have said something like biotechnology researcher but these days I would pick a craftsman profession. I would really like to be able to work with my hands, doing something like smithing. I have tried knifemaking sometimes but I can not say that I would be terribly good at it.

What has been that one bit of advice/wisdom that you have carried with you through your life and career?

I think that would be something my study counsellor said when I was in high school. She used to say “Things have a habit of working out.” I understood it to mean that even really challenging situations would turn out for the best in the end if you just keep calm and work on those challenges.

What book are you currently reading?

My progress has been slow as after my university years my pace of reading has slowed down quite a bit but I have been trying to finally read the Finnish national epic: Kalevala. I have become fascinated about the past and the old culture of Finland and I felt like I should, in a way, try to get to know my roots.

What location is your ideal holiday destination and what is your idea of a perfect holiday?

It used to be that I liked to go around European cities and get to see the famous landmarks and learn about the culture of the country in question. These days I have turned inwards a bit and now my kind of a holiday is a nature holiday like a hiking or hunting trip, preferably close to home or at least within Finland. Reasons for this change are the climate impact of travelling abroad and my new found appreciation for the beauty of my own country. I am still most likely going to travel abroad some day after this modern plague has subsided enough but until then I am content to spend my holidays exploring what my own homeland has to offer.

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