Research Professionals’ membership services team has been strengthened by the joining of Susanna Harjula as a Membership Service Specialist at the end of August. Susanna has extensive experience in the organisation world: she has worked for a total of more than 23 years in the sector for, among others, the Finnish Kennel Club and the Trade Union of Education in Finland.
“I have a vocational qualification in tourism. My work career has consisted of customer service duties in multiple positions from tourism to organisations. As a Membership Service Specialist, I get to utilise all of this experience”, Susanna says.
Workdays are filled with a variety of membership issues: providing advice via phone, email, and e-service, maintaining registry information, handling questions concerning membership fees and unemployment fund rules, and lots of other things.
“Our membership is diverse and international, and this is reflected in the questions. Matters related to the university community, grants, and the work of researchers are particularly emphasised. Even though the substance is familiar, every day brings something new.”
Susanna explains that she is especially enthusiastic about problem-solving and seeking out information.
“Even when things are completely knotted up, we can always unravel them. I try to be thorough and look at things from many perspectives. What I don’t yet know I’ll find out. We find answers for members fast – often during the same day.”
“Our members are really nice and polite. It is rewarding to be able to help and receive thanks, even if it was only about helping with the use of the membership fee calculator”, she states.
On her free time, Susanna enjoys nature. She has a second home in Slovenia, at the foot of the Julian Alps, with plenty of hiking trails nearby. Even though she no longer has dogs of her own, she continues to follow the success of the descendants of her greyhounds, her “grandchildren”, in shows and races. She is also an avid reader, with detective stories and thrillers being her favourites.
We welcome Susanna – don’t hesitate to contact her if you have a question regarding some aspect of membership!
Our membership phone service is open Monday–Thursday 9 a.m. – 12 noon, tel. +358 (0)207 589 619.
You can also contact the joint email of our Membership Services Specialists: jasenpalvelu@tieteentekijat.fi
In counselling matters, we recommend contacting us through the e-service.