Tomi Urama's Career Story
I’m never going to work somewhere that doesn’t have this kind of atmosphere again.
I’ve always been a bit of a tech person - tinkering with computers, playing games, figuring things out. So, ending up in IT wasn’t completely random. But still, I didn’t exactly plan it this way.
I studied programming, software development, and UX at Tampere University… for quite a while. Like, 10 years kind of “a while.” Along the way, I questioned if I was even in the right field. Whilst I was studying, I was also working – all year round - at Särkänniemi, doing just about everything you can imagine.
Ticket seller. Security. Planetarium operator. Dolphinarium DJ (yes, seriously!). I even supervised summer employees, recruited & trained new staff, and helped shape the team vibe. We had this thing we called särkänniemeläisyys - a kind of shared spirit. It was fun, supportive, and full of good energy. That experience gave me a clear demand for any future job I’d take:
“I’m never going to work somewhere that doesn’t have this kind of atmosphere again.”
That one thought has guided me ever since.
In 2019, I got an interview opportunity at Entteri through a friend from Särkänniemi. The connection, and that shared spirit, was there from the start. I joined as a UI Developer while finishing my thesis, starting with a 3-day workweek. My first tasks involved designing and developing a new version of the AssisDent UI - and the more I got into it, the more I realized I actually enjoyed it. I was building real things, solving problems, and working with people who brought that same positive energy.
A couple of years later, I became a Team Lead for our R&D crew - developers like me. What started as a team of five has grown to 15+ (although we’re now tweaking things to make sure I have enough time for everyone). These days, my role is a mix of leadership and hands-on development, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I get to support people, grow our team, build real products, and make work life smoother for everyone around me.
Also… I do a lot of little things for the office that make a difference:
- Grab snacks from the supermarket
- Organize padel games
- Book massage sessions
- Help with the fun committee
- Manage trainees and recruitment with schools
No day is the same. Sometimes I’m deep in code, sometimes I’m in 1:1s or helping a teammate solve a problem. I like to plan my work based on the needs I see around me. That mix of flexibility and trust? It’s something I value a lot.
Outside work, I keep active. I love cycling to the office (especially when I don’t need five layers of clothing to do it!). Padel and Finnish baseball are my go-tos. Starting the day with a ride clears my head and gives me energy. Summer, I’m ready for you!
Looking back, this journey has been anything but linear. It’s been shaped by curiosity, good people, unexpected turns, and a strong sense of what kind of environment I want to be part of. Entteri has that feeling - the one I first found at Särkänniemi - and that makes all the difference.