Timo Koponen, who leads the department focused on developing advanced clinical applications in Varian’s product ecosystem, has always welcomed trainees into his teams. When it was suggested that he head Varian Finland’s trainee program, he knew it was a task that would suit him.
“For me, trainees and undergraduate students are an inherent part of development and research teams. Maybe this is due to my background in university research groups. I have always enjoyed seeing people grow and find their place in our organization,” Koponen says.
A meaningful first step in a career in cancer care
A new Varian Finland trainee program officially launched in early fall 2023. However, this is not something new within the global organization these programs were already running at Varian sites in the US and in other European offices. Varian Finland wanted to take a more systematic approach and build a structured program to introduce and adopt future Varian talent.
“Our ambition is high. The concrete goal is for at least half of the trainee group to be hired as Varian employees by the time the next group starts their trainee period,” Koponen says.
The trainee program welcomes new talents with background for example in biomedical engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics. The ideal experience level varies, but suitable applicants include students nearing the end of their studies or beginning a master’s thesis, and recent graduates looking to start work in the fight against cancer.
“It’s really about finding the right balance in terms of the experience level. Our trainees are not making coffee or printing copies; they’re fully involved in the work we do. This is most beneficial for both parties. We want them to have the opportunity of an insightful and valuable training period doing the work they have been studying for. At the same time, we’re looking to hire them to continue that work.”
Curiosity beyond personal tasks and respect for patients
The program is intended to take between six months and a year. This provides enough time for the trainees to adapt to working in product development teams and as part of our wider community. Trainees are matched with specific teams according to their skills and interests. As a rule of thumb, programming skills related to the technologies used at Varian or an education in medical technology are preferred, and, naturally, good knowledge of English. Skills aside, attitude and personal attributes play an important role.
“We embrace diversity, but there needs to be a cultural fit. After all, the most important thing in our work is that the end-user, the cancer patient, gets the best possible help. This raises the bar for the quality of our work and integrity. We all need to show a certain humility in our own work—to accept critique and our work reviewed by our peers during every step of the product development process. Varian products aim to save lives, and we honor that. Without humility and respect, we, and thus our patients, can’t succeed,” Koponen says.
“In addition, we really appreciate an interest and curiosity in the field as a whole—not just in one’s own specific niche, but an interest that expands beyond that.”
The trainee program keeps evolving—but the goal remains the same
One piece of advice that Timo Koponen received at an earlier stage of his career at Varian has stuck with him. His supervisor at the time emphasized that at Varian the recruiting process is always a priority. This principle is something he applies to the trainee program as well. The recruitment process is always unique and urgent for the applicant.
“In my perspective, in both my day-to-day work as a team lead and now as the head of the trainee program, my role is to enable experts to work. I use a metaphor from the sports world—sports managers work for the talents they represent, not the other way around. Just like that, I feel that I’m working for my team members, to help them to achieve their goals and to match business needs with suitable experts.”
Aside from working within teams, the first year of the program currently includes monthly group sessions, mentoring sessions, as well as introductions and networking within Varian. According to Timo Koponen, the program is constantly evolving and never truly complete. Koponen says that the development process is ongoing, but the end goal remains the same—to ensure a positive trainee experience that serves as a first step on a career path in the Varian organization.