Meet our Associate Program 2025 Roadies

This year’s Associate Roadies have brought curiosity, courage and a whole lot of character to our Helsinki office. Get to know Inka, Ruusu and Saga as they share what they discovered during the program, the surprises along the way, and what’s next on their journeys.

Inka Mäkinen

University of Vaasa | Strategic Business Development
Role: Sales Associate Consultant

Why Columbia Road?

It didn’t take much convincing (just one look at the job description, really!) to know I had to apply for the Sales Associate role at Columbia Road. The role seamlessly aligned with my previous experience and interests, while also highlighting the opportunity to shape my own growth path and make use of my expertise.

If I have one “weakness,” it’s that I simply can’t sell anything I don’t believe in. However, after playing detective and exploring Columbia Road's culture, case studies, social media, and even “hijacking” one of the Roadies for insider insight, I became confident that this wouldn’t be an issue here. The chance to develop my skills in digital sales and marketing, surrounded by the most skilful and genuinely kind people, was exactly the opportunity I was looking for. And I haven't regretted it once.

What did you learn during the Associate Program?

To be honest, I can hardly recognise the person who walked through those office doors back in January. Over the past seven(ish) months, I’ve learned so much about the world of digital sales, AI agents, customer engagement, ecommerce, different tools, community-led ways of working, workshop facilitation, event planning, customer interactions, account management, etc. You name it.

My learning curve has been so steep you could downhill ski on it. The best part? You get to shape your own learning journey based on what interests you most. (The only challenge is being interested in everything!)

What are your plans for the future?

In the future, I plan to continue as part of our sales and marketing team, take on more responsibility with our beloved accounts, organise exciting and valuable events for our clients, strengthen our student collaboration, and keep exploring and improving the fascinating world of digital sales with a particular focus on making our clients’ digital sales processes more sustainable. 

Anything else on your mind?

What surprised me most at Columbia Road, even though I had already heard about it, was the culture. Since day one, my ability to make decisions has been trusted and my expertise valued.

One moment that captures this perfectly: just five months in, I had the chance to travel to Barcelona to represent Columbia Road at a conference. It was, of course, super fun and exciting, but more importantly, it showed me that here, we truly are equals.

I highly recommend applying and would love to answer any questions that may arise, so feel free to contact me on LinkedIn!

Ruusu Nurmi

Aalto University | Information Networks
Role: Marketing Technology Associate Consultant

Why Columbia Road?

I first got interested in the whole martech thing through the Aalto Growth Hacking course co-led by Columbia Road consultants. My bit of 'all-over-the-place studies' combining tech, design, and business made sense and fit together into something cohesive and functional. This field feels like a space where all data, creativity and human understanding have value, which I find appealing.

In addition, I got a really good vibe from the Roadies. During excursions, the Growth Hacking course, and other random encounters, everyone I met seemed nice, fun, smart and skilful. That has proven to be true!

What did you learn during the Associate Program?

I’ve gotten to dive into a wide range of new tools, systems, architectures, and platforms. But maybe most importantly, I’ve learned a ton of the softer things: how to give feedback, how to build trust in new teams, and the value of proactive communication, to name a few.

What are your plans for the future?

This fall, I'll be finishing my studies and joining Columbia Road as a full-time consultant!

Anything else on your mind?

What surprised me most was the variety of projects I’ve been able to take part in. Beyond the data work I was already more familiar with, I’ve also had the chance to spread my wings in areas like AI agent building and even the marvellous world of hands-on B2B sales.

I've also realised how much it means to have a supportive community behind you. Whenever challenges come up, there's always an expert just a call away (or sitting next to you, in the best case), happy to answer even the ‘stupid questions’ a rookie might sometimes have. And beyond that, being able to share the highs and unpack worries together, with, for example, the fellow associates, has been invaluable.

Saga Wester

Hanken School of Economics | Marketing
Role: Marketing Technology Associate Consultant

Why Columbia Road?

I first came across Columbia Road on LinkedIn and through posters about the Associate Program around Helsinki. The more I looked into the company and the role, the more it felt like a smooth entry point into consulting; one that promised broad experience and exposure to different industries and challenges. To get a better sense of the culture, I reached out to a Roadie, and their positive experiences gave me the final push to apply. From there, everything clicked into place, and the rest is history.

What did you learn during the Associate Program?

Looking back, I realise just how much I’ve grown during the Associate Program. On the soft skills side, I’ve gained a lot more confidence. Not only in my abilities but also in trusting that you don’t need to be perfect at everything to bring value (which has been especially challenging for a perfectionist like me).

On the hard skills side, I’ve gotten hands-on experience with new tools, especially HubSpot and Salesforce. What makes Columbia Road special is that learning never stops; you’re encouraged to explore new skills through courses, projects, or simply by tapping into the knowledge of fellow Roadies, all based on your own interests.

What are your plans for the future?

Having just graduated this spring and being offered a full-time role at Columbia Road, my plan is to focus on working, learning, and growing (basically the usual routine until retirement). Hopefully, with a few fun detours along the way!

Anything else on your mind?

One of the first things that struck me at Columbia Road was just how strong the sense of community is. Within my very first weeks, we had both a puppy hour (yes – around ten actual puppies running around the office!) and Columbia Road’s 9th birthday party. Both turned out to be great ways to meet people and feel part of the team right from the start. Honestly, I think we should make puppy hours a weekly thing.

Another highlight has been the flexibility and support I’ve felt. While finishing my master’s degree, I was able to work part-time, which made the transition a lot smoother. On top of that, the regular catch-ups with my fellow associates gave us a chance to share experiences, support each other, and build our own little community inside the bigger one.