The Italian Leonardo Sonzio works as the director of Environmental Services at Wärtsilä’s headquarters in Helsinki. For him, working abroad and making an international career for himself was always the main target.

 

‘I’m passionate about the sea and sea-based shipping. I really like ships as objects and find them very intriguing in their complexity,’ he says.

 

In his home country, Sonzio studied naval architecture at the University of Trieste. He reckons that, because of its variety, such education is highly beneficial, regardless of the career one chooses to pursue after the studies.

‘This education does not make you a specialist in just one area. You get to explore many different areas, not just the technical side of things. It’s extremely good mental exercise for a student to deal with the big picture,’ Sonzio says.

 

Wärtsilä was one of the top companies that interested Sonzio after graduation. He joined Wärtsilä in 2006 and moved to Helsinki to work with the company as a business analyst in Ship Power Business Intelligence. 

This meant that his first real job in the industry was outside his native country. The change was big. However, he hasn’t regretted his decision.

 

‘Wärtsilä is a very dynamic technology company, always looking ahead and looking for new ideas, ‘ Sonzio says.

 

He praises the opportunities available for young people who are interested in working in different fields, not only for people with a technical education.

 

‘Wärtsilä provides a great opportunity for young people, because the company is fairly open to job rotation, making it possible for people to move around and explore the company so that everyone finds the right place,’ Sonzio says. He cites an example: ‘I myself have now moved from my first job, in Ship Power’s business operations, to the Services business, with new and interesting tasks in the marine sphere.’

 

In his daily work, Sonzio meets customers, has discussions with regulators, and makes sure that his team have the structure and all of the resources needed to support Wärtsilä’s customers. The goal is to help introduce more sustainable technologies and processes. The aim is thus to reduce the industry’s footprint on the environment.

 

 

Younger generations are getting more and more sensitive to environment-related matters. According to Sonzio, the transportation sector is one of the areas of focus.

‘Environmental issues are increasingly important throughout the industry. Environmental legislation and regulations bring with them new challenges, and we’re here to help. This makes you feel that your job has a purpose,’ he says.

 

He says there is no fixed daily routine at the office.

 

‘The topic is the same, but every day brings new aspects to be considered. I don’t think any of my colleagues have strong procedures. Everyone needs to have a certain flexibility in helping a colleague,’ says Sonzio.

 

The whole process of adapting to more environmentally sound solutions is still relatively new to this industry. The market need is there; now the industry is about to get the actual business to respond in full motion.

 

‘We’re seeing the change happening, but we’re not yet there. We need to exercise our patience and remain persistent,’ Sonzio says.

 

Opening eyes for young people

 

Sonzio is very happy with the career he has chosen and does not see himself working in any other industry.

 

‘Shipping and marine industry are  becoming even more sophisticated, and there’s a lot of on-going development. It’s not a stagnant industry, and the practices in use are modern. Within shipping, there are so many market segments, so the variety of job opportunities is great,’ Sonzio says.

 

Some people people may still hold the stereotype that working in this industry only means an engineer in his overalls working in demanding conditions in an engine room. This indeed is an option for those who feel drawn to it, but there are many other career opportunities as well.