Here’s a story of perseverance, adaptability and lifelong learning. Born and raised in Uganda, Lornah Nasirumbi completed a Bachelor's degree in Business Computing and has since reached a diverse professional experience spanning multiple countries and roles.
Currently working as an Office Manager in Helsinki, Nasirumbi’s international experience includes working as a System Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services in India. She also spent time in Ethiopia as a Project Associate with Fredskorpset, at the university of Addis Ababa. At some point in her career her passion for community service led her back to Uganda, where she worked on village projects – an experience she found deeply fulfilling.
– I have more than half a decade of work experience in different fields like Technical support, community work, management and customer service, Lornah reflects, highlighting the diverse skill set she has cultivated over the years.
Seven years ago, Lornah's life took a significant turn when she moved from Uganda to Finland after meeting her future husband.
New beginnings
After settling in Finland and starting a family, Lornah began working at a consulting firm. When her position was later terminated, she viewed it as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. In January 2024, she enrolled in open university studies at Haaga-Helia, successfully completing them before advancing to a Master's degree program in Business Technologies in autumn 2024. Courses in data analytics and AI have been particular highlights in her academic experience so far.
Lornah’s decision to study at Haaga-Helia was influenced by positive recommendations from her husband's family, many of whom are alumni of the institution. Lornah emphasises the challenges faced by immigrants in accessing reliable information about educational opportunities in Finland.
– This is mainly attributed to the language barrier, she explains.
– So it is much easier to listen to what people you know have to say and trust their judgement.
The university's proximity to her home in Pasila was an added advantage, making it more convenient for her to balance family life, studies and working as an Office Manager at Holvi. While acknowledging the challenges, she remains optimistic:
– It's true juggling at times but then again, it’s only for a short while in life, so it's worth it.
What would you like to say to new Haaga-Helia students?
– I’ve found my studies at Haaga-Helia to be highly beneficial, not just academically but also socially.
– Looking ahead, I’m eager to embrace new challenges with my freshly gained know-how and interested in new opportunities to exercise my knowledge in technical support, customer service, and problem-solving skills in.
