Maija Reentilä’s career at Posti began with a summer job and has developed over 15 years. Along the way, life has forced her to look at work from a new perspective – and made flexibility a central part of everyday life.
The phone rings in the middle of a workday, and Maija Reentilä answers immediately. Quick reactions are part of her job in social media, and the same readiness is familiar at home.
As a parent of a child with special needs, everyday life can change in an instant. That’s why flexibility at work isn’t just a perk – it’s a prerequisite for a functioning life.
”I can be both a parent and a professional on the same day. That’s not something you can take for granted,” she says.
Reentilä’s career hasn’t been built on a ready-made plan. It has taken shape alongside the turns of her life. Three pivotal moments stand out above the rest.
1. From the restaurant industry to a new direction
Before her career change, Reentilä worked in the restaurant industry. The job had everything she loved: pace, people, and opportunities to grow.
Then she became a mother.
Shift work took up evenings and weekends. When she came home, the children were often already asleep.
”I sat alone in a quiet kitchen. The day was over before I’d had a chance to be part of it.”
At first, she thought the situation was temporary. Gradually, it became clear that it wasn’t just about a busy season – the rhythm of the work no longer suited the life she wanted to live.
”I loved the restaurant industry, but I was looking for work that fits into everyday life, not the other way around.”
On a friend’s recommendation, she applied for a summer job in Posti’s customer service in 2011. The change felt significant from the start.
The job brought the regularity to everyday life she had been missing.
”It made a better family life possible – and a completely different kind of daily routine.”
Working as a customer advisor quickly taught her how vast an organization Posti is, and everything everything that happens behind the scenes to shape the customer experience. That became the foundation on which her career would later be built.
2. When life surprised her, the meaning of work changed
Later, life brought things to a halt in a new way.
The family had already been navigating special support needs, but the situation changed when her youngest was diagnosed with diabetes.
Everyday life turned upside down in a single moment. With a child with special needs, responsibility doesn’t gradually transfer to the child the way it does in many other families.
”In a situation like that, you don’t think about work – you think about how life is going to come together.”
Reentilä took three weeks off. She still remembers her manager’s words clearly.
”I was told that what mattered most right now was to handle things at home and learn how to manage diabetes care. After that, we’d work out together how to fit work back into everyday life.”
The experience stayed with her.
”I didn’t have to carry everything alone. That was crucial.”
In that moment, she understood what support from a workplace truly means. Flexibility wasn’t special treatment – it was the possibility to take care of what had to be taken care of, and still do her job well.
”These days, everyday life is more predictable. Medical appointments are planned and scheduled in advance. I can start a bit earlier that day, or work a little later.”
3. Career opportunities at a large company
Over the years, Reentilä’s role evolved with the growing role of social media in customer service. When the first social media channels were set up, she got involved.
”I already enjoyed writing and felt at home in social media. My manager noticed that and started offering me tasks related to it.”
In customer service, Reentilä got to know Posti’s services, processes, and customers’ daily lives. That knowledge became a significant advantage later on.
”We need to know what’s a fault and what’s a feature. What we apologise for and what we should communicate more about.”
Her role grew gradually from customer service tasks to handling customer dialogue across social media channels, and eventually to guiding colleagues on social media matters. It wasn’t a single leap, but a direction that sharpened along the way.
”It was very symbiotic. I was proactive, and my managers also had their radar on.”
Today, Reentilä’s work is highly varied.
”One way or another, it always connects to Posti’s social media – whether that’s responding to comments, training, planning and producing content, development work, or reporting. One week includes a variety of tasks.”
The work requires good judgment. Not everything is worth engaging with, but some situations call for a quick, considered response. At the same time, part of the role is helping others succeed.
”It’s important that people feel confident expressing themselves in their own voice. That’s what makes communication more genuine.”
Work has to fit into life
When Reentilä looks back on her career, one thing stands out.
”I didn’t plan this career. It took shape over time, as the direction gradually became clearer – all within the same organization.”
Work is an important part of life, but not separate from it.
Today the balance feels more settled, even if days can still change quickly. There’s no need to build a wall between work and the rest of life.
”You only understand the value of flexibility at work when you truly need it.”
The career story has been created in co-operation with Duunitori. Writer: Janette Rosi. Images: Simo Vilhunen.