The people behind culture: Event production trainee Aayush Jain wants to make culture more accessible
A five-month internship gave Aayush Jain new perspectives on art and science. The experience reinforced his belief that trust is built on competence, not titles.
For many young people, the transition from studies to working life can be overwhelming. For those new to Finnish society, the challenge can be even greater, as they are navigating not only a new role but also a new culture.
Inclusion is a two-way process. To support its members in developing more equitable workplaces, the Association of Finnish Foundations launched an equality accelerator initiative last year, delivered by Co-Consulting, a company specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion.
For the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the initiative provided an opportunity to deepen its understanding of the topics while taking concrete steps towards fostering greater diversity within the organisation. One outcome was the launch of a new trainee programme for students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
Aayush Jain“People here look at competence rather than a title, and they have trusted me because they have seen that I can do it.”
This February, the Foundation welcomed its first-ever event production trainee, Aayush Jain. During his internship, Jain – also known as Aimo, a Finnish nickname given to him by friends – has been assisting in producing events including the Annual Galas of the regional funds.
”I have worked on things I had never done before, such as creating a manual to ensure consistency across all events. People here look at competence rather than a title, and they have trusted me because they have seen that I can do it,” Jain says.
Consistency through detail
Originally from India, Jain moved to Finland in January 2023 to study at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, where he is about to graduate from the degree programme in Hospitality and Tourism Experience Management. During his studies, Jain has been volunteering in student unions and the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region while completing two other internships.
”I have tried to gain as much knowledge as possible and learn about leadership and trust. Breaking into working life is not easy anywhere, and in Finland it is even more difficult because of the language barrier. But if you set your mind to it, it is not impossible”, he says.
Aayush Jain”Things feel culturally different at the Foundation. We are not selling pitches or sponsorships. We are facilitating something that really matters to people.”
Before joining the Foundation, Jain was more accustomed to the fast-paced startup scene, where the focus is often on scaling up. In his current role, the biggest learning has been something quite different: understanding the importance of details and the careful planning that goes into every aspect of an event.
”Things feel culturally different at the Foundation. We are not selling pitches or sponsorships. We are facilitating something that really matters to people. That changes the level of responsibility and pressure, but in a positive way. I have learned that sometimes it is better to think more slowly and thoughtfully”, he says.
Making culture more accessible
Working closely with art and science has also given Jain new perspectives on the subjects. One question he has been reflecting on lately is why some people feel welcome in spaces dedicated to art, while others do not. He believes many young people perceive cultural institutions as places meant for someone else.
”If I walked into a place where I didn’t know anyone, I would probably feel out of place. I think many people share that feeling, but culture should be accessible to everyone. The Foundation already supports projects for children, and hopefully these kinds of programmes can be expanded through government support. If you are exposed to these things early on, the threshold becomes lower”, he says.
Jain’s trainee period at the Foundation comes to an end in late June. He will continue working in his volunteer positions while looking for the next step in his career. Jain feels optimistic about the future, even if he does not yet know exactly where it will lead.
”I do not know what comes next, and I am okay with not knowing. I am sure I will figure it out”, he says.
