<div>For Joakim Ervast, problem-solving has always been at the heart of his work.</div><div>Numbers, logic, and puzzles - the satisfying moment when something finally clicks. It is what led him to study business and information systems, and eventually to a career in data engineering.<br><br>Beyond data and analytics, Joakim’s story is about freedom: the freedom to work from anywhere, to keep learning, and to build a life on his own terms.</div><h1>From business school to data engineering</h1><div>Joakim studied at Åbo Akademi, completing his Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration in 2020. During his studies, he realized that his fascination with problem-solving ran deeper than financial statements or accounting spreadsheets. That curiosity led him to switch from accounting to information systems, a move that set the course for his career.</div><div><em>“Already back then, I had this goal that I could make a living with just my laptop,”</em><br>he says. <em>“To be able to work from anywhere and not depend on a specific place or people.“<br><br></em>After graduating, Joakim jumped into consulting, first at Enfo and later at DB Pro Services. Over five years, he built strong experience in analytics and data engineering, helping companies make sense of complex systems and datasets. Consulting life suited his problem-solving mindset, but over time, something started to stir.</div><h1>Taking the leap into freelancing</h1><div>Last spring, Joakim decided to take what he calls a “slightly scary but natural” step: starting his own company and becoming a freelancer.</div><div><br><em>“It was a big leap because I didn’t know if I’d get any projects,”</em> he admits. <em>“But I already had five years of experience, I knew my stuff, and I’ve always been quite social, so I trusted that I could sell myself if needed.”</em></div><div><br>That confidence and curiosity paid off. After some active conversations on LinkedIn and with recruiters, Joakim found his way to Finitec, a company that connects top tech freelancers with meaningful projects. Through their network, he quickly landed his first assignment.</div><div><br><em>“I had two or three interviews lined up,”</em> he recalls. <em>“The first one went straight through. I had to cancel the rest.”</em></div><h1>Tackling technical debt and building trust</h1><div>Joakim’s first assignment through Finitec turned out to be an ideal match. The customer had a growing pile of technical debt and tight deadlines ahead.</div><div>Together with another Finitec consultant, Joakim joined the team to help stabilize and modernize their data environment.</div><div><br><em>“The onboarding was amazing,” </em>he says. <em>“Already on the second day I was doing real work. The people were welcoming, and the freelancers were treated just like anyone else on the team. That’s not something you always see in consulting.”</em></div><div><br>Thanks to smooth onboarding and clear ways of working, Joakim was able to make an impact right away. </div><div><br><em>“When onboarding is good, you can really get up to speed fast,” </em>he explains. <em>“I got a lot done in a short time and even received positive feedback during my first week.”</em></div><div>The team has made strong progress in reducing technical debt and improving data processes.</div><h1>Freedom with responsibility</h1><div>While Joakim is thriving in freelancing, he is quick to note that it is not for everyone.</div><div><br><em>“If something needs to be done, it doesn’t stay undone,”</em> he says. “<em>Maybe sometimes</em></div><div><em>I even put too much of myself into work. It’s not always easy, but when you weigh</em></div><div><em>the difficult moments against the freedom on the other side, it’s worth it.”</em></div><div><br>For him, the trade-off is clear: independence comes with responsibility, but it also allows space for personal growth.</div><div><br><em>“Earlier in consulting, what you learned depended on what projects you were assigned to,”</em> he explains. <em>“Now, if I don’t have a project, I will develop my skills in areas I find important. I can focus on what really matters for my own development.”</em></div><h1>Work, travel, and balance</h1><div>Freedom also means Joakim can plan his work around what keeps him inspired, like traveling to sunnier places during the darkest Finnish months.</div><div><em>“I like the sun,”</em> he laughs. “<em>I don’t enjoy the grayness of Finland from October to February. So, I try to escape south for at least a couple of weeks in winter. It helps me recharge.”</em></div><div>It is part of the reason he pursued this path in the first place: the ability to build a career that fits his life, not the other way around.</div><h1>Advice for others</h1><div>For those thinking about taking the leap into freelancing, Joakim’s advice is simple but grounded in experience.<br><br><em>“I definitely recommend trying it, but it’s not for everyone. If your skills are in demand and you trust that you can deliver and present yourself well, go for it,”</em> he says. <em>“Usually, you can always go back if it doesn’t work out.”<br><br></em>He also points out that freelancers are often competing for the same projects. <em>“You have to stand out,” he says. “Be social, show your expertise, and know how to present yourself. That’s a big part of freelancing too.”</em></div><div>Joakim’s journey is still at the beginning, but it already reflects a new kind of independence built on expertise, self-trust, and the freedom to define what a career can look like.</div><div><em>“Freelancing isn’t just a way of working,”</em> he says. <em>“It’s a way of living.”</em></div>

Beyond data and analytics, Joakim’s story is about freedom: the freedom to work from anywhere, to keep learning, and to build a life on his own terms.

Solving problems and finding freedom: The journey of Joakim Ervast

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