Anita Lehikoinen
Humanist of the day

Anita Lehikoinen

While wondering where to find a job with the subjects she studied – English philology, political science, journalism and literature – Anita Lehikoinen was reassured by her teacher that there is really only one kind of job like this in Finland. And so she took it. Lehikoinen is the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC). She has worked with higher education and science policy since 1989.

Anita Lehikoinen

Anita Irmeli Lehikoinen
Born April 27, 1959, Riihimäki

MA 1987 (English Philology), University of Helsinki

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), 2013-
Director general at the Department for Higher Education and Science Policy in the MEC, 2012–2013
Various duties with higher education and science policy in the MEC, 1989-
English teacher, both hourly and at adult education centres, while attending university

Author of multiple national and international MEC working group reports

Written by Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta
Translated by Joe McVeigh

Head of Civil Societal Activities

While studying at the University of Helsinki Anita Lehikoinen taught English at a vocational training centre and worked as a salesclerk at Marimekko, a chain of Finnish fashion stores. ‘Teaching was kind of a “job trap,” because at the time being a part-time teacher paid very well.'

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