Pritika Sekar. Designer. Started as a trainee in 2021.
When I first came across a blog post titled “Why I Left Reaktor and Came Back,” it struck a chord with me. It wasn’t just a story about leaving and returning; it was a testament to employees' trust and love for the company.
It made me curious. What was it about Reaktor that inspired such loyalty?
Little did I know that this curiosity would lead me on a journey that would reshape my career and, in many ways, my perspective on work itself.
Finding my path in a new country
When I applied to Reaktor, I was at a crossroads. Having recently moved to Finland, I was riding the unemployment wave, uncertain about what to do next. My background was in industrial design, and while I knew my skills could translate into digital product design, my portfolio still largely reflected my training in the physical space.
My first application to Reaktor didn’t make it through.
But what could have been just another rejection turned out to be one of the most thoughtful responses I’d ever received. Instead of a generic rejection email, I got a response filled with actionable feedback on how I could improve my portfolio to better align with digital product design. It was the kind of rejection that didn’t discourage me. It motivated me.
I took that feedback to heart, refined my portfolio, and applied again. This time, I got in. And if I could go back in time, I’d do it all over again because of how much I learned from the process.
A summer of growth
In my first summer at Reaktor, I worked with a large client on a highly technical product. What amazed me was the way I was treated – not as just an intern, but as an equal member of the team. My thoughts and opinions were valued, and I had the space to learn while also contributing meaningfully.
One of the highlights of that experience was working alongside an incredible designer. She became my mentor in many ways, and I absorbed so much from her approach to design and collaboration. Looking back, those learnings have set the foundation for the designer I am today.
The culture shock (in the best way)
Coming from countries like India and the USA, where hierarchical structures are deeply ingrained in workplaces, Reaktor’s culture was a revelation. The level of trust, openness, and low hierarchy wasn’t just refreshing, it was transformative. There were no unnecessary layers of approval, no gatekeeping of ideas. Just talented people working together with a shared sense of purpose.
This culture shift has changed my expectations of what a workplace should be. If I ever leave Finland, I know I’ll struggle to find another environment that fosters this level of autonomy and collaboration.
Stepping into a bigger role
Now, I’m working on a consumer-facing product, and this project has pushed me to grow beyond just UX design. I’m no longer just thinking about usability and user flows, I’m learning to think like a product designer who aligns design decisions with business goals.
This shift in mindset has been eye-opening. It’s one thing to create a great user experience, but it’s another to design solutions that genuinely help a business thrive while serving its users effectively.
Looking back and forward
When I think back to that moment of uncertainty before I first applied to Reaktor, I realize how pivotal this journey has been. From rejection to acceptance, from industrial design to digital product design, from feeling lost to finding a place where I truly belong.
Reaktor isn’t just a company where people come to work. It’s a place where people grow, where feedback is meaningful, where trust is the foundation of everything. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
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