From Career Woman to Author

Written by Nina Dahlblom

Read how moving to the U.S. Redefined Kaisa Korpela’s identity from Career Woman to Author.

Kaisa Korpela, a Master of Philosophy from Oulu, Finland, had long worked as a project manager at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, navigating the intricacies of new EU funding models. But her life took an unexpected turn when her partner began eyeing opportunities in the United States. Like many life-altering decisions, the choice to relocate to America happened quickly, leaving little time for preparation—or cultural shock manuals.

"In 2014, we came to Silicon Valley for a year to see what life here would be like," Kaisa recalls. "My partner stayed immediately, but I initially returned to Finland to finish my remaining vacation days and briefly resume work before coming back." At this stage, Kaisa was living in the U.S. on a tourist visa, without a work permit, caught between two worlds.

A Stormy Transition

The back-and-forth lifestyle was turbulent. "The uncertainty about when I could enter the country or get a new visa was incredibly complex," Kaisa admits. After years of a steady career, she found herself an expatriate housewife—a role she embraced reluctantly. "It turned out to be a fascinating experience," she reflects.

For many Finnish women in Silicon Valley, life revolves around their children's schooling and extracurriculars. But Kaisa was an exception—childless and navigating a new cultural landscape.

Encouraged by friends, she started a blog chronicling her daily observations: the vibrant multiculturalism of Silicon Valley, the quirks of American kitchen gadgets, and even the time she befriended neighbors after their cat wandered into her home for a sleepover. Her unique perspective struck a chord, and her audience clamored for more.

Building a New Identity

In 2015, Kaisa married and secured a Green Card and work permit the following year. Despite her credentials, finding fulfilling work proved challenging. "It’s easy to feel stuck when you’re looking for a job as an expatriate," she shares. "You have to break down your skillset and figure out what you really want to do." While her project management background offered opportunities, Kaisa realized her passion lay elsewhere.

Her Finnish degree as a Master of Philosophy didn’t translate easily to the U.S. job market. "I’m trained as a math teacher, but I wasn’t certified to teach here without additional schooling," she explains. With their move to the U.S. initially planned as a temporary adventure, pursuing further certification didn’t seem practical. This left Kaisa grappling with her sense of professional identity.

A lifelong dance enthusiast, Kaisa was drawn to the creative energy of the local dance community. When a ballet academy advertised an opening for an administrative assistant, she applied and got the job. Before long, she was promoted to office manager. Her role expanded to encompass diverse responsibilities in a dynamic, multicultural workplace.

"Weekend performances, rehearsals, and costume fittings took over my schedule," she says. The demanding hours meant she rarely saw her husband during the week. In early 2020, Kaisa decided to resign, just as the pandemic was taking hold.

From Blogger to Author

Freed from the constraints of her job, Kaisa returned to blogging and completed the first draft of a semi-fictional memoir in 2021. A former classmate guided her through the publishing process. Around the same time, she began teaching math to Finnish families as a private tutor. To her surprise, a publisher expressed interest in her manuscript, which would become a hybrid of fiction and reality—a vivid armchair journey through Silicon Valley.

A New Chapter

During our interview, Kaisa was preparing for the launch tour of her debut book, "Uunipelti-identiteetti – Piilaakson oppivuodet" (Oven Pan Identity: The Learning Years in Silicon Valley). Her promotional tour spans both Finland and Silicon Valley, marking her transition from expatriate blogger to published author.

"Participating in the book's marketing is another leap into the unknown," she says. "I wanted to take a bold step here too, and I’m excited to see what new lessons this adventure will bring." Kaisa’s journey exemplifies resilience and reinvention, proving that stepping into the unfamiliar can lead to extraordinary transformations.


Link to Kaisa Korpela’s blog: https://ribsandcoke.blogspot.com/

Link to buy Kaisa's book Uunipelti-identiteetti – Piilaakson oppivuodet in the USA:
https://shorturl.at/WEqCQ

Link to Kaisa’s book (available in Finnish) Uunipelti-identiteetti – Piilaakson oppivuodet: https://www.momentumkirjat.fi/kirjat/Uunipelti-identiteetti-Piilaakson-oppivuodet-p704274324