Terhi Nevalainen combined her work as a journalist with research on chick lit literature. Today, she leads the editorial team at Karjalainen and applies the insights from her doctoral training to navigate the transformation of the media industry.
Tell us about your background in your own words – what did you study and what path led you to doctoral studies?
During my final spring in high school, I wasn’t so much worried about the matriculation exams as I was about the university entrance exams. I had decided that I wanted to start studying something meaningful right away. Since I was interested in both arts and sciences, “a meaningful field” turned out to be cultural studies at what was then the University of Joensuu. I studied hard for the entrance exams and was admitted as the top candidate. I began my studies in the autumn of 1993, and literature naturally became my major.
After three years of studying, I started thinking about my future career. I knew I didn’t want to become a teacher under any circumstances. I applied for and got a summer job as a journalist at the regional newspaper Karjalainen. From there, I never returned to being a full-time student—the work as a journalist continued immediately after summer.
I already had a thesis topic in mind at that point, but work took priority. Besides, the topic felt so overwhelming that the bar for completing the thesis was set very high. Eventually, I pulled myself together, spent one summer vacation writing my thesis, and graduated.
What is your degree?
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Literature
Why did you choose to pursue doctoral studies in this field and at this university?
The idea of doctoral studies started to sparkle in my mind right after finishing my Master’s thesis, but it took a few years before I actually began. In fact, the research idea came from a problem: a new type of entertainment literature aimed at women—and its sister forms on television and other platforms—started to bother me, and I found myself analyzing them constantly. One evening, after giving my spouse yet another long lecture on the topic (he at least pretended to listen), I said: “Maybe I should write a doctoral dissertation about this.” I presented the idea to my former thesis supervisor, who fortunately agreed.
What was the most challenging part of your dissertation work?
Writing the doctoral dissertation was, in some ways, easier than writing the Master’s thesis. When working on the thesis, I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do or how to do it—at least not at first. It also felt like I had to explain the entire universe within my topic.
With the doctoral dissertation, however, I knew what I wanted to study and, quite soon, how to study it. I chose reader research as my method and set up a reading group for the study. When the group met for the first time, about twenty participants showed up—a surprising turnout for a group I had advertised mainly on the library notice board. That’s when I knew my topic was truly worth researching.
What was the most rewarding part of your doctoral journey?
One significant aspect was that I could combine my professional skills as a journalist with academic research—both in conducting reader interviews and leading the reading group. The research process alternated between gathering material, which involved working with readers, and analysis and writing. And of course, it was rewarding to finally see years of hard work bound into one volume. My dissertation, Pink Pumps: Postfeminist Contents in Chick Lit Fiction and Readers as Interpreters, was defended at the University of Eastern Finland in June 2015.
It’s great if passion drives the entire research process, but realistically, there will be rough patches. At those times, you need the backbone of a firm decision to see it through.
Terhi Nevalainen
Doctor of Philosophy
How did the doctoral journey impact you professionally or personally?
Doctoral studies and dissertation work were a multi-year project that I completed mostly alongside my job. I focused full-time on the dissertation only during the most intensive writing periods, for which I received two six-month grants, along with a few shorter grant periods.
I was very satisfied with this rhythm. The dissertation broadened my thinking and taught me to see and analyze different ideological and intellectual currents in society, while I remained connected to everyday work and its changes.
How has your career progressed since earning your doctorate?
When I defended my dissertation, I was working as a senior journalist at Karjalainen. After that, I moved to Väli-Suomen Media, first as a producer for Sunnuntaisuomalainen and then as CEO of Väli-Suomen Media. Today, I am Managing Editor at Karjalainen, where my responsibilities include newsroom personnel management. I am also involved in several internal development projects within the Mediakonserni Keskisuomalainen group.
I didn’t pursue doctoral studies for career reasons—in fact, I had been warned that a doctoral degree might be more of a hindrance than a benefit in working life. That hasn’t been the case for me. I don’t believe the degree directly influenced my career progression; in this field, professional experience and competence matter most. However, I have felt that my doctoral degree is respected.
How have you been able to utilize your doctoral degree in working life?
Finnish news media is facing a massive transformation. The change has been underway for several years, and the pace is only accelerating. Media leadership today requires enormous open-mindedness, readiness for renewal, and the ability to see and analyze societal trends. I feel that doctoral training prepared me for all of these—especially the last one. The results of my dissertation show that reading motivation is usually driven by highly complex reasons that superficial explanations cannot capture. These reflections are crucial in the current media transition: What truly drives motivation to read news media, and why does it seem to weaken with digitalization? There is some major ideological current behind this, and we cannot fully meet readers’ real needs until we identify it.
What do you enjoy most about working life right now?
Times of transition are, in a way, exciting times. I enjoy rapid change and responding to it. I thrive in work where I can get involved in developing various processes and tackling upcoming challenges.
What advice would you give to someone considering doctoral studies?
First, know what you want to research and commit to it. It’s great if passion drives the entire research process, but realistically, there will be rough patches. At those times, you need the backbone of a firm decision to see it through.
Second, in hockey terms: don’t grip the stick too tightly. I made this mistake with my Master’s thesis. You don’t need to explain the whole world—just your slice of it. No single research project is truly larger than life.
Third, take care of your physical well-being. Thinking, sitting, and writing are important, but so is life. Even your brain works better when you give your body some movement.
