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Students are advised to try to understand the strengths of our own cultural background. “I want to have people in my teams who look at the world in a wider perspective. I’m making products for human beings so I need people who know how to get on with people.” VPK For double degree students, adapting to another country and culture comes naturally but nevertheless you need to be open to influences of your own cultural background.

MN “Think outside the box. Don’t be afraid of putting your CV online. I put mine in Monster and was hunted that way.”

The DD shows your interest in finding out about the world and cultures. Rovio for instance are looking for certain skills and talent - who has international experience.

TJ “When I was studying this was a pretty new animal. We had to do work placement abroad so we had to start moving in international arena.”

The double degree is highly respected by employers. It gives you skills such as flexibility and adaptability which companies are looking for. It’s very hard to find a pure Finnish company so you are going to need these skills.

TJ Finance is international. There is no such thing as national finance unless you want to work in N Korea.

CF Learning to deal with people from different backgrounds helps as cultures are very different. We get emails from London and they expect an answer right away not when you have time. That’s just one aspect of work culture you will learn when you go abroad.

LK Try to take the best out of the group work you do. Although it can be tough it’s preparing you for the challenges of working in a company. (e.g. it is very multicultural in NSN)

Remember when you sell yourself it’s not just what you are but also how you advertise it.

AC “With this degree it really is much easier to get better starting positions. I was one of 50 at interview. I didn’t think I’d have a chance for that job but I told the interviewer all about my internship, 11 months in a PR agency in Sydney. Talk big. The way you really are.”

Mr Keaney then asked “What do you think you received as students studying on our programme of value? What have you taken away from your experiences here in Finland as well as the international aspect?”

VPK It’s very easy to undervalue your lectures and assignments. I was working while I was studying so it was easy for me to see the link. You will come to those “boring” principles in working life. You will collect back that information and have to go back to the book again. Everything will start coming back to you.

MN I used to think this programme prepares you for everything and nothing. I found out later that a lot of very important fundamentals were laid here. Especially the principles of marketing I still understand it’s best to be first thanks to Simcoe. The other thing I found of value was how to be a good presenter. These are the things I am using daily in my job in sales. So those fundamentals have really stuck and laid the foundation for me. So if you’re thinking about a job in sales please pay attention to those courses where you learn to give presentations.

TJ You’re getting a fairly well-thought out package. When I was studying IT databases in Holland I thought “Why on earth am I learning this?” then I found myself making the Treasury system for Hewlett Packard. I needed half IT and half people skills. Navnit Kohli (accounting lecturer in INHOLLAND) was right about what had to learn by heart for the real world. These things will pop up again.

VPK Your education will only take you so far. When you come to the workplace you’re learning every single day. Be open to what is out there.

LK My time in Australia taught me what I want from my life.

Questions from the audience Q What kind of mistakes have you made in your early career?

AC In my first job, I made the mistake that I was pushing 200%. I was really close to burnout. You don’t have to do that. Remember to balance your private and work life. As a young female I was trying to show that I’m the best there is. It’s ok for short periods but for a year it’s too long.

Q What kind of challenges will we face when we step into working life?

TJ You’ll step into an environment where everything tends to be commercially driven. That’s one thing that needs recalibration of your head.

Some companies have a well-thought out induction programme or graduate programme.

Inevitably in the beginning this can mean long hours but remember to tone it down.

You also start making money!

LK You’ll feel you need to make a lifelong decision but it’s not that hard to choose. Some recent graduates are struggling to make that first step.

VPK You will face a challenge when you come straight out of school – so having a chance to work while you study really eases your transition into the business world.

LS Don’t miss the opportunity of your internship to try something new – rather than stay in the company of your summer job. Starting in a new job is tough especially when you’re expected to learn a lot in a short time.

Q When you graduated did you already have a plan worked out?

PT I wanted to work in marketing but there were only a few jobs going at that time on the internet and hundreds of people applying at the same time. They always appointed the person with many years of experience in the end. I had a plan for marketing jobs and I’m glad that I waited for the opportunity and where I’m working now. That was a good plan.

TJ Work placement is a great thing because it gives you a chance to figure out if this is what you really want to do. (Finance)

Getting the first job is the hardest. Your network can help you navigate to get to your first job.

Q We hear a lot about the importance of networking in our courses. What are your experiences about “it’s who you know”?

CF I sent 110 applications for a marketing internship. Once I got into the agency (Carat) I went to all the events on offer. Since then I’ve had 3 places and I’ve never had to apply to one of them. If you’re good at what you do, they’ll call you.

LK I did my thesis through the network established on my internship.

PT I got my first job through a contact. I found out that in the advertising field there are no open jobs – it is mainly through contacts and networking.

TJ It can work the other way around though if you don’t know anything! You need to become a specialist in something. That may mean studying another degree.

Q How did your EM/EBA studies help in further studies?

TJ Let’s say that the courses here are e.g. 10cm high, the basics, but when you study more you go drilling deep into a place you couldn’t know existed. The bachelor’s degree helps to give the foundation but you’re going to have to choose later – e.g. taking a professional diploma in a specific field.

I’m wondering what to do after graduation. Should I continue my studies or go straight to working life.

AC I recommend going to working life first. It’s always harder to get the first job after your masters.

VPK Become enthusiastic for something and find what it is you enjoy in life. For me it was gaming – my enthusiasm for games was important and it got me into the field.

Each member of our alumni panel received a special Metropolia Business School goody bag.

Thank you all! Notes taken by Louise Stansfield ----------------------------------

For more information about EM and EBA and our double degrees see: http://metropoliabusinessschool.fi/