Oanh Nguyen, Degree Programme for Multilingual Management Assistants, 2009   What was the best thing in your studies? The best thing was the extremely international atmosphere. I think this facilitates multicultural interaction and the possibility to use other languages. Nowadays both of these things are important in work life.  Why would you recommend to apply to study at HAAGA-HELIA? I would recommend you to study there because of their versatile curriculum. HAAGA-HELIA also offers a very comprehensive university network with other countries. Tell us about your current job description? I work at the Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong. I am in charge of the Financial Administration.  Additionally, I am in charge of granting visas, passports and residence permits to Finland. I work in close co-operation with the Finnish Immigration Service and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

How did you get you current job?

After my graduation I was chosen through CIMO to work at the Finnish Trade Centre, Finpro in Hong Kong for six months as a trainee. After this I received a job offer from the Consulate General.

In which kind of posts do you hope to get in the future?

In the future I hope I could get even more involved with exporting Finnish know-how abroad, especially to the South-East Asian countries. 

What career hints would you give to students studying your field?

I cannot emphasize enough the importance the period of practical training! I did my practical training at the Finnish elevator company Kone, where I also did my thesis.
This training period opened entirely new opportunities for me. Therefore my career advice for you would be that start planning it already with your first practical training post.

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Katri Gerkman, Degree Programme for Multilingual Management Assistants, 2009   What was the best thing in your studies? I liked the fact that our studies were very versatile. There were a variety of basic studies, very extensive language courses and you got to choose your comprehensive studies according to your own interests. I particularly appreciated the fact that most of our language teachers had the language they tough as a mother tongue. Why would you recommend to apply to study at HAAGA-HELIA? HAAGA-HELIA is a big institution with long traditions in different fields. This will give them an edge in what they are doing and helps them to deliver what they promise. It also provides you with more options to choose for your free-choice studies. You can study subjects that you are interested in and build your future career from year one of your studies.

Tell us about your current job description?

I work as a secretary to the Head of Unit in the public sector. My daily activities include preparing meeting files for my supervisor, keeping track of correspondence, organising and taking part into meetings, screening agenda items and taking care of HR issues for the whole unit. I have also financial responsibilities to support our Head of Unit.
As more than 50 per cent of our staff is foreigners, I also help them with whatever questions they might have concerning the day-to-day life in Finland.

How did you get you current job?

I worked here as an interim after my graduation for 8.5 months through Manpower, did a little detour in the private sector for seven months (first project assistant and then assistant to the Managing Director) and came back as a temporary agent mid-May

In which kind of posts do you hope to get in the future?

I think I have found my perfect post for the time-being. I get to work as a Management Assistant in an international environment.

What career hints would you give to students studying your field?

Keep your eyes and ears open. You never know where you might find a hint for your future job. Be open for new experiences: it might surprise.