Immigrants as Business Mentors

With support from universities of applied sciences, international students are engaged in solving business-related challenges alongside experienced coaches. Simultaneously, students gain valuable business contacts and practical work experience that enhance their employment opportunities in Finland upon graduation.

Another focus of the project is developing the entrepreneurial competencies of the participants by offering them an entrepreneurship track based on creative and interactive methods. The aim of the coaching is to strengthen participants' entrepreneurial skills and inspire them towards entrepreneurship.

Together, career coaches, participants, and companies form the IMIB Network, providing the international students with opportunities to showcase their skills in addressing work-related and business challenges. At the same time, all participants receive coaching, which helps them to work in Finnish companies or start a business in Finland. For companies, the low-threshold connection facilitated by the IMIB Network helps them get acquainted with potential employees.

During the project

• the IMIB Network is built, involving experts and teachers from universities, international students and higher education graduates as well as companies from various sectors operating in Uusimaa
• the skills of international students and higher education graduates are assessed, leading to the creation of a tailored coaching program that improves workplace skills and promotes entrepreneurship in Finland
• coaching is provided to the participants in developing workplace skills and entrepreneurship, and international students have the opportunity to connect with companies to address various work-related challenges
• indirectly, the project influences the readiness of domestic companies to internationalize and promotes diversity by connecting them with international students
• the project indirectly enhances the competitiveness of companies and assists them in solving real-world business problems