Building career and networks – alumni event brought together international professionals
Published: 14.11.2024 / Alumni
The first Build Your Network, Build Your Career alumni event, organised collaboratively by five universities of applied sciences in the Helsinki metropolitan area, gathered around 120 international alumni to network and gain career insights.
The event, hosted jointly by Arcada, Diakonia University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Helia, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and Metropolia, aimed to support international graduates in their employment, career planning, and networking. Organized in partnership with the City of Helsinki, the event brought together graduates from English-language degree programmes to hear inspiring speakers and learn about various employment and career development services.
Tips for recognizing your skills
Coach and facilitator Anne Liljestrand provided practical tips for articulating skills and crafting an elevator pitch. She also held a workshop on the topic during the event. Practice articulating your skills, and don’t downplay your abilities, she emphasized.
“Even if you haven’t done the exact same job before, you may have done similar tasks in a different setting”, she reminded.
The elevator pitch is a great exercise for articulating your skills.
– An effective elevator pitch should cover four points: who you are, what your unique skills are, what you’ve achieved with those skills, and what your next goal is.
Event well-received by the alumni
After the speeches, the alumni had the chance to explore pop-up stands offering career support and advice. The stands featured information from Kielibuusti, Arcada Career Services, the SIMHE project, Uusimaa TE Services, Helsinki Adult Education Center, Startup Refugees network, and the City of Helsinki.
Build Your Network, Build Your Career was held for the first time, but the demand among alumni appears strong, with the event being well-received by the attendees.
“The event was inspiring and worthwhile. I had the chance to connect with like-minded people, reinforcing the idea of owning my unique skills and knowledge. I came with questions and left with answers, contacts and new clarity on my career path. It was a wake-up call, an eye-opener and a door to more possibilities. I would gladly attend again if given the chance”, says Loveth Ezema, an alumna from Arcada who attended the event.
