Graduates at Work
Meet Graduates from our earlier Programs and read how they describe their work and the organization they work for. The first Corporate Communication students are expected to graduate in 2015.
Meeri Moilanen
Consultant, Maitland Consultancy United Kindom, graduated in 2013
"I am thrilled to be working across such a wide section of industries as well as learning about the multitude of tasks that are required of an investor relations officer today."
Having graduated from the International Business Communication programme in May 2013, I decided to relocate to London in search of international opportunities to support my newly obtained degree. I knew I wanted to find a way to combine my Communications degree with my minor studies in Finance and subsequently found my first job post-graduation at Gorkana in media analysis, a subject very closely related to my Master’s Thesis.
I worked mainly with financial institutions clients, helping them understand their media presence on a global scale as they were faced with scandals and reputation issues that threatened to destabilise their company images. I also wrote regular media summaries around major events and results presentations to supplement board reports. Although I enjoyed this work and the team I worked with, I also knew that I wanted a more strategic angle and more emphasis on finance in my work in the long-term. I therefore decided to make the switch to investor relations.
I soon joined Maitland, a specialist communications consultancy focused on financial and corporate clients, and currently work in the investor relations and research team here. We work across industries ranging from healthcare to mining and retail, as well as in markets all across the world. Our team advises clients on a variety of investor relations issues from IPOs to equity story development, investor targeting to organising Capital Markets Days and everything in between. On any given day, we will also work together with the PR and public affairs teams at our company, as investor relations is tightly intertwined with these domains. I am thrilled to be working across such a wide section of industries as well as learning about the multitude of tasks that are required of an investor relations officer today. The fact that I am doing this in London is a great pleasure and privilege that I think my degree prepared me well for.
Maitland is Europe’s leading financial and corporate communications consultancy specialising in financial and corporate PR, investor relations and public affairs. We advise many of Britain’s and the world’s finest companies on their communications with the financial markets, the media, governments and other key stakeholders.
Auli Packalén
Senior Consultant, Head of Marketing, Communicea Oy, graduated in 2002
"I lead our client projects related to implementing changes and integrating communications into management practices."
Having nearly 15 years of experience in supporting both global and Finnish organizations with the help of communications and change management, I’ve become familiar with most of the areas of communications. I graduated in 2002 after having worked two years in a communications consultancy. At the time, no Master’s in Corporate Communication existed in the Department, but I majored in the Finnish language and Communications and minored in Economics, English Business Communication, Marketing, Mathematics and Multimedia.
Now I work as a Senior Consultant in Communicea management consultancy, and lead our client projects related to implementing changes and integrating communications into management practices. In addition, I head our strategy and service portfolio development as well as marketing and I’m a member of our Management Team. Before joining Communicea I worked in another Finnish communications consultancy as Operative Director and Communications Consultant. I’m also an experienced trainer and presenter.
Davide Sassone
Project Coordinator at Québec Research and Development Centre of Aluminum (CQRDA), graduated in 2009
"I was looking for a top level master’s program, which could further improve my communication abilities, foster my skills gained during my previous studies and, above all, prepare me for a career in international management."
Since I was a teenager, the fact that I am both Italian and Finnish gave me a wide perspective and made me understand the importance of dealing with different cultures in the global and interconnected world. That is why after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University in Italy, I was looking for a top level master’s program, which could further improve my communication abilities, foster my skills gained during my previous studies and, above all, prepare me for a career in international management. For this reason I applied to the MSc in International Business Communication at the Helsinki School of Economics (currently Aalto University).
The choice turned out to be excellent for my study purposes and for my future career goals. Already before graduation I found a job in Canada at the Québec Research and Development Centre of Aluminum (CQRDA) as Project Coordinator. My tasks consist of organizing contacts and networks abroad for Québec based aluminum companies. Lately I have been in charge of organizing a commercial mission in Italy. I manage the promotion of the mission among the Québec enterprises, and take care of budgeting and logistics. While performing my tasks at work I always bear in mind the education I received in the IBC Master’s Program at the Helsinki School of Economics, and on a daily basis I apply the valuable knowledge and skills that I acquired during my master studies.
Cai Jing
Senior PR Officer, Communication and PR Department, Kone Corporation China, graduated in 2009
"I feel very happy with my present (work) life, which is full of challenges but also achievements."
I graduated from the International Business Communication Master’s Program of HSE in June 2009 and joined Kone Corporation China frontline in Sept, 2009. Previously, I had worked as a summer trainee in the Global Development Department and Marketing & Communication Department of KONE HQ Finland for three summers. I feel very proud that my studies at a Finnish university, Master’s degree in IBC and my Chinese background made me successful to get a permanent job in communications of a global company.
Being an international student, especially an Asian in Northern Europe, I felt a bit uncomfortable at the very beginning of autumn 2006 when I first started my studies in Helsinki. In addition to some obvious ‘cultural’differences there were some others related to, for example, Finnish food, climate, language, and the educational system. With the help of my teacher tutor/thesis supervisor, fellow students, and of course other faculty in the IBC program, I got used to living and studying in Finland. I feel so happy that today I am able to contribute to this Graduates at Work column - with great enthusiasm and confidence. I do appreciate what I learnt from the IBC program and from the work experience at KONE Finland.
In my work, I participate in different kinds of communication activities to learn about the ‘KONE way in China’. Since last September, I have traveled widely visiting at least ten major cities in China. I have assisted in running various kinds of PR activities such road shows for product promotions and annual meetings for important sales. I have also done some interpretation form Chinese into English when international customers and other stakeholders visit our factory premises, for example, in Kunshan. Interestingly, I have also been able to visit Finland since my graduation as I have accompanied strategic customers visiting KONE HQ in Espoo and the test tower in Tytyri. At the moment, I am preparing a poverty relief program sponsored by the KONE centennial foundation, which was launched on the Finland Day in Shanghai Expo (Finland Pavilion) on 27th May, 2010. I feel very happy with my present (work) life, which is full of challenges but also achievements.
Using ‘European’ communication knowledge and theories in China is an interesting starting point for a communication professional. Of course there are sometimes dilemmas and somewhat embarrassing situations at work since I got used to the ‘simple and straightforward’ way of Finnish/European/Western communications during my three years in Finland. However, an old saying in China is ‘we always move forward through trying’, so I believe there is a bright future waiting for me so that I can move between Finnish and Chinese cultures like fish in water.
Photo: Jing in front of the Finland Pavilion in Shanghai Expo
www.kone.com
Katariina Kataja
Investor Relations Officer, Wärtsilä Corporation, graduated in 2012
"I like the fact that my work is full of variety and I also appreciate Investor Relations because it is such a comprehensive task to do – opportunities to learn are unlimited."
I graduated from the Finnish Business Communication Master’s Program in May 2012. During my communication studies, I became enormously interested in Investor Relations as a responsibility area in listed companies. My communication studies were also supported by my earlier and minor studies in Finance and Accounting. I wanted my studies to correspond well to the job I was reaching for.
I was lucky to get fast an Investor Relations job from IT-sector, F-Secure Corporation. I got introduced to all the aspects of Investor Relations in a midsize company from updating company IR-pages to handling an Annual Report project independently. I also published stock exchange releases and coordinated investor meetings for the management, CEO and CFO in most cases.
I like the fact that my work is full of variety and also because it deals with lots of useful and interesting information about the company itself. I also appreciate Investor Relations because it is such a comprehensive task to do – opportunities to learn are unlimited.
After I had been working in a midsize company I wondered how would it like to work in a bigger company with more liquidity of the company share. This means more investor meetings and investor relation activity as a whole. I applied for Investor Relations Officer position in Wärtsilä Corporation and I was glad to hear I was chosen. Now that I have been working in Wärtsilä for four months I see that the company has many impressive ways to handle Investor Relations and the activity is strongly focused not only on the domestic but also on international market. As an example, we have several conference call requests from international investors weekly and regularly roadshows around the world after quarterly reporting. As a company Wärtsilä has an ambitious way of working, many young and intelligent people, clear organization structure and respected management.
Teemu Salmi
Senior Communicator at Nordea Bank, graduated in 2010
"I have been able to continuously refine and reap the benefits from the program in my professional communicator’s life and to leverage and develop my skills in practice."
Before and after graduating from the International Business Communication program, I have worked as a Senior Communicator & Communication Consultant at the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea region, Nordea Bank.
The academic life was precious, team assignments fascinating and faculty members real life-savers. Overall, IBC studies significantly expanded my theoretical knowledge and expertise on corporate communications, specifically at international settings. With an earlier background in communications, I have been able to continuously refine and reap the benefits from the program in my professional communicator’s life and to leverage and develop my skills in practice.
On top of this, the IBC program also enabled stepping into a fascinating path and a virtuous journey of academic wisdom, filled with milestones that indicated progress of theoretical knowledge. I found this journey to be both highly motivating from the perspective of personal growth, but also practically extremely valuable in professional life.
For professional growth and sound academic progress, I’m happy to recommend the program to potential students pursuing a corporate communicator’s profession – or highly interested in doing so.
Nordea is the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea region and operates through three business areas: Retail Banking, Corporate and Institutional Banking and Asset Management & Life. You will find more information about Nordea at www.nordea.com.
Jenni Laajarinne
Internal Communications Coordinator at Amer Sports, graduated in 2008
"Internal communication can be extremely challenging – making my job all the more interesting."
How I got interested in the intranet as a means for efficient internal communication – I do not remember. However, once I decided to do my Master’s thesis on the topic, I realized that I had found something exciting to pursue also for my career.
In my job as an Internal Communications Coordinator, I have been responsible for conducting a mini audit of Amer Sports internal communication practices. Revising current communication practices is part of a larger project where the main focus is to redesign and develop the Amer Sports intranet. Actually, we have many intranets. Amer Sports is the world’s leading sports equipment company with internationally recognized brands including Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Suunto, Precor, Mavic and Arc’teryx. With their long histories and highly established brand identities, internal communication can be extremely challenging – making my job all the more interesting.
This job is a great opportunity to put into practice what I learned in the IBC program about corporate communications, especially internal communication. Other skills acquired during my IBC studies have also come to good use, e.g. how to do research and find useful material to expand my understanding of certain topics. Since I work quite independently and our team is small, it often helps to find related examples of what others have done or researched in the area of internal communication.
The Amer Sports staff represents a number of nationalities and a variety of business cultures. Success in global competition requires determination to win, team spirit, fair play and innovation. These values support and guide our operations around the world – as well as me, in my job in internal communications.
Find out more about Amer Sports on our website.
Jon Paavilainen
Head of Public Relations, Ernst & Young (EY), graduated in 2005
"During my time at the university, I was able to develop an in-depth understanding of the corporate business environment and under what conditions companies do business there. This is, after all, a key prerequisite for credible and persuasive communication in professional contexts."
Since graduation, I have been involved in many different areas in the communications field. For instance, I have worked in the public sector, in a media analysis agency, and as a communications consultant for a number of years. I currently hold the position of ‘Head of PR’ for EY Finland (formerly known as Ernst & Young). My main professional objective is to support the company’s strategy, brand, and management and sales efforts. The central stakeholders and target groups to be taken into consideration in my role include the media, our own personnel, policy-makers, public officials and, naturally, our clients.
Having approached the field from various perspectives, I firmly believe that my studies at Aalto University School of Business provided me with a solid foundation for a career in corporate communications. During my time at the university, I was able to develop an in-depth understanding of the corporate business environment and under what conditions companies do business there. This is, after all, a key prerequisite for credible and persuasive communication in professional contexts. I also found my first proper job on the University’s notice board.
Working in communications never gets boring or seizes to fascinate, provided that you are willing to remain open-minded and adopt new methods of working. As the media landscape evolves, companies continue to innovate novel ways of interacting with their internal and external stakeholders.
I greatly enjoy running into former classmates in the working world, which occurs regularly too. One notion undoubtedly reflecting the versatile nature of my degree at Aalto University is that I have yet to meet two old acquaintances with the same job title or description. Each one of us alumni has built their own, unique career and skills set.
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. www.ey.com
Katariina Riekkola-Rautiola
Communications Specialist, SRV Group Plc., graduated in 2013
"I greatly enjoy my work because it is so versatile and I have a clear view to the core of business. Corporate communication is a fast paced function - every day is different. You need to be prepared to deal with for example crisis situations, media scrutiny, investors’ inquiries, internal communication needs and whatever is happening at the moment, keeping in mind the long-term strategy.”
I graduated in summer 2013 from International Business Communication, today known as Corporate Communication. During my studies, I worked as Project Manager of internal communication in an SME, as well as Marketing Manager in a management consulting firm.
After graduation I started in my current position as Communications Specialist in a listed company, SRV Group Plc. My main responsibilities include being in charge of investor relations and the Group’s website. In investor relations, I work in close cooperation with our CEO and CFO. I report to our Vice President, Communications. I organize capital markets days and our other IR events, and take care of the IR website. In addition, I’m in charge of our Annual Reports, and I’m in the interim reporting team. In investor relations, you need to be familiar with key ratios, financial reporting as well as the Securities Markets Act and disclosure obligations of listed companies.
On the website frontier, I just finished renewing the entire Group website and SRV Russia’s regional website. Additionally, I take part in all our internal and external communication activities, CSR, and create presentations for the CEO and the members of the Board of Directors. I greatly enjoy my work because it is so versatile and I have a clear view to the core of business. Corporate communication is a fast paced function - each day is different. You need to be prepared to deal with for example crisis situations, media scrutiny, investors’ inquiries, internal communication needs and whatever is happening at the moment, keeping in mind the long-term strategy.
In my opinion, for those wanting to work in corporate communication, the best possible education is offered at Aalto University School of Business because there you are provided with not only knowledge and skills in corporate communication, but most importantly an overall understanding of corporate business environment. This makes it possible for you to use communication as a tool to support a company’s result.
Corporate communication studies equipped me well for the work life and I truly enjoyed the program’s international atmosphere. However, there is a lot that you can learn only by working. Studying the right major subject is a great starting point, but acquiring work experience during your studies, especially working abroad, is something that employers highly value. Even after graduation it is important to have hunger for development and constantly educate yourself and push yourself to learn more.
www.srv.fi