Vaasa Spouse Programme Career Club helps international talent build their careers in Finland

Harnessing the potential of international talent is crucial for the Vaasa region and the Finnish job market. The Vaasa Spouse Programme Career Club helps highly skilled international spouses integrate into the workforce, so that their expertise could contribute to the region’s development.

The Vaasa Spouse Programme Career Club provides international spouses with career development opportunities, networking, and insights into Finnish work culture. The second round of this initiative concluded in October 2024.

– The Career Club has helped me understand the Finnish work culture and job market. It provided me with a platform to connect with other international spouses and potential employers. It developed my job-seeking skills like CV and cover letter writing, interview techniques, and networking strategies. Above all, it boosted my confidence in my abilities, says Stella Chilekezi, one of the participants.

Stella Chilekezi, originally from Nigeria, has a background in project management and procurement. The Career Club boosted her confidence in her abilities.

Like many spouses, Chilekezi already has relevant work experience from elsewhere. She has a solid background in project management and procurement. For her future career in Finland, she welcomes other possibilities as well.

– I am open to exploring various career opportunities in Finland. I am eager to learn and grow and I’m confident in my ability to adapt to new challenges and environments.

Contributions from industry experts

The Career Club, running from September to October 2024, included a series of workshops and sessions designed to enhance participants’ career prospects. It covered topics such as career mapping, personal branding, and entrepreneurship.

Participants also engaged in practical sessions on CV building, interview techniques, and networking strategies, with contributions from industry experts from companies like Wärtsilä, ABB, Design Centre Muova, Danfoss, and Hitachi Energy.

– In our role, it’s important to support the Career Club in offering international spouses a sneak peek into career development opportunities in the Vaasa region. The Career Club provides excellent networking opportunities and insights into Finnish work culture. We truly want to help members feel more at home in Finland. In the best-case scenario, everyone benefits: highly skilled individuals find their way into the workforce, and the workforce gains much-needed international expertise, says Elise Raittila, Project Manager at Design Centre Muova, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences.

Elise Raittila, Project Manager at Design Centre Muova spoke at the Career Club closing event.

Johanna Keturi, HSE and Sustainability Development Specialist at ABB Oy, IEC LV Motors, sees that participation in the Career Club is well aligned with ABB’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy 2030:

– 'At ABB, we are committed to solving some of the biggest global challenges of our time. This is only possible through our exceptional people who work every day, towards this endeavour. A culture of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity is critical to our business success and makes us stronger. At ABB we strive for a culture where individual differences are not only welcomed but celebrated', she quotes the strategy.

Pilot round for Doctoral candidates and Master’s students

Md. Enamul Hasan got the opportunity to participate in the Career Club as a Doctoral candidate.

This is now the second time the Vaasa Spouse Programme Career Club was organised. The first round was open only for Vaasa Spouse Programme members. This time, limited spots were offered also to international Doctoral candidates and Master’s students, as a pilot. Their experience was positive.

– The Career Club has set a strong foundation for my future career journey in Finland. Through its workshops on Finnish work culture, career mapping, and personal branding, I’ve gained valuable insights to refine my goals and professional presence. Practical sessions on CV building and recruitment processes have tailored my approach to the Finnish job market, while group tasks have enhanced my teamwork and problem-solving skills. As I continue my career path, I look forward to applying these learnings to achieve meaningful success in Finland, says Md. Enamul Hasan, a Doctoral candidate from the School of Accounting and Finance at the University of Vaasa.

Catherine D’Costa, an M.Sc student in Strategic Business Development, adds:

– The Career Club provided invaluable networking opportunities and access to industry insights. The workshops enhanced my resume and interview skills, giving me the confidence I needed to approach potential employers. Additionally, the workshops allowed me to realise my soft skills. Overall, it has been instrumental in guiding my career journey in Finland.