Career Services' Guidance, Social Media and Contact Details

Coronavirus affects Career Services’ functions as follows:

Career counselling
For now, we’ll give only virtual counselling sessions. We will contact directly those who have booked a counselling session.

Walk-in job search support
This service is conducted online. Please scroll down for more information.

Job Search and LinkedIn workshops
In case of these, we will follow the situation and will contact those who have enrolled in case the sessions have to be canceled or transferred online.

Group mentoring
We will contact the actors and mentors directly about the possibilities for online group meetings and closing event.

Traineeships abroad
More information how coronavirus affects on traineeships you'll find on theme Traineeships.

Career Services follows the development of the situation and the University's guidelines. For general information about the coronavirus situation at the University, follow the Instructions for Students:
https://guide.student.helsinki.fi/en

Are you wondering how to apply for jobs or traineeships? Do you need practical tips for drafting your CV and job application?

We offer walk-in job search support on Tuesdays from 12pm to 2pm. 

You don’t need to make an appointment, just drop in and get your questions answered. Job search support covers following issues:

• feedback on your CV and cover letter
• practical questions concerning job search
• questions concerning traineeships, including funding for traineeships.

Please note: 20 min/student max.

Due to the exceptional circumstances our walk in job search support is conducted online on Zoom. We will publish a link to the job search support on this page at least 5 minutes before the walk-in -session starts. After clicking the link you will arrive in a lobby room in which we will assign you to one of our experts. Bear in mind that you might have to wait for a while.

NB! The next walk-in session will take place in September 2020. 

Please note that job search support is not career counselling. If you are considering questions related to your future career, such as your career aspirations or your personal competences and strengths, make an appointment for career counselling below.

Career Services organizes several groups and workshops during the spring to support career and study planning and job search.

Boost to studies and career groups

Do you feel that your studies are not progressing as quickly as you would like? Have you lost sight of the goal of your studies? Do you have problems with time management? Do you need help in finding your strengths and recognising your skills? Do you need peer support? 

If you answered any of the above questions in the affirmative, Guidance Corner’s Boost to studies and career groups may be just the thing for you!

Groups’ themes:

• Smart goal
• Find your skills
• Goal in mind, shaky time management

You’ll find more information, dates and registration form on Guidance Corner’s site.

Job search and LinkedIn workshops

Get the best tips from our Career Counselors on job search, fixing your CV and LinkedIn!

• Job search workshops
  How to begin job searching? How do I write a good application and CV and stand out from other candidates? What kind of possibilities does social media offer for job search? How do I find jobs from the hidden job market? In the workshop, you will get the opportunity to read and comment on the other participants’ CVs in an encouraging environment.
• LinkedIn workshops
  Update your LinkedIn-profile to a whole new level! In this workshop we will look at your LinkedIn-profile especially from the point of view of job search and networking. 
  What do the recruiters pay attention to in your LinkedIn-profile? How do you stand out from the other candidates? You will receive help in writing your profile text, get the opportunity to comment on other students LinkedIn-profiles and receive constructive feedback on your own profile. 

You’ll find more information, dates and registration form on Career Services’ event calendar.

What is career counselling?

Career counselling provides support for developing self-knowledge, mapping out career aspirations and opportunities, making decisions related to careers and planning future careers. In addition to discussions, career guidance may employ various methods and techniques to improve the career skills of those receiving counselling. The objective of career guidance is, through joint discussions, to provide you with tools for finding answers and clearing your thoughts.

You can make an appointment for career counselling if you are considering, among other things, the following:

• questions related to your future career, such as your career aspirations
• various career options
• your personal competence and strengths.

Examples of typical student questions:

•  “I am uncertain of my own areas of interest and bothered by the future.”
•  “I am not sure about what my degree qualifies me to do.”
•  “I hope that career counselling will make my objectives clearer so that I will know better what to prioritise in job seeking.”
•   “I’m looking for viewpoints on what kind of career options I might have based on my education.”

What is not included in career counselling?

Career counselling is not student advice. Career counsellor cannot give you ready-made solutions for your life, but they are here to help you brainstorm and make your own plans and decisions. Neither can career guidance specialists take stands on issues or make decisions on your behalf, but they will help you weigh different options.

• Book an appointment for career counselling

E-counselling

UH Career Services do offer also e-counselling sessions. These sessions are conducted using a video call. With this service we are aiming to provide more flexible career counselling services for our students. 

We use a software called “Zoom”. Using Zoom is free of charge.

How to prepare for your e-counselling session?

1. Before you book your e-counselling session, make sure that during the session you have

• a computer or mobile device with an internet connection and a webcam
• a headset (or other speakers and a microphone)
• a quiet place, where you are able to discuss freely.

2. Book your virtual counselling session by selecting "e-counselling" in the appointment booking system.

3. A few days before your session your career counsellor will send you a link which you can use to join the call when your session is about to start. You will also receive detailed instructions for using Zoom.

• Book an appointment for career counselling

Ethical principles

Confidentiality, respect and independence are the central ethical principles of career counselling. The counselling is always based on the goals of the client, respect and confidential interaction. The process is always oriented to the client.

The premise of career guidance is support for the client’s independent activities, strengthening their agency and participation. This operating principle can also be described with the words “respectful support”. More information on ethical principles.

The Ambassador will answer questions on employment opportunities offered by various EU bodies, as well as provide details on future and ongoing traineeships, application procedures and eligibility criteria. If you are interested in a career within the EU and you need help to navigate through the application process you can meet the Careers Ambassador in person.

NB! Guidance is currently given in English exclusively!

You can contact the Ambassador by email: eucareers.helsinki@gmail.com. You'll find the EU Careers Ambassador also on Facebook.

• Detailed information can be found on European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
• Please find an updated guide to Finnish applicants for EU competitions – feel free to share it!

Need help polishing your CV? Want some tips for a successful job interview or in recognizing your strengths? Alumni Ambassadors are here for you!

The Alumni Ambassador program is offered for free by the University of Helsinki Alumni Association. The goal of the program is to help students begin their job search with confidence.

Alumni Ambassadors are volunteers who can give feedback on students’ CVs and LinkedIn profiles, as well as help them make connections with companies and individuals in their fields. Ambassadors are also happy to answer questions regarding work and skills required for certain fields.

The Alumni Association has a vast existing network of former students they are connected with via LinkedIn and Ambassadors are easy to contact through the platform.

How does the program work?

Check out our short video explaining the program.

Read more and take a look at the current Ambassadors on our website!

Take part in the program!

Career Services organises Think Career events, info events and workshops related to job seeking and career opportunities. Keep up with Career Services by checking the event calendar.

You can find Career Services through the following social media channels:

Facebook:

• Urapalvelut HY: By following the Career Services Facebook page, you will be the first to receive information on events and other tips to your feed.
• UH Career Forum: The group connects international students, alumni and other individuals with an international orientation.

YouTube: Videos published by Career Services are available on its YouTube channel.

Instagram: Photos are available on the Career Services Instagram account.

Blogs:

• Career Services – Expert articles in Finnish, Swedish and English are available on the Career Services blog.
• The Group Mentoring blog covers everything related to the Group Mentoring Programme coordinated by Career Services.

Please use email when you have questions related to

• Job seeking, career guidance or planning, Career Services training or events
  careerguidance@helsinki.fi
   
• Traineeships
  traineeships@helsinki.fi
   
• Other matters
  careerservices@helsinki.fi
   

Career counsellors:

Sanna Grannas
Career counselling
Career orientation studies and training
Career planning courses for doctoral students

Jarkko Immonen
Career counselling
Career orientation studies and training

Leena Itkonen 
Career counselling
Career orientation studies and training
Career planning courses for doctoral students

Johanna Ruhanen
Career counselling
Career orientation studies and training

Anna Storgårds
Career counselling
Career orientation studies and training
Services for international students

Salla Wilén
Career counselling
Career orientation studies and training

Traineeships:

We are closed for summer holidays from 17 July to 6 August 2020.

Marika Jokioja
Traineeships
University funding for traineeships

Sara Pakarinen
Traineeships
University funding for traineeships

Employer Services:

Career Services for employers can be found in the University of Helsinki website at Employer Services For You.