For recent graduates

After graduation, the world is wide open and full of possibilities. How can you venture forward to make the career path you want? What kind of work would you like to do? What kind of life should you lead?

The alumni community is here to support you as you transition from the University to the world of work. Explore our services and events, and meet other alumni who can help you find your own path.
Think Forward

How to find your path in life? How can you redesign your career?

Think Forward is a series of recorded lectures and workshops that guides you to think about your future and your life broadly. It is inspired by the Designing your life concept by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.

The lectures will introduce you to design thinking as a philosophy and the fundamental tools of design like mapping your dream life, reframing problems and testing. In the workshops, you will dive deeper into design tools and exercises with other alumni.

Join us and find your best direction towards a meaningful and happy life! 

Who is Think Forward for? 

Think Forward has been developed specifically for recent graduates to support them in their transition to working life and in finding their own path. 

The online lectures and accompanying materials are available to all alumni on the Helsinki Alumni Hub. You can find the materials on the Recent graduates page under Participate.

The workshops are aimed specifically at alumni who have graduated in the last five years.

  • Workshops are organised once a year during the spring and there are limited spaces available.
  • You can participate in Finnish and English. The workshops are held live in Helsinki.

Check out the next workshop dates from our events calendar and sign up!

Support for your job search
Tips on developing your skills

The University of Helsinki MOOC Center hosts a variety of open courses. You can access all of them without an account.

Whether you would like to learn more about programming, AI, cats or dogs, you can utilise these courses whenever and wherever you are. You can also receive credits if you would like to include the courses in a degree.

There are more extensive study modules as well as individual courses available.

Do you want to stay informed about the latest research? There is a lot of open access material available that anyone can utilise.

The University Library has gathered a list of resources and databases to help you find the material you need. Be it scientific publications or perhaps free online courses that you are looking for, this list is a great place to start.

Is entrepreneurship your dream? Do you need support with clarifying your ideas?

Helsinki Think Company has gathered many great resources into their open Knowledge Bank. You can find the best tips, tools and contacts to get you further as an entrepreneur.

The Knowledge Bank is meant for anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship, starting up a business or looking for information on how to turn their research into a commercial success. Among the resources are web courses, information about funding opportunities, relevant tools and many other essential tips.

The materials are fully in English.

Are you looking for some inspiration to your job hunt? Would you like to know more about AI in working life, entrepreneurship or perhaps how to use LinkedIn?

Check out the Working Life Now webinar series, produced by the Helsinki Alumni team and Career Services. The series dives into the basics of job applications but also current topics in working life. Whether you are looking for a new job or planning a new direction for your career, you can utilise the webinars in your own time.

Our expert speakers include our own university specialists, alumni and others. New webinars are published regularly.

Discover more materials in the Helsinki Alumni Hub

The easiest place to find all services and materials for recent graduates is the Helsinki Alumni Hub. You fill get updates and tips on current events, issues and possibilities that are not on this page.

You can find the Recent graduates page under the Participate heading, when you log in to the portal. Make sure to follow the discussion area at the bottom of the page to get notified with latest tips!

If you encounter any issues logging in or using the service, please contact us at alumni@helsinki.fi.