Career

Upon completion of the programme, you will have gained expertise in a number of scientific and professional skills, including, depending on your specialist option:

Assessment of geological materials (minerals, rock types, bedrock, groundwater)
Understanding the genesis and sustainable use of mineral commodities
Sustainable use of the environment from the Earth Science perspective
Palaeontology and modelling global change using the geological record
The physical evolution of the Earth (plate tectonics, interplay of the mantle and crust)
Independent and team-driven project research
High-level scientific writing (M.Sc. thesis and related work)
Presentation of scientific results to scientists, students, and the general public

Career services

Studies are part of your career. At the University of Helsinki, all degrees include career planning. The Career Services at the University of Helsinki, in cooperation with degree programmes, supports the growth of your expert identity as part of your studies and with separate services.

From the start of your studies until one year after the completion of your degree, the Career Services supports your career path.

Career Services

gives career counselling and job seeking support,
arranges info sessions, workshops and events,
provides suitable job and traineeship offers for students,
shares university’s subsidy for traineeships and
facilitates group mentoring programmes.

Check out the Career Services on the Instructions for students “Work and Career” and “Traineeships”.

Alumni story:”People who know you also know your skills”

Pelayo Barrón from Spain wanted to study in the Master’s Programme in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Helsinki even though he knew nothing of Finland in advance. He was convinced in his choice by the high level of education. Now his life is here, as his studies provided him with important networks.

Alumni story: “I chose the University of Helsinki for its commitment to solving environmental and sustainability issues”

The Master’s Programme in Geology and Geophysics enables students to delve deeply into the workings of the earth and to become sought-after multidisciplinary experts in the field.

We talked with two former students and one teacher about their experience of studying and teaching in the programme. Lilia Orozco from Mexico graduated from the Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology study track in 2019 and is now pursuing her PhD in the Doctoral Programme in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki. Pelayo Barrón from Spain graduated from the programme in 2020 and is currently working in the mining sector in Finland. David Whipp is Professor of Geodynamic Modelling and the director of the Master’s programme in Geology and Geophysics.

HelsinkiUni International Talent Programme (HITP) 

Would you like to build a career in Finland? Do you want to build professional networks during your studies and get valuable insight into Finnish working life? Then you should apply for the HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme (HITP).  

HITP is a group mentoring programme where Finnish companies and international students are brought together to share ideas and to learn from each other. 

What will you gain from HITP? 

Successful applicants are placed in a group and assigned a mentor from a Finnish company or organization. When applying you can choose which of the participating companies interest you the most. 
You will receive support in growing your network among both professionals and fellow students. During the programme your group will meet 4–5 times virtually or when the situation allows, on the company premises. Themes for the meet-ups include a company introduction and an overview on current competency requirements in that specific field.  You will also get to present your own skills to the company.
When HITP has been completed, the goal is that cooperation can continue between the student and the company if both parties wish to do so.

More information about the HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme.

Improve your career options with Finnish

Although it is easy for international students to get by with English in the Helsinki region, learning Finnish will significantly improve your career options after graduation.

The University of Helsinki offers free Finnish language courses for enrolled international degree students. The beginners and intermediate level courses are not only a way to learn the language, but you also learn more about Finnish culture and get to network with other international students across the fields.

Information about the Finnish courses for international students in the Instructions for students.

Doctoral education

After completing a Master of Science degree you will be eligible to apply for postgraduate studies leading to a Doctoral or Licentiate degree in Geology or Geophysics.

More information about doctoral education at the University of Helsinki.

Alumni of the University of Helsinki

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 Helsinki alumni community is there to support you as you transition from the University to the world of work.

All previous University of Helsinki degree and exchange students, as well as staff, are our alumni. As a member of the University of Helsinki alumni network, Finland’s largest network of experts, you get valuable support, knowledge and contacts for your working life.

More information about the Helsinki alumni community and its activities.

Find alumni of the University of Helsinki on Linkedin.

More about the programme