- UNITalent is a programme at the University of Helsinki that pairs Finnish host organisations with international students and doctoral researchers.
- In the programme, the forest industry company Metsä Group established a number of contacts with international talent, and did so with relative ease. The staff's understanding of diversity also deepened.
What challenges do international students face in job seeking? And what do they think of us as an employer? These were some of the questions to which Metsä Group sought answers in the UNITalent programme.
The company operates in roughly 30 countries, and not all of the expertise needed at its domestic offices can be found in Finland. Taking diversity into account in organisational development is central to Metsä Group.
“It’s important for us to improve the possibility of working for us for specialists from different backgrounds – particularly those who don’t speak Finnish. This way, our pool of talent grows, diversity increases and our recruitment challenges are also mitigated,” says Manager Päivi Palosaari-Aubry, who oversees recruitment and onboarding at Metsä Group.
A hopeful mood from discussions
In the UNITalent period, the University of Helsinki took care of the practical arrangements, allowing Metsä Group to concentrate on providing international talent with interesting offerings, with presentations of career opportunities and personal mentoring sessions as examples of organising meetings.
A total of 20 students from fields ranging from law to mathematics and sustainability sciences were involved. The Metsä Group representatives who had pledged to serve as their mentors were very happy with the encounters.
“They gained a good perspective on a variety of talent from different backgrounds and more intergenerational understanding.”
Palosaari-Aubry estimates that the conversations instilled a hopeful mood among both parties. Even though the language requirements related to occupational safety or customer service may hinder employment in certain positions, people should not be discouraged. Other opportunities arise when the job search is somewhat widened.
“Your skills can match a fairly broad range of positions, and you will learn more at work,” says Palosaari-Aubry, offering encouragement.
“This was a very clear concept and an effectively organised whole.”
Student expectations exceeded
Yanuka Kuruppu, a student of food sciences, is also familiar with the challenges associated with finding a job. He thought UNITalent would be a good opportunity to network and get to know Finnish professional life.
The programme turned out to be even more useful. Kuruppu was able to ask Metsä Group’s representatives questions, and the open atmosphere at meetings made an impression on him.
“It was a really great experience,” Kuruppu sums up.
Among other things, he gained more information on the qualities valued in the Finnish work culture compared to his home country, Sri Lanka, and how the Finnish forest industry promotes sustainable development. Also important was getting to know his mentor, who can continue to provide good tips for job hunting.
“These contacts will help me succeed in the future,” Kuruppu avers.
What does participation require from organisations?
Through the UNITalent programme, the University of Helsinki wishes to ensure that the potential of talent who have been attracted to Finland is not wasted. Over the years, the programme has also demonstrated its capacity for inspiring and challenging employers to develop in terms of corporate responsibility.
“Many organisations have been pleased by students’ motivation, enthusiasm and potential,” says Specialist Miika Mertanen from the University’s Career Services.
Participation is free for businesses – employers only need to invest roughly 20 hours of time and the input of one or two people. While the threshold for participating is very low, businesses should make a tangible contribution in the UNITalent meetings.
“For many students, this may be their first contact with Finnish professional life,” Mertanen points out.
Metsä Group appreciates ease
According to Palosaari-Aubry, participation in UNITalent was effortless: the programme was effectively organised and the instructions were clear. With little effort, Metsä Group reached a large group of international students and got to sound their thinking.
“It’s definitely worth taking part,” she notes.
A survey conducted by Metsä Group indicated that students gained, for example, more confidence in looking for a job. This is what happened to Kuruppu. Earlier, he was uncertain about his chances of finding employment in Finland, but Metsä Group’s mentoring helped turn this attitude into a hopeful one.
“After UNITalent, I’ve felt positive about things getting better. Learning Finnish and integrating into society are worth it all,” he sums up.