Of the respondents, 23% were very satisfied with their qualification, and a combined 94% were satisfied to some extent (satisfied, quite satisfied or very satisfied). The M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Admin.) qualification was generally considered to be a good and respected foundation, opening doors to different kinds of work.
Respondents believed that studying at the university helped them to develop good communication skills in English, a familiarity with business principles, skills in analytical and structured thinking, group work and social skills, data collection skills and a good theoretical background in their own fields. A few critical comments came from the open response fields and focused mainly on requests for studies to be of an even more practical nature.
’For us, the graduate career report is an instrument for the development of our teaching. Based on the previous survey of two years ago, we have focused on the systematic development of skills such as team work, communication and project work,’ says Vice Dean Seppo Ikäheimo, who is responsible for teaching and learning in the School of Business.
’With the results of the latest survey, we plan to give greater emphasis to argumentation skills for negotiation in our teaching of practical skills. We highlight practicality in our teaching and learning in many ways, such as closer collaboration with the business world.’
New bachelor's and master's programmes starting in autumn
The School of Business will be the first of the Aalto University schools to offer the reformed bachelor's and master's degrees. The new degree programmes will begin in autumn 2013. Thanks to the new programmes, students will be offered more opportunities to take courses in other Aalto schools and to develop interdisciplinary skills, which are in increasing demand in working life. The programmes will also include practical career skills, the development of which will be monitored regularly.
The teaching method of analysing and solving real-life business challenges is increasingly being adopted. New bachelor's degree students starting at the School of Business in Helsinki in autumn will learn about Rovio's business operations from the very start of their studies. Students will also get to align theory with practice in several business case studies throughout their degrees and with several different organisations.
’The key thing is that the students learn. The most important is what the students do, not what the teacher does,’ concludes Ikäheimo.
Further information
Degree programmes starting 1 August 2013
Degree structures starting 1 August 2013
Career Development Report Summary
Education and degree reform: Vice Dean Seppo Ikäheimo, Aalto University School of Business, tel. +358 (0)50 505 4990, seppo.ikaheimo@aalto.fi
Career Development Report: Jonna Söderholm, Head of Corporate Relations and Career Services, Aalto University School of Business, tel. +358 (0)40 353 8417, jonna.soderholm@aalto.fi