In this post we share our experiences as three international students who’ve each taken different paths to finding opportunities in Finland. Our stories cover everything from volunteering and networking to the hidden job market, part-time jobs, and jobs in academia. We’ll talk about the challenges we faced, the lessons we learned, and the small steps that made a big difference. Through sharing our stories, we hope to inspire and equip you with practical tips to navigate your own job search in Finland.
Networking & volunteering – finding my way by connecting and staying active
Hi! I’m Beatriz, a master’s student in Teaching, Learning and Media Education at Tampere University. Before starting my studies in Tampere, I had already lived in Finland for four years and worked for a few different organizations. My professional background is in Marketing and Communications, and I’ve always been fascinated by how people connect and learn through digital spaces.
I had heard many times that landing jobs in Finland isn’t easy, and I won’t sugarcoat it: it can indeed be very challenging, as language, confidence, and limited networks can easily become barriers. However, there are lots of things you can do to open more doors. To me, a lot of it came through volunteering and networking.
My journey started with small steps. I began with short-term, hourly work that allowed me to use my communication skills while studying. That experience grew into my first internship, which taught me how Finnish workplaces operate and how much value is placed on trust and initiative. One opportunity naturally led to another. Each time, my network expanded a little more, and so did my confidence. By the time I moved on to my next internship, I was already seeing how relationships and visibility could shape my professional path here.
Over time, I started being more intentional about networking. I volunteered at startup events across the country, like Slush and Polar Bear Pitching, and those experiences completely changed the way I approach career growth. They helped me gain experience, improve my collaboration skills, and gave me a sense of belonging in professional spaces. Through those connections, new opportunities appeared more naturally, and I began to see how important it is to stay curious and involved.
If I could share one piece of advice with other international students, it would be this: don’t wait until you “feel ready” to start connecting – you can start small, but you must stay active and seek opportunities. Treat every project, event, and volunteer shift as a chance to make connections. In Finland, your next opportunity often comes from someone who has already seen your enthusiasm and reliability in action, so making interactions count is very important.
Hidden in plain sight: internships and jobs as a student
Beatriz is absolutely spot on. It’s the meaningful connection that led me to my opportunity.
Hi everyone, I’m Tanveer, a second-year Master’s student in the Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services program. I’ve been living in Finland for about a year, having previously worked in Bangladesh as a copywriter for advertising agencies. I wanted to continue working in a similar role here too. But, and that’s a big but, as reported in newspapers and echoed by friends and others, the unemployment situation in Finland seemed to be worsening, and companies weren’t hiring. A completely new language and culture added to the challenge. So, what did I do?
I didn’t rush. I trusted myself and my abilities and didn’t immediately jump into work. I took my time to understand the city, the way of life, and the people. Moreover, being a student, I could work only up to 30 hours a week, so I needed to find part-time work that would balance my studies.
In the meantime, I attended job fairs at the university and beyond, as well as networking events at Platform 6, International House Tampere, and various city events. I also took part in an absolutely interesting project with Demola, which provides students with real-world project opportunities to network, build connections, and even earn credits. There, I met my first Finnish reference for my CV.
In Finland, as elsewhere, it’s natural for companies to look for someone they can trust. Honesty is one of the core pillars of Finnish society, and the connection I made at Demola proved invaluable in strengthening my CV.
During one of my study visits, I went to an assistive technology company called Quha, located in Nokia, the town where the Nokia company was originally founded. I struck up a conversation with Quha’s Head of Marketing, and based on my understanding of the company, I later emailed them my CV along with a presentation outlining what I could offer.
Obviously, they weren’t looking to hire. What you need to know about Finnish companies is that they tend to be lean. They’re extraordinarily efficient, run by small but highly capable teams. So, after the initial rejection, I followed up with a new proposal, this time for an internship.
Tampere University provides internship vouchers for students, a grant given to the company where a student interns, to promote real-world work experience. That internship voucher, along with my reference from Demola, paved the way for me to secure a full-time internship over the summer. After completing the internship, I was offered a part-time role at the company.
When you’re in Finland and looking for work, you’ll often hear about the hidden job market. Not many will be able to clearly explain what it means. My experience is a good example: the hidden job market consists of roles that companies do not advertise, and sometimes, roles that don’t even exist yet, until you show them the value you can bring.
These hidden opportunities are often uncovered through the contacts and connections you make, or through how you approach a company. Remember, first impressions matter, but leaving a lasting impression matters even more. And in Finland, that’s achieved through integrity, honesty, and efficiency.
Here’s to doing what you love, and if not, to hustling until you get there.
From struggling to scoring: How I found my place through football and media
Hi, I’m Amine, a bachelor’s student in the International Science and Engineering programme at Tampere University. I’ve been living in Tampere for two years now, and like many international students, my job search didn’t start off easy. I applied to many places, but finding that first opportunity was challenging — especially when you’re still learning how things work here.
My breakthrough came when I found a position as a data collector for the Finnish football league, Veikkausliiga. It wasn’t directly related to my field of study, but it combined two things I loved: football and analysis. That job gave me not only practical experience but also the chance to meet people, understand Finnish work culture, and build a small professional network.
Later, our programme offered a position as a social media community manager. Since I’ve always been passionate about photography and digital media, I decided to apply, and I got it. That six-month job turned out to be an incredible experience. I learned how to communicate effectively online, manage campaigns, and represent our student community.
But it didn’t stop there. As Tanveer mentioned, connections really do open new doors. Through my work as a data collector, I had already met people in the local football scene. I decided to email Ilves FC, the Tampere football club, and to my surprise, they offered me a part-time position as one of their social media community managers.
Looking back, I realize that every small step led to the next. Even when it seemed like nothing was working out, staying active, following my interests, and reaching out to people made all the difference. In Finland, sometimes your path appears one opportunity at a time, you just have to keep moving forward and be ready when the next one shows up.
About the writers
