91青青草

School of Business

Alumni stories: Economics

On this page you can read stories of alumni graduated from the School of Business Economics program. The newest publications are placed first in the page.

Alum Elina Valtonen: 鈥楽tudy broadly everything that interests you鈥

Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and alum of the School of Business majoring in financial economics Elina Valtonen would do the same now as she did 20 years ago while studying: she would study a wide range of subjects that interest her and would also boldly venture into areas outside her comfort zone, as that is where the most learning happens.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, School of Business alum Elina Valtonen

Alum Maija Keskinen: I enjoy learning new things and trying out different roles

Our alum, Maija Keskinen, knew from the start that she wanted to study economics. "Meaningful work to me means being able to serve society and do my part to ensure that decisions made in public administration are based on the highest quality information possible," Keskinen explains.

Picture of Maija Keskinen

Former economics student Soila H枚ijer ended up in IT and enjoyed her work

鈥業 want to encourage girls to partake in the diverse IT sector鈥

Lahjoittajien sein盲teos /  Donors Wall at Aalto BIZ. Photo: Mikko Raskinen

Alumna Minna Kuusisto: The most beneficial aspects of my studies were the continuous challenging of oneself and learning to learn

Our Economics alumna Minna Kuusisto, who works as an Economist at Finnfund, has gained experience from banking, sustainable business consulting and development financing in her career, among other things. 鈥淢y advice is: be curious and network with those people whose career paths you find interesting, already during your study time. Almost everybody will be delighted by a coffee or lunch invitation鈥.

School of Business alumna Minna Kuusisto

Alumna G枚ksu Sarig枚l: My internship prepared me for the next chapter of my professional life

Our alumna G枚ksu Sarig枚l did an internship during her studies through the School of Business Internship Programme for foreign students. 鈥業 was lucky that the School of Business Career Services helped me in this part of my career.鈥

School of Business alumna G枚ksu Sarig枚l

Alumni Ambassador Timo L枚yttyniemi: More important than getting good grades is to be eager to learn a wide range of things

Timo L枚yttyniemi, who worked as the Vice Chair of the Single Resolution Board in Brussels from 2015 to 2019, underlines the ability to change in today鈥檚 working life. 鈥溾橝gility鈥 is a good term to describe the true way of working amidst all the changes鈥, says L枚yttyniemi.

Currently, L枚yttyniemi is the CEO of The State Pension Fund of Finland (2020).

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Timo L枚yttyniemi

Alumni Ambassador Kari Janhunen: I was encouraged to go and work abroad because of internships spent abroad

Internships abroad spurred our alumnus Kari Janhunen to seek work abroad. He has spent 20 years of his work career abroad in different positions within international finance.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Kari Janhunen

Alumni Ambassador Petteri Vartiainen: It is important to acknowledge your personal set of values and be ready to hold on to them

鈥淚nteraction always plays a key role at work, regardless of the task鈥, says the School of Business alumnus Petteri Vartiainen.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Petteri Vartiainen

Alumni Ambassador Sirkka H盲m盲l盲inen: Each job has its effect on one鈥檚 career path

The former Bank of Finland Head Sirkka H盲m盲l盲inen emphasizes the importance of extensive, high quality common knowledge in working life success.

School of Business Alumni Ambassador Sirkka H盲m盲l盲inen

Elina Bj枚rklund

School of Business Alumna of the Year 2018 Elina Bj枚rklund is the CEO of Reima. She has graduated from the Helsinki School of Economics. Before Reima she worked at Iittala.

Elina Bj枚rklund

Explore study options

School of Business Economics

Economics, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

The Economics programme prepares students to structure and understand the world through in-depth economic expertise and strong analytical skills, combined with computation and data processing skills. It is meant for students who are fascinated by complex challenges such as climate change, inequality and innovation, and want to address these challenges in an analytical manner. Students have the unique opportunity to be part of Helsinki Graduate School of Economics, formed by Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, and University of Helsinki, that aims to train the future generation of world-class economists.

Study options
Student sitting outside of the School of Business building

Economics, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)

The Economics programme provides tools and knowledge to understand and explain current phenomena in the world from an economic perspective.

Study options

Department of Economics

The Department of Economics provides a comprehensive insight into the functioning of economies and the environment in which companies operate.

Read more
Outside picture of the School of Business building in Otaniemi. Three Aalto Flags swinging in front of the building.
School of Business alumni stories
For School of Business alumni
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!