For decades, the pathway of an engineering graduate has worked effectively.
In lecture halls knowledge is built, with a focus on maths, physics and engineering principles. Each summer, practical and work life skills are honed during a summer job, which aids in finding the thesis position and a graduate job. In free time, a strong student culture turns students into adults, as well as giving the connections and experiences to shape professional futures.
Financial and employment worries are placing that system under threat. According to TEK’s Student Survey, which is sent to all TEK student members in their second year of studies or above, 20 % of Finnish students are now seriously worried about their financial situation in the immediate future.
Respondents were especially worried about the adequacy of the student support system. The situation is exacerbated when a summer job from the students’ field hasn’t been done; an increasing worry in a difficult job market.
Financial worries affect all aspects of life, including students' ability to cope with their mental health. These impacts are compounded when they in turn weaken the ability to participate in student culture. It cannot be enough to simply advise students to get a job to ease their financial situation, when there aren’t those jobs available.
The ramifications of financially stressed students are broad. Innovation begins as a student, whether in the guild room with a coffee, or together with a connection made at a party. Financial pressures make these opportunities rarer, in turn limiting this important piece of building future growth in Finland.
International students under additional pressure
For international students, the percentage worried about their finances in the near future is even higher. 29% of students from other EU/ETA countries and 47% of those from non-EU/ETA countries are seriously worried about their income in the near future. Furthermore, responses to the survey highlighted the fear that not getting a summer job places on their future in Finland after graduation.
Just as for Finnish students, the summer work doesn’t just give the money to live, it gives that first foot in the door to Finnish companies. Without that, getting either the thesis place or the job after graduation is made more difficult. The impact on wellbeing also affects retention in Finland: if you have financial concerns, are you really going to be able to grow to love Finland enough to want to stay, regardless of your employment situation?
It is vital that there are opportunities available for students to get experience of working life during their studies. We strongly encourage employers to attend low threshold university recruiting events in order to engage and connect with students. In addition, working together with student associations is now more important than ever, particularly in ways that are inclusive of all students.
Finland needs all future experts, whether Finnish or international, if we are to solve the challenges of our time.
