Tips for Job Search

Job Search Resources for Social Exclusion Master’s Students at Åbo Akademi University

Work Search Basics - alis

As a student in Åbo Akademi’s Master’s in Social Exclusion program, you may be seeking job opportunities that align with your studies in social justice, human rights, advocacy, and community development. Below are tailored resources and tips to help you find work opportunities during and after your studies. Make sure to also explore LinkedIn, as it is widely used in Finland for professional networking and job opportunities in fields related to social sciences.

General Job Portals

  • TE-Palvelut: (The Employment and Economic Development Office): This is Finland’s official job and career advice service. It offers a job search portal, information on entrepreneurship, career guidance, and tailored services for non-Finnish speakers looking for work in Finland.
  • Opiskelijatöihin.fi: This site is designed to help students find part-time work, especially in customer service, retail, and hospitality. Many of the jobs listed don’t require fluent Finnish.
  • Barona: While known for jobs in logistics, IT, and service sectors, Barona also lists opportunities in healthcare, social work, and education, which might align with interests in social welfare and advocacy.
  • Jobly: Offers a wide range of jobs, including those in non-profits, research, and public policy sectors. You can search for positions based on skills in social work, policy analysis, or human rights.
  • Kuntarekry: This platform lists public sector jobs, including positions in social work, education, healthcare, and municipal roles. It’s ideal for students interested in working for government or local authorities.

Social Science and NGO-Specific Job Boards

  • ReliefWeb: A specialized platform for job opportunities in humanitarian work, human rights, and social development. It is a key resource for finding work in international organizations such as the UN, Amnesty International, or other non-governmental organizations.
  • Idealist: Focuses on jobs in non-profit organizations, NGOs, and roles in advocacy, human rights, and social services. Idealist is perfect for students who want to work in sectors like human rights or community development.
  • EuroBrussels: If you’re interested in EU policy or international human rights work, EuroBrussels is a great platform for finding policy, lobbying, and advocacy jobs within EU institutions and NGOs.
  • Global Jobs: A platform for careers in international development, policy analysis, and human rights organizations. It lists opportunities at international organizations like the UN, the World Bank, and various humanitarian agencies.

University-Specific Resources

  • Åbo Akademi Career Services: Åbo Akademi’s career center offers valuable support for students in the Social Exclusion program. They can help you connect with employers in social services, policy work, and academia through job fairs, networking events, and job portals specifically for Åbo Akademi students.
  • JobTeaser for Åbo Akademi Students: Through JobTeaser, you can explore job opportunities that are curated for Åbo Akademi students, with a particular focus on internships and early-career roles in NGOs, international organizations, and public policy.

Research and Policy Roles

  • Think Tanks and Research Institutes: For students interested in research or policy analysis, Finland has several think tanks and research institutions focusing on social policy, human rights, and societal issues.
  • Considering a PhD? If you’re thinking about continuing your academic journey after your master’s studies, pursuing a PhD is a great option. Åbo Akademi offers a supportive environment for PhD students, especially in social sciences. During your studies, take advantage of the Social Exclusion and Work-Life course mentorship program, where you can connect with current PhD researchers. These mentors can help you:
    • Develop and refine your PhD research ideas.
    • Guide you in drafting a strong PhD proposal.
    • Provide advice on funding options and application processes.

Volunteering and Internships

  • Finnish Red Cross (Suomen Punainen Risti): The Finnish Red Cross offers opportunities to volunteer and intern in projects related to migration, social inclusion, and emergency response. This is an excellent way to gain experience in advocacy and social work.
  • SOSTE (Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health): This organization represents various NGOs in the social and health sector. They often have internship opportunities that provide hands-on experience in advocacy, policy, and community development.
  • International Organizations in Finland: Finland hosts a variety of international organizations, including the UN Office in Finland, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), and Save the Children Finland, where social science graduates can find work related to peacebuilding, advocacy, and social inclusion.

Job Search Strategies:

  • Networking in Finland: Many social science roles, particularly in NGOs, advocacy groups, and community organizations, are filled through networking. Attend local events, conferences, and advocacy workshops in Turku and across Finland. Åbo Akademi often hosts events where students can engage with organizations focused on social justice and human rights. For more resources and contacts regarding internships and networking possibilities, check the list of organizations and NGOs available on our blog.
  • LinkedIn: For students interested in social exclusion and social justice work, LinkedIn is an essential platform to connect with professionals in the field. Join relevant groups such as Human Rights Advocates and Social Policy Professionals to stay informed about job openings and build a network in the sector.
  • Speculative Applications: Sending open applications to companies, even if they don’t have advertised job vacancies, is a common practice in Finland. Many companies appreciate proactive candidates, and internships or student projects can often lead to employment.

Language Skills

Finnish and Swedish Language Skills: While many NGOs and international organizations in Finland operate in English, gaining proficiency in Finnish or Swedish is considered an asset, especially for roles in public sector work or local advocacy. Åbo Akademi’s language courses, as well as community language cafes in Turku, are excellent resources for language learning.

Work After Graduation

  • Residence Permit to look for Work: After finishing your degree, you can apply for up to two-years residence permit to search for jobs or start your business in Finland. This can help extend your job search while you transition from a student to a working professional.
  • Startup and Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Finland has a supportive startup ecosystem, and international students can explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
    • Business Finland: The Finnish government offers various resources and funding opportunities for startups through Business Finland and other local incubators.
    • Boost Turku: is a student-run organization who organizes entrepreneurship-related events, accelerator programs and offers mentoring sessions for startups and for founders-to-be.

Online Courses that help with job search in Finland

The ShortCut offers two free courses, “Find a job in Finland” and “Run your own business in Finland”. You only need to sign up for Shortcut’s Learning Hub and you have access to the courses.

ENGSO stands for the European Sports NGO and is the leading voice for voluntary-based grassroots sports in Europe. They offer courses about equality and inclusion in sports, for instance when it comes to coaching.

 

By focusing on these resources and building connections with organizations that work on social justice, human rights, and social policy, you’ll be well-equipped to find relevant job opportunities during and after your studies.