Career Day at the Faculty of Education and Psychology 2025

Student, the future world of work is calling you! Come explore your dreams and the many possibilities ahead. This year’s theme is “Shapers of the Future Working Life.”

The Faculty of Education and Psychology is organizing a joint work life event for the JYU students, alumni, and staff at Ruusupuisto on October 2nd, starting at 12 PM.

Event information

Event date
-
Registration period
-
Event type
Alumni events
Student events
Business cooperation
Event language
Finnish
English
Event address

Ruusupuisto
Alvar Aallon katu 9
Jyväskylä 40600
Finland

Event organizer
Faculty of Education and Psychology
Event payment
Free of charge
Event location category
Seminaarinmäki

Welcome to Career Day of the faculty of Education and Psychology! Career Day will be organized at Ruusupuisto. 

The event will feature a variety of talks where you’ll hear from alumni and working life collaborators about the many career paths your university studies and minors can lead to. You’ll also learn about the career journeys of graduates from the faculty and how they arrived at their current roles. At the stands, you’ll have the opportunity to network and connect with alumni and working life representatives.

The event is bilingual (Finnish & English) and free of charge.

Welcome to build your future and get tips on finding employment!

Programme

  • 12:00–12:30 Welcome to Career Day! (Eng.)
  • 12:30–13:00 Taru Feldt (JYU): Career shocks in today’s working life – threat or opportunity? (Fin.)
  • 13:00–13:10 Jukka Lerkkanen (JYU): Continuous Professional Learning (Eng.)
  • 13:15–14:15 Parallel sessions, topics include:
    • Session 1: Multidisciplinary work (Fin.) / Ruusupuisto Lobby
    • Session 2: Developing international career path (Eng.) / RUU E 213 Lauri
    • Session 3: Diverse careers (Eng.) / RUU E 313 Ida
    • Session 4: Work in Societal Impact (Fin.) / RUU E 207 Toivo ​
  • 14:15–14:45 Exploring the stands
  • 14:45–15:45 Panel discussion: Forces shaping the future of work (Eng.)
  • 15:45–16:00 Wrap-up of the day (Eng.)

Speakers

Professor Taru Feld, Department of Psychology

I have been studying well-being at work for over 30 years and have seen how working life has changed dramatically. In my talk, I will discuss career shocks - unexpected situations that stop you rethinking the direction of your career. They are not career disasters, but can open the way to growth and new opportunities. I want to encourage students to embrace change with an open mind and see it as a building block for their own careers.

Jukka Lerkkanen toimii avointen yliopistojen yhteistyöverkoston Avoimen Foorumin puheenjohtajana kuluvan kaksivuotiskauden.

Director Jukka Lerkkanen, Jyväskylä Open University

Lerkkanen leads the development of JYU's continuous education activities and is the Director of the Open University. 

"Be brave in embracing the unknown and curious in seeking the new. Your future is built on the choices you make today. The opportunities of your faculty and our university are there for you – step in, try, and find your own path. Let's build together a community where learning never ends."

Panelists

Professor Kaija Collin, Department of Education

Kaija is a workplace researcher and adult educator with a special interest in workplace and organisational learning, leadership and professional development, and intergenerational learning in different organisational contexts. She also has long experience of supervising Masters and PhD students in adult education.

"Continuous learning encompasses everything we do in the world of work and has a wide range of implications for career paths and professional development."

 

Senior Researcher Ville Heilala, Senior Researcher, School of Wellbeing JYU.Well, University of Jyväskylä

Ville is a Senior Researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, focusing on applying computational methods such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to human sciences. His main aim is to explore how emerging technologies can augment learning and bring out the best in people now and in the future.

"Before my research career, I worked for over a decade as a teacher in Finnish primary education. I've personally experienced, as a teacher and a researcher, how technology has been shaping the working life in schools. The change from chalkboards and overhead projectors to the age of AI in education has been unique, and what lies in the future is up to all of us."

Head of Professional Services Hanna Liimatainen, Howspace

Hanna Liimatainen is a communications and systemic thinking professional with extensive experience in helping organizations navigate change and create more collaborative, human-centered ways of working. She has been part of Howspace’s journey from the very beginning, contributing across organizational development, learning, and technology, and today leads the company’s Professional Services.

Hanna supports organizations in reimagining work-life through digital facilitation, collaborative learning, and the meaningful use of AI. She is passionate about building environments where people feel safe, connected, and committed to shared goals — and where technology acts as an enabler of belonging and impact.

"I believe the future of work is not about tools alone, but about redesigning leadership and collaboration so that everyone has a meaningful role and voice."

Work-life and career teacher Faraz Roshanizand, Porvoo Adult Education Centre

Faraz Roshanizand has a background in chemical and civil engineering. He holds Master’s degrees in Educational Sciences from the University of Jyväskylä and in Changing Education from the University of Helsinki, along with a teacher qualification. After working as a coach at Vantaa Skills Center and as a career coach at Omnia, he now teaches work-life skills at Porvoo Adult Education Centre, supporting newcomers and jobseekers with international backgrounds.

"Be persistent and open-minded in your career. Say “yes” to opportunities, even unexpected and unrelated ones, as they can open new doors and lead to valuable experiences, reflecting the Planned Happenstance theory."

Speakers in the sessions

For a presentation of Faraz Roshanizandi (session 2), see 'Panelists'.

Session 1

teacher, entrepreneur Anni Arola, Tampere University of Applied Sciences & Idulla Education

I graduated a year ago with a Master's degree in Education (JYU, 2024) and am currently a recent entrepreneur and university teacher. My previous education includes a bachelor's degree in education, teacher of early childhood education (University of Tampere, 2009). My heart is especially close to the well-being of Finnish families and children. The focus is on emotional and interaction skills, which are at the core of well-being in all relationships throughout life. These are the skills I would like to promote through the training courses offered by my company Idulla Education. At TAMK I teach future social workers, especially early childhood education social workers. In doing so, I am expanding my own knowledge from the field of education to the world of social and health care.

My experience guides me to a courageous listening to my own instinct. To find your own path, you have to dare to understand yourself and your own values. By acting according to them, it becomes easier to cooperate in different multidisciplinary networks and encounters. As a human being for a human being.

Lauri Laattala

Session 1

Deputy Director of Daycare; Systems Specialist & CEO Lauri Laattala, City of Jyväskylä & Defra Oy

An expert in the field and practices is the best developer of operating methods. Early childhood education expertise has been gained from various jobs in the field, studies, hobbies, and positions of responsibility. Entrepreneurship and ICT tasks have also been added to the mix, where the impact on easing everyday challenges is greatest. My goal is to make work tasks easier for those who work with people. The key is to adapt your own expertise to the challenges of working life.

Jan Wikgren

Session 1

Senior Lecturer, Vice Head of Department of Psychology Jan Wikgren, University of Jyväskylä

I am a psychologist by training, but I have spent my career as a university teacher and researcher. I also have a degree in cognitive science from the UK, which gave me my first real insight into how liberating and rewarding it is to work with other people regardless of their background. In my speech, I will discuss the blessings (and also the curses) of multidisciplinarity, both in my own work history and in research in general. I believe that these observations also apply to multidisciplinary work in practice.

Session 2

Coordinator Inka Havanto, Teachers Without Borders Network, Finn Church Aid

After high school, volunteering in Uganda sparked my passion for education and justice. Since then, during past decades, I’ve explored teaching, global education, development cooperation and advocacy – from grassroots initiatives to the UN. In my talk, I’ll share how curiosity, openness, and active engagement during studies shaped my career. I encourage students to try, explore, and value teaching experience as a strong asset for any future career, and remember: building bridges opens new opportunities.  I’ll also share opportunities that Finn Church Aid and the Teachers Without Borders network offer for education professionals.

Session 2

Project Researcher & Founder Orsolya Tuba, FIER (JYU) and Finn minta 

Orsolya Tuba is a project researcher at JYU, doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, specialising in advancing action competence for planetary well-being in the age of AI. Her work integrates educational innovation, inclusive sustainability strategies, and cross-sector collaboration to build capacity and drive meaningful change for society and the environment. During her talk Orsi will explain that personal branding isn’t just for entrepreneurs; it’s for anyone who wants to share their real strengths, open new doors, and make a positive impact on others.

"Personal branding isn’t just for entrepreneurs; it’s for anyone who wants to share their real strengths, open new doors, and make a positive impact on others."
 

Session 3

International Coordinator Elisa Heimovaara, University of Jyväskylä

Session 3

Executive Director Saara Paavola, Specia – The Experts and Managerial Professionals

Where do graduates with a degree in education end up working? What kind of salary can they expect? What skills gained during studies are especially valued?

Find the answers to these and many more questions in this session by the trade union Specia! We offer up-to-date information, tailored services from career coaching to networking events, and comprehensive advocacy.

P.S. New student members get their first year for just €29 this autumn!

Session 3

Entrepreneur, workplace coach Laura Siltala, Unelmaseppä Oy

Laura Siltala is a Solution-Focused Brief Coach, pedagogue, and entrepreneur, recognized as Central Finland’s Solo Entrepreneur of the Year 2024. Through her company Unelmaseppä (Dreamsmith), she designs coaching programs, leadership trainings, and inspiring events that strengthen wellbeing and social capital both at work and in everyday life. In her talk, she shares how every study and job experience has prepared her for the next step – and how surprising paths can lead to meaningful work and entrepreneurship.

Session 4

Mayor Liisa Heinämäki (KT, YTT), City of Alavus

Acquiring, producing and using information are the keys to making a difference. In my journey from the municipality to the university, the government research institute, the ministry, the Prime Minister's Office and my current job, I learned that influencing decisions is done with knowledge, work and understanding. You also need desire, will and fire. Influencing is people-to-people - are you ready to influence yourself?

Session 4

CEO Soile Koriseva, Elinkeinoelämän Oppilaitokset EOL ry

I have been working in the field of education and skills advocacy for about 20 years in various capacities. My interest in social influence, sparked by my hobbies and my involvement in organisations during my student days, became a career that I did not plan, but one that I took consciously and courageously, also looking "outside the box". Be brave to make choices that are not so obvious!

Session 4

Organisational Development Support Pia Pistol Diboine, General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union

I work in the Organisational Development Unit of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, where I work on various organisational development projects and internal networking. I want to share my experience with students and make visible the variety of career paths that can be followed within the EU. My story is about how a Jyväskylä-based polytechnic graduate can end up in an international, challenging job at the Council of the European Union in Brussels. The EU needs more than just translators and political scientists! The absolute requirements for a career in the EU are: language skills (at least Finnish and English), willingness and ability to learn, curiosity and courage.

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