University of Oulu graduates view their degrees and early careers positively

"The 2025 career monitoring survey cohort is particularly interesting from the perspectives of both the coronavirus pandemic and recent employment trends", says Jarkko Impola, Solution Designer responsible for career monitoring at the University of Oulu.

Although Finland’s weakened labour market situation is also visible among highly educated professionals, more than 90% of the University of Oulu graduates who responded to the career monitoring survey were employed at the time of the survey. However, the years following graduation had also included some periods of unemployment, although these were primarily short-term.

The results indicate that satisfaction with the degree from a career perspective remained high among those who graduated during the pandemic. The vast majority of respondents (90% of master's graduates and 89% of doctoral graduates) were satisfied with their degree in terms of career development. Similarly, most respondents were satisfied with their careers at the time of the survey. Satisfaction levels were highest on average in the fields of medicine and technology.

Ability to learn and initiative are highly valued in working life

According to respondents, the factors that most strongly promoted employment were the ability to communicate one's expertise, previous work experience, and the combination of subjects studied during university education. Factors considered less important included hobbies and activity on social media. The key factors contributing to employability have remained relatively consistent over time.

Approximately two-thirds (70%) of the master's graduates who responded to the survey considered their degree to have been a requirement for their current position. Among those working in roles not directly aligned with their field of study, many indicated that personal interests or additional education had guided them toward their current careers. Difficulty in finding employment in one's own field was cited as a reason in approximately 15% of responses.

Most respondents felt that their degree was valued and that they could recommend their education to others.

Among doctoral graduates, slightly more than half of the respondents reported that a doctoral degree had been either a formal requirement or a prerequisite for their current position. Many of the remaining respondents nevertheless considered the expertise gained through doctoral studies to be central to their current work.

According to University of Oulu master's graduates, the most important skills required in working life were the ability to learn and adopt new knowledge, self-direction and initiative, problem-solving skills, and collaboration skills. These were also rated highest when respondents were asked which competencies their university education had developed most effectively. Challenges were identified in areas such as stress management and organisational and coordination skills, where respondents felt university studies could have provided more support.

Among doctoral graduates, the skills most strongly emphasised as necessary for their work were problem-solving skills, the ability to learn and adopt new knowledge, and systematic thinking skills.

Career monitoring survey underway – Respond and help us improve education

The national university career monitoring survey is once again underway. The survey targets individuals who graduated five years ago, including those who completed a master's degree, Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, or Licentiate degree in Medicine or Dentistry in 2021, as well as those who completed a doctoral degree in 2023. Members of the target groups are contacted personally.

All alumni belonging to the target group are encouraged to participate, as the results are highly significant. By responding to the survey, you can help current and future students in your field to recognize their competencies and develop their professional skills.

“The career monitoring survey provides us with valuable information about how effectively our education has prepared alumni for the challenges of working life. We hope that everyone in the target group will respond and help us further develop our activities,” says Jarkko Impola.

In addition to supporting the development of education at the University of Oulu, the survey results are used in student career guidance. The results may also be utilised in research. The number and quality of survey responses influence the funding universities receive from Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture.

More information about the survey and its implementation on Graduates in working life web page

University of Oulu faculty-specific career monitoring reports for master’s graduates

Information on higher education graduates’ employment outcomes: Töissä.fi

National reports and visualizations are available through the Vipunen Education Statistics Service: Career Monitoring