Alumni: respond to the career monitoring survey

The annual career monitoring survey, open from 1 October to 7 December 2026, charts Aalto graduates’ transition into employment, as well as their study and career experiences. The survey will be sent to Aalto alumni who earned a master’s degree five years ago or a doctorate three years ago.

As the results of the career monitoring survey for master’s graduates is one of the performance indicators used in the universities’ core funding model of the Ministry of Education and Culture, they have a direct effect on university funding. The survey also serves as an important tool for the university to develop its teaching, while also providing essential information about the world of work for young people reflecting on their studies.

Results from 2025: Aalto master's degrees provide valued expertise and lead to employment 

The survey of 2025 shows that a degree from Aalto University is a worthwhile investment. Of those who graduated with a master’s degree in 2020, the 36 per cent responded to the survey. At the time of the survey, 93 per cent of the respondents were either in an employment relationship or self-employed. 

The private sector employs the highest share of Aalto graduates: a total of 75 per cent of respondents worked for a company, while 7 per cent worked at a university and 4 per cent in government agencies. Five per cent of respondents were entrepreneurs. A total of 47 per cent of the respondents had been either entrepreneurs or working for the same employer for the entire five-year period following their graduation.

Ninety (90) per cent of respondents were satisfied with the career relevance of their degree, while as many as 92 per cent felt that employers valued their degree, and 91 per cent would recommend their degree to others.

Master’s graduates were also asked about the factors they felt had had the greatest impact on their employment after graduation. The most important factor that emerged was the ability to communicate their expertise to others. Other key factors mentioned included internships and other work experience, as well as the combination of subjects studied for the degree. As for the most important skills required in their current job, respondents highlighted problem-solving skills, the ability to learn and adapt to new things, as well as self-direction and having initiative. 

When asked to give advice to current students, the respondents underlined teamwork and interpersonal skills. Other key skills mentioned included public speaking, argumentation and networking. Regarding networking, the alumni encouraged students to take part in events and get to know students from different disciplines during their time at the university. 

While the importance of knowing how to use artificial intelligence effectively, flexibly and critically became evident in the responses, the respondents also emphasised that AI must not replace the development of independent thinking and the ability to learn. 

Doctorate holders generally happy with the career opportunities brought by their degree 

Forty (40) per cent of those who earned a doctorate at Aalto University in 2022 responded to the career monitoring survey of autumn 2025. The vast majority of them worked in specialist roles. On average, the respondents were satisfied with the career opportunities opened up by their degree, also evidenced by the fact that three-quarters of them had never been unemployed since completing their degree. 

More than half of the respondents were employed by a company and a quarter by universities, while 7 per cent worked in the public sector and only 1 per cent as entrepreneurs. Two out of three were working in specialist roles, and over 80 per cent were involved in research, planning or development. Almost 15 per cent of respondents held supervisory or managerial positions.

Doctorate holders were generally satisfied with the career opportunities brought by their degree. Almost half of the respondents said that their job duties had become more demanding after they had earned the doctorate, and 68 per cent said that the degree had led to more meaningful work. Almost half of the respondents felt that completing their doctoral studies had improved their standing at work and in the labour market in general. Respondents felt that their doctoral studies had given them knowledge and skills that are useful in their current jobs. 

When asked about the most important skills learnt during studies, respondents brought up problem-solving, the ability to think analytically and systematically, the ability to learn and internalise new information, as well as self-management and teamwork. The respondents felt that they had also improved their skills in these areas during their studies. In addition to the above, they felt that most of the progress they made was in their expertise relating to their research field, as well as in their use of research methods and scientific communication. When asked what skills they expected they would need over the next five years, the respondents mentioned in particular the ability to make use of their knowledge, thinking and self-regulation skills. 

National career monitoring is coordinated by Aarresaari, a network of university career and employment services formed by 13 Finnish universities. Find out more about the results of the career monitoring survey for master’s degree and doctoral graduates in the National Agency for Education’s statistics service, Vipunen.