Combining studies in technology and business allows Kriti Bojja to navigate multiple career directions

The second-year student Kriti Bojja chose the Digital Systems and Design major due to the design aspect of it – then was pleasantly surprised at how easily she was able to embrace the technical side, thanks to Aalto University's beginner-friendly courses. The versatile major and flexible minor studies have given her adaptability to navigate a career combining technology and business. 

Why did you pick the Digital Systems and Design major at Aalto? 

There were two reasons for me to choose Aalto University specifically. First off, I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue engineering in university – and Aalto offers a Bachelor's Programme in Science and Technology. My prior education was in English, so finding a programme that allowed me to continue studies in that language felt like a natural progression. Additionally, Aalto University was close to my home, and applying was an easy decision. 

When it comes to the Digital Systems and Design (DSD) major, I first learned about it during an information session in high school, during which a student shared her experiences and explained what the programme was all about. The design aspect of the degree initially piqued my interest, and ultimately I ended up applying for the programme. Over time, I realised it was indeed the perfect programme for me, since it combines both the technical and business aspects of product development – which is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary focus I want for my future. 

What has been the best course in Aalto? 

The best course I've taken so far has been Design Thinking and Electronic Prototyping (DTEP), offered in my first year. It covered the entire process of creating a functional product prototype, from planning to design manufacturing. I gained a wide range of new skills, such as wiring circuit boards and programming LEDs to light up on those circuits. 

The course wasn’t just about learning how to manufacture different product prototypes, but also about learning how to plan, design, user test, and present a successful and user-friendly prototype. This experience made me appreciate how broad the DSD programme really is – an ideal fit for someone like me, who is still exploring different career paths. DSD at large combines both the technical and business aspects of product development, giving students a versatile foundation.  

In the coming spring term, I am taking the Design Thinking and Advanced Prototyping course, and I am excited to see what new skills and interests it will help me develop. 

What has been the best thing about your studies? 

Coming in with no prior experience in programming and without having studied physics in high school, I was pleasantly surprised by how beginner-friendly the courses at Aalto University are. It's awesome just how quickly I was able to pick up programming and circuit physics. 

Many other courses across the university are also designed to be beginner friendly. Furthermore, the university provides plenty of support through organisations like Laskutupa, and dedicated teaching assistants. This supportive environment has made it much easier to grasp challenging topics and build confidence in areas that were completely new to me. 

What are your studies like in practice? 

My studies combine lectures with a significant amount of hands-on work, as well as both group and independent assignments. Many of the lectures I have taken so far don’t require mandatory attendance, though some courses like DTEP do – as the course consisted of a lot of hands-on work in the laboratory. Furthermore, this mandatory attendance allowed the teachers and/or teacher assistants to provide guidance and monitor us. 

Whether attendance is mandatory or not, much of the lecture content is given to us either in the form of notes/slides or a lecture recording, making studying for exams easier. In addition, many courses (like DTEP) include group projects – which I particularly enjoy because they give me the chance to collaborate, meet new people, and build friendships. At the same time, there are plenty of independent assignments, so I’d say it's a good mix of working alone and with others. 

What is everyday student life at Aalto like? 

My everyday student life at Aalto is a mix of going to lectures or studying alone, socialising, and managing practical and leisure activities like going to the gym. I always aim to balance my day by having enough leisure time, while also studying enough.  

The DSD major is part of the AS guild, which stands for Automaatio- ja systeemitekniikka (Automation and System Technology). This guild is inclusive and welcoming, and it organises many events where students can socialise and meet new people. Thanks to these events, I’ve been able to maintain a healthy balance between my studies and social life. In fact, many of my good friendships started through guild events, so I highly recommend attending them! 

How have your studies prepared you for your career? 

As I’ve mentioned before, Digital Systems and Design is a broad programme that equips me with skills spanning both technology and business. This versatility means I can pursue diverse career paths, from product management to software engineering. While the programme emphasises technology – with courses in programming, circuit physics, and embedded systems – it also allows integration with other fields. For example, for my minor I’ve chosen management, taught in the School of Business, which opens opportunities in project management and development. In addition, the flexibility of electives enables me to further expand my skill set. 

Altogether, DSD has prepared me with a strong technical foundation and adaptability to navigate multiple career directions. From my studies at DSD, I hope to build a career where I can combine technology and business, and lead projects that can create a positive impact on the world. 

Who would you recommend this field to? 

I believe this field is suitable for those wanting to pursue a career path in innovation and design. A student can choose whether they want to focus on the technical side (i.e. embedded systems development and circuits) or the design and user testing aspect. The field is quite broad, so I would say it is also suitable for those who want to combine technology with business aspects – like me – for their future career path. 

I believe finding a job through this field would be quite easy as you are able to apply for almost all types of jobs. Additionally, the English language aspect of the field immerses the student in an international environment, so anyone who wants to experience this and have proficient language skills in English is highly recommended to apply to the English bachelors' programme at Aalto University.

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