Mimi Tran used the open university path in technology to transfer from beauty and cosmetics to engineering

Mimi focused on the chemistry of cosmetics, marketing, and EU legislation in her bachelor of beauty and cosmetics studies, and had worked in the school’s laboratory and as a sales and marketing trainee at an import company, amongst other things. 

”As I was working in marketing, I realized that I was more interested in the chemistry side of things. I was only 22 when I graduated and didn’t feel I wanted to start working yet. I have always liked natural sciences and chemical engineering seemed like an interesting option”, Mimi says. 

In spring 2020, Mimi completed the open university path in technology, through which it's possible to be accepted as a student at Aalto without entrance exams and regardless of earlier education background. The actual freshman year started in the fall of the same year. 

”A total of 27 credits had to be completed, with an average grade of three. The studies included mathematics, physics, and one course of Swedish. I hadn’t studied physics before, so the physics courses were the most challenging for me.” 

Bioproducts studies focus on the challenges of circular economy 

Chemical engineering students can choose from three majors at the bachelor's level: chemical engineering and processes, bioproducts, orchemistry and materials science. In the first year, students take basic courses common to all, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, and some programming. The main subject is not chosen until the second year of studies.

Mimi debated between chemistry and materials science and bioproducts, but finally settled on the latter.

”Bioproducts studies allow me to delve into topics that particularly interest me, such as circular economy, sustainability and renewable materials. I had a look at the courses for the bachelor's main subjects and the bioproducts offerings interested me the most."

About half of the studies in the bioproducts major involve working in a laboratory. In addition, students do project work, calculations, reports and work reports, and multiple-choice assignments. Among the courses of interest, Mimi highlights at least the Fundamentals of Instrumental Analysis and Cell and Molecular Biology. 

”In the instrumental analysis course we got to really familiarise ourselves with different instruments and traditional methods. It's really interesting to be able to apply the theory in practice and I feel that this really helps me to understand the meaning of my studies."

Mimi ended up in engineering a little unexpectedly

Mimi doesn't yet know exactly which master's programme she will apply for after her bachelor's degree. There are several options within her own university alone, and the common programmes of Aalto further increase the choice.

”I have thought about biotechnology studies or another suitable major at my own school. On the other hand, I've been thinking about applying to the commercial side, for example to Industrial Engineering and Management. I’m not sure yet”, Mimi reflects. 

Mimi emphasizes that she didn’t plan to venture into engineering when she was younger. Thoughts and interests might however change along the way. She urges to bravely apply if chemical engineering seems interesting. 

””In upper secondary school I was sure I would become a humanities student and I planned to apply to pedagogical studies. My loved ones asked me why not apply to the beauty care field since I was so good at it. At first I didn’t want to turn my hobby into a profession, but I ended up studying beauty and cosmetics. I still don’t feel that I changed my field when coming to Aalto. Rather, I wanted to broaden and deepen my knowledge through chemical engineering.”