Student experience: Mikko Koivisto

'I first heard of the European Mining Course during my bachelor’s degree studies in civil and environmental engineering at Aalto University. I had little previous knowledge of the field of mining, but participating in a multidisciplinary master’s programme that spans three European universities sounded like a unique opportunity – and it really was!

Internationality is the programme’s strongest element. Studying in EMC developed my language skills, prepared me for working in an international field and gave me a look into the study and workplace cultures of three different countries. The planning and organisation of the roughly seven-month-long study periods were excellent in each university.

The programme has strong industrial ties, so every student in my group found employment right after graduation. Internships allowed us to gain work experience, while the programme introduced us to a lot of people in the industry. Our first autumn study period included a week-long excursion during which we visited a number of mines in Finland. That trip resulted in an internship with Agnico Eagle Mines at their Kittilä mine, which is also my current workplace.

My studies built a foundation for the multidisciplinary expertise required of a mining engineer. In addition to technological competence, the job requires knowledge of geology, environmental impacts and the functioning of global markets. Not every mining engineer works at a mining site, however, as the degree also opens doors to working in government organisations, planning agencies, construction companies or even in the banking sector as an expert of raw material markets.

Our group of EMC students became tight-knit and I meet people from the programme from all over Europe both through my work and otherwise. There are also annual events for students and alumni of the programme as well as representatives of mining companies – they are excellent opportunities for meeting old friends and making new connections.'

Mikko Koivisto, Mine Planning Engineer, Agnico Eagle Mines & European Mining Course Alumnus