International students and students with an immigrant background offered coaching to boost Finnish business life

In the IMIB network, comprised of coaches, students, and businesses, international students and students with an immigrant background can demonstrate their expertise in addressing real-world working life challenges under the guidance of coaches from the universities of applied sciences.

In January, Haaga-Helia, Laurea, and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences (3AMK) initiated a program dedicated to advancing the employment prospects of international students and students with immigrant backgrounds. The initiative offers coaching to enhance their workplace and entrepreneurship skills and brings together students and Finnish companies.

With the support of universities, students with immigrant backgrounds tackle business challenges alongside proficient coaches. Simultaneously, students gain invaluable business contacts and essential work experience, strengthening their chances of securing employment in Finland post-graduation. Companies can network with and find potential employees.

The IMIB network also helps to strengthen the students’ entrepreneurship skills. The entrepreneurship path includes, for example, coaching and peer group meetings. The aim is to help students to network with other entrepreneurs, strengthen their entrepreneurship skills and give them tools to develop their own business ideas. Laurea is responsible for the entrepreneurship path in the project.

New perspectives and work experience

According to Merja Iiskola, project manager at Laurea, it is important to recognize and put the expertise accumulated by international students and students with an immigrant background in the business world to good use. Their cultural knowledge can significantly support domestic companies in getting into international markets.

The IMIB network also tackles challenges related to the employment of people with an immigrant background. Iiskola says that people with an immigrant background in Finland face challenges in finding employment, but it doesn't have to remain so. The primary identified obstacles include language proficiency, education, and work experience.

– I firmly believe that gaining work experience during their studies substantially enhances our students' employment prospects. Companies have the opportunity to get to know potential employees and make employment decisions based on genuine competence, Iiskola says.

Iiskola also emphasizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurship among immigrants to maintain the vibrancy of the Finnish business landscape. Entrepreneurship is also an important way for immigrants to find employment. That is why the IMIB network also includes a path for entrepreneurship, guiding and coaching international and immigrant-background students towards entrepreneurship.

– The students in our network are globally connected, and they possess a wealth of expertise that can lead to success in the business world. We just need to assist them in utilising this potential, she reflects.

What is the IMIB network?

The Immigrants as Mentors for Internationalizing Businesses (IMIB) project, coordinated by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, is set to run from January 1, 2024, to May 31, 2026. Laurea University of Applied Sciences and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences collaborate as project partners.

The primary goal of the project is to enhance the employment opportunities for international students and students with an immigrant background. This objective is achieved by facilitating their engagement with Finnish companies and strengthening their entrepreneurship skills.

Together these entities form the IMIB network that serves educational and employment purposes as well as contributes to the business community. Students interested in joining the network can do so through this link.

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