The demands of the labour market are changing along with the world. Global climate change, the state of the Baltic Sea and increasingly fragmented ecosystems are examples of change that require new kinds of expertise and engender new fields and jobs. Similarly, the rapid development of molecular biosciences opens avenues in both academic basic research and a wide range of new healthcare and business fields. Our Faculty’s educational offerings have been designed to meet these future employment challenges.
One or more traineeship periods can be included in both bachelor’s and master’s studies. Traineeships can be completed in professional life in research institutes, official organisations or private businesses outside the University, or as research traineeships in research groups based at the University. Traineeships provide students with an early opportunity to network with people and parties active in the field as well as familiarise themselves with the realities of professional life.
In research traineeships, studying is intertwined with research. Students contribute to the work of research groups, get to know the everyday processes of research and establish contacts with researchers in the field. At the master’s level stage, students also establish contacts with employers on project-based courses where students focus, in small groups, on challenges presented by the University’s external partners.
Contributing to teaching under the supervision of more experienced teachers constitutes a traineeship option for more advanced students.
The duration of traineeships is typically one to two months, and they take place towards the end of bachelor’s and master’s studies.
A significant part of Faculty graduates find work in research positions at universities, research institutes and private businesses.
In addition, many biologists are appointed to specialist positions in the service of the government, municipalities, businesses and various organisations. Many biologists have teaching careers at universities and universities of applied sciences or as subject teachers in secondary school and general upper secondary school.
Alongside subject-specific expertise, being proficient in and recognising career skills is important for recently graduated biologists looking for a job.
Who are alumni? All graduates, exchange students and staff of the University of Helsinki are considered University alumni.
Expertise in a changing world is based on high-quality scientific research, which also increases the demand for researchers. Students who pursue a career in research continue their studies in doctoral education. Master’s degrees completed at our Faculty provide students with the eligibility to apply for doctoral education in the doctoral schools of the University of Helsinki as well as at other Finnish and international universities.