# Stepping into working life - Mentoring provides direction and confidence - Savonia AMK

> The mentoring programme provides a tangible way for students and professionals to foster understanding, build connections, and unlock new opportunities.

## Overview
A mentoring programme aimed at international students offers concrete support for employment in Eastern Finland and helps companies open their doors to international talent. Mondi Kuopio and Normet are fine examples of participating companies.

## Student Perspective: Bridging the Gap
When mechanical engineering student Rajshree Dey arrived in Kuopio from India, Finnish working life seemed distant and unfamiliar. 

"I wanted to understand what employers seek and how Finland’s work culture operates. My mentor played a pivotal role in refining my job search strategy. She provided personalised feedback on my CV, helping me highlight my strengths more effectively and tailor it to the roles I was targeting," Rajshree explains. "In addition, her advice on approaching the job search – from networking tips to optimising my online presence – was incredibly valuable and gave me a clearer direction moving forward."

## Industry Partnership: Mondi Kuopio
Eeva Tuomi, who works in HR at Mondi Kuopio, served as Rajshree's mentor. For her, the programme aligned with the company's goal to increase the number of international employees.

The mentoring process included career advice, a mill visit, and meetings covering Finnish work culture and employer expectations. Mondi has also taken concrete steps to promote the recruitment of international interns, including opening their first HR internship position for an international student through the Talent Pool database.

"I’ve drawn a great deal of inspiration from this experience. I encourage other professionals to seize the opportunity. It requires time and commitment, but the rewards are substantial," Eeva adds.

## Industry Partnership: Normet
The mentoring programme has also seen participation from Normet, where professionals support international students while developing their own expertise.

*   **Anm Rezzakuzzaman (Sales Support Engineer):** "I wanted to share my first-hand experience of successfully integrating into Finnish society and working life. The mentoring process offered me new perspectives as well. It deepened my understanding of the challenges international students face, and at the same time, reinforced my appreciation of their commitment and skills."
*   **Heli Pironetti (HR Specialist):** "Conversations with international students help us stay informed. Mentoring can also serve as a way to discover new talent for the organisation, such as thesis workers. Finland makes a substantial investment in international students, so it’s important that we also create pathways for their employment."
*   **Suvi Eväkoski (Director IT PMO):** "It was interesting to participate in international mentoring, as my previous experience had mostly been with Finnish mentees. We discussed cultural differences and workplace expectations during the session, which gave me new insights."

## Contact Information for Mentors
If you are considering becoming a mentor, please contact:

*   **Minna Tarvainen:** minna.tarvainen@savonia.fi, +358 44 785 6981
*   **Marko Pietilä:** marko.pietila@uef.fi, +358 40 355 3039
*   **Sanna Jeskanen:** sanna.jeskanen@karelia.fi, +358 50 462 2478

## About Talent Hub Eastern Finland
Talent Hub Eastern Finland is a cooperation of UEF, Karelia, Savonia, Riveria, Sakky and YSAO. We aim to ensure that international students who come to our region find their place, secure employment, and integrate into Eastern Finland. The project is co-funded by the European Union. 

[Visit the Talent Hub Eastern Finland website](https://talenthubeasternfinland.savonia.fi/en/front-page/)