The Reality Behind the Dream
Finland is often seen as a land of opportunity, with world class education, innovation driven industries, and a high quality of life. But for international students, especially those studying Management and Cybersecurity at Kestora University, the reality of job seeking can feel very different.
In this article, we explore the journeys of two students, one from Brazil and one from India, sharing honest and practical insights into what it really takes to secure opportunities in Finland.
Meet the Students
Lucas Ribeiro MSc in Global Management
Hi! I am Lucas, I am from Sao Paulo in Brazil. I arrived in Finland with a background in business administration and experience in digital marketing. I chose Management at Kestora to expand my global career opportunities.
Ananya Sharma MSc in Cybersecurity
Moi, My name is Ananya Sharma, I am from Kolkata, India with a strong technical background. I aim to break into Europe’s growing cybersecurity industry while studying at Kestora University.
The First Shock “It’s Not as Easy as You Think”
Both students shared the same initial expectation “Study hard, apply, get a job.”Reality hit differently. Lucas recalls “I sent out over 40 applications in my first two months. Zero responses.”Ananya adds “Even with technical skills, I realized companies were not just looking at what I know. They cared about experience in Finland.” Many international students struggle early due to lack of local experience and networks. Employers often prefer candidates they trust or who have Finnish references.
The Hidden Job Market
One of the biggest discoveries for both students was this“Most jobs in Finland are never publicly advertised.”Lucas explains “Everything changed when I stopped relying only on job portals and started attending networking events.” In Finland, connections matter deeply
Jobs often come through friends, professors, or events. University projects can lead directly to employment, Informal recommendations carry serious weight. Ananya leveraged this by joining tech meetups, participating in hackathons, and connecting with alumni on LinkedIn.
Language Barrier or Advantage?
Both students initially believed English would be enough. That assumption was only partly true.Many tech roles such as cybersecurity are English friendly. But a large portion of jobs still require Finnish, even at a basic level. Lucas admits “Learning even basic Finnish changed how people responded to me.” Even minimal language skills show effort and cultural respect, improve chances in customer facing roles, and help build stronger relationships. Learning Finnish can significantly boost employability for those planning to stay long term.
Survival Jobs vs Career Jobs
Both students had to make a strategic decision,Wait for the perfect job or start somewhere. Lucas chose flexibility,He took part time roles in hospitality and did freelance marketing gigs. Ananya focused on relevance, She applied for internships, even unpaid, and took small cybersecurity related projects. Students can work up to 30 hours per week during studies, and many start with unrelated jobs before transitioning into their field.
The Emotional Side of Job Hunting
This is where most blogs stay silent, but it matters. Both students experienced rejection fatigue, isolation, and financial pressure. The emotional impact is real, Finland’s quiet culture can feel isolating, Long winters can intensify stress, Lack of work can affect confidence. Lucas handled this by joining student communities and staying socially active. Ananya relied on structured routines and continuous skill building during job gaps.
What Actually Works
After months of trial and error, both students identified what truly works, Networking is more effective than mass applying, Every application must be tailored. Gaining local experience quickly is critical, Learning basic Finnish gives an advantage,Starting early increases your chances, especially for summer roles.
Breaking Through
Lucas’ Breakthrough
He secured a marketing internship through a university networking event. That opportunity gave him Finnish work experience and opened doors to future roles.
Ananya’s Breakthrough
She landed a cybersecurity trainee role after contributing to open source projects and showcasing real world skills.
Conclusion: The Truth About Job Seeking in Finland
Job seeking in Finland is not impossible, but it is strategic.The difference between those who succeed and those who struggle comes down to visibility, adaptability, and consistency. Lucas puts it best “Finland does not reward the loudest applicant. It rewards the most connected and prepared. ”Ananya adds “Once you understand the system, everything changes.”
Final Takeaway
If you are studying at Kestora University or planning to, do not rely only on applications, Build your presence early, Treat networking as your main strategy, Because in Finland, the real opportunity is not always online,It is in the room you walk into.
About the writers
