During the past years, the student ambassadors of Karelia University of Applied Sciences have been harnessing the enthusiasm and insights of current students to promote the university, engaging with prospective students, and enhancing the overall student experience. In autumn 2024, Talent Hub Eastern Finland project invited two recent Karelia UAS alumni, Saima Haque and Jessica Komulainen to work as Karelia’s first alumni ambassadors, to see if the good practices from student ambassador framework could be used to create a new way to engage and collaborate with both our students and alumni.
Alumni ambassadors are utilised in both Tampere UAS and Turku UAS, where they engage in various participatory activities such as speaking at events, contributing to marketing campaigns, and providing study tips. Their role is flexible and depends on individual interests, involving representation at events and social media promotion. It has been noted in both universities that ambassadors benefit from networking, contributing to the university community, and participating in activities aligned with their interests.
“I’m not only my voice, but the voice of many other people”
For Jessica, who has her bachelor degree from the Natural Resources studies, the transition from being a Karelia UAS student ambassador to an alumni ambassador was a journey that held immense potential for both personal growth and the enrichment of the university’s community.
“Becoming an alumni ambassador felt like a great opportunity to meet and get to know a wide range of people, including current students, other alumni and professionals in different fields. For me, networking has always been about exchanging ideas and experiences, not just making new contacts. Discussions and encounters with different people can open up new perspectives on things and generate ideas, and sometimes even concrete opportunities for your studies or career. I also expected that being an alumni ambassador would be an opportunity to develop my skills.”
In the first round of piloting the new framework, ambassadors took part in promoting Karelia’s alumni activities during the first Alumni week in early November 2024, participated in alumni discussions and developing the alumni ambassador model. They also wanted to help bridge the gap between current students and the professional world by sharing their own experiences in study and job-hunting among other helpful practical advice. Initiated by International Business graduate Saima, they created a five-episode podcast series called Karelia Connect, aimed at helping everyone and anyone studying or planning to study in Finland.
“Alumni ambassador is a very good initiative” says Saima. “Even after your graduation, it can be a good way to be connected and not feel left out. Also it is good to help and support present students. I like my role as an alumni ambassador. But I also believe university can put bit more attention and focus about the overall alumni activities of Karelia. I know it is a very new thing but it also deserves more attention and recognition.”
Expanding the Role of Alumni Ambassadors
After the piloting, the ambassadors see much potential in developing further the alumni ambassador framework.
“The role offers opportunities to appear in different events and tell my own story in a way that can be useful and inspiring to others. I like coming up with new ideas, sharing experiences and tips, and it also makes me look at my own path from new perspectives while brainstorming ideas for alumni activities. This develops creativity, communication skills, and, in particular, the courage to talk openly about choices that did not go quite according to plan” tells Jessica of her experience.
Saima and Jessica both see that in the future alumni ambassadors could use their professional connections to gather new career stories or act as recruiting agents in their home countries, attracting new talents to Karelia UAS. Saima and Jessica suggest that alumni ambassadors could act as activators on social media, following the good practice established with student ambassadors.
The biggest difference between student ambassadors and alumni ambassadors is that the latter have already placed themselves in working life. In Saima and Jessica’s opinion, the alumni ambassador framework should therefore include flexible working hours, allowing ambassadors to balance their professional commitments while contributing meaningfully to the Karelia community. Saima and Jessica also say that by forming a group of alumni ambassadors, if possible, Karelia could foster a supportive network that collaborates to share experiences, provide mentorship, and contribute to the ongoing development of the community.
“For me, serving as an alumni ambassador is a way to be part of the community and give back what I have received. At the same time, I have learned new things, expanded my networks, and grown both professionally and personally. This is a role that offers a lot and gives back at least as much”, Jessica concludes.
Author:
Outi Santaniemi, project coordinator Talent Hub Eastern Finland, Karelia UAS
Microsoft Copilot was used in some translations and language check.
