Master’s programme in Industrial Engineering and Management connects students with close-knit alumni network
Graduates from the Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) programme have a wide range of career options, ranging from leadership roles in technology companies, to starting and growing startups, transforming industrial processes, and driving national innovation policies.
Saghar Sedighi, who has completed the first half of the two-year master’s programme, considers IEM as the perfect choice for herself.
'If you want to develop strong business and leadership skills alongside cutting-edge engineering expertise, this is the place to be'.
Students can choose from four majors: Strategy, Operations Management, Product and Innovation Management, or Organization Design and Leadership. In addition, they get to choose one of many engineering options as a minor subject.
'When I was deciding what to study, I was fascinated by almost everything. Here, you can develop your own competence profile very flexibly. No matter what path you create for yourself, you will learn to understand and combine technology, business and leadership. At the same time, you will learn strong problem-solving skills, cultivate essential people skills and gain an entrepreneurial mindset.'
Vital skills for future career
Saghar is particularly pleased with how strong the programme’s ties are to the business world.
'We have incredibly successful alumni who are committed and loyal to our community. Despite their busy schedules, they make time to guide students from their alma mater. In this master’s programme, you get to meet amazing people, learn about the companies they lead, and build a strong network.'
Saghar started her IEM studies in autumn 2023. So far, she hasn’t had a single course with only individual assignments.
'Almost all projects are conducted in groups. It’s a fantastic way to study,' Saghar remarks.
'Sometimes a topic may intrigue me more than others, and at times someone else may be even more enthusiastic and perform better than me. You just have to learn to accept it and look for ways to work effectively together. You will learn how to lead a team and how to be a good team player,' she describes.
'I’m not sure what kind of career I want to pursue yet, but these skills are needed in every field I could imagine working in.'
Recently, Saghar completed a course called Innovation in Operations, which taught advanced problem-solving skills using real-life business cases.
'It was extremely inspiring and made me seriously consider a career in consulting. But it’s too early to say; I still have ample time to figure out my path.'
Gateway to startup world
Before coming to Finland, Saghar had already earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering in her home country, Iran.
'My previous studies were more mathematical, focusing on system optimization. I came to gain a broader skill set. Here, industrial engineering includes extensive business and leadership studies, which was exactly what I was looking for,' Saghar says.
Saghar is majoring in Operations Management. She admits that at first, choosing a minor was challenging.
'You have so many options! But the good news is that it is perfectly acceptable to change your mind – I did,' she says.
'I initially chose a minor that didn’t feel quite right. Then I heard about a minor that focuses on startups and entrepreneurial skills. It sounded fascinating.'
Saghar explains that the IEM programme is a marvellous option for anyone who wants to pursue a career as an entrepreneur or in a startup.
'Quite a few of my fellow students are planning this kind of career path. I realized that I want to learn more about that world. Changing my minor was surprisingly straightforward. I simply consulted my programme coordinator, and everything was quickly sorted out.'
Active student life and enchanting nature
Student life at Aalto isn’t just about studying. Saghar enjoys spending time at the Aalto Learning Hub, where students can study and socialize.
'As an international student, it’s important to make an effort: get involved in all kinds of student events and bravely start conversations,' she encourages.
'The student community organizes great events with many fun and unique traditions. I recently signed up to be a tutor for new students, and they arranged a hilarious ceremony where we were all dipped in a lake and swore an oath. It was amazing,' she says with a laugh.
The nature surrounding the Otaniemi campus is a source of joy for Saghar.
'The forests, lakes, and sea are incredible here. At first, I was worried about whether I would survive the winter. I needn’t have, the snowy landscapes are magical.'
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