I am Julia Romanyuk. After graduation from Aalto University, I have been working as a Management Consultant at Accenture where I focus on helping retail and consumer goods companies with various projects ranging from setting up a new business to transforming marketing operations.
I started my studies in the BScBA Program at Mikkeli Campus in 2013, and continued directly to the Master’s program in Strategy at Otaniemi Campus. The Strategy program was an interdisciplinary program between the Aalto School of Business and the Aalto School of Science, which made it unique. Finally, I also completed the CEMS degree, which I felt was a natural continuation to my International Business studies in Mikkeli.
After high school I knew two things: 1) I want to study my entire degree in English, and 2) I want to study at Aalto University. Thus, studying in Mikkeli became my choice. However, I was a bit doubtful of whether there would be an actual university campus in Mikkeli, so I came to visit the campus with my mother. During the visit, I met the school staff as well as charming professor Paurav Shukla who convinced me that Mikkeli is an excellent choice 😊.
Julia Romanyuk, BScBA Program alumnaDuring studies, group projects develop teamwork skills and increase one’s understanding of cultural aspects related to collaboration.
My career in rhythmic gymnastics has taught me many practical skills that I have applied during my studies and in life. These include the ability to manage time efficiently, the skill of asking for help and a high drive.
After finishing my career, I was dreaming about working in the Olympic Committee or some sort of sports organization. However, after having several conversations with mentors, I decided to gather experience first from outside of sports and then apply it to sports management later on in life.
At the moment, I am acting as a volunteer member in the development board of rhythmic gymnastics in the Finnish Gymnastics Federation, and through that I have a chance to stay connected to my beloved sport.
I began my management consulting career already during my university studies at Aalto and CEMS. For me management consulting was a natural career choice as I enjoy project-based work, problem-solving and a changing work environment.
As a project manager in a management consultancy, I lead project teams consisting of consultants and client-side project members, this takes most of my time. In addition, I am a career counsellor to two analysts. I find this mentorship role highly rewarding and energizing. Finally, I am also responsible for supporting sales and developing our client accounts.
I would describe the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business as the most unique bachelor’s level business degree that Aalto offers. Its modular structure, excellent international visiting faculty and tight community spirit generate a “Mikkeli bubble” where you get to challenge yourself intellectually and create very tight, lifelong friendships.
The modular structure of the program combined with regular group work and presentations is an excellent “pre-school” for a career in management consulting or business in general.
The intensive three-week modules of the curriculum require students to grasp topics fast and apply their learnings in group projects.
The group projects develop teamwork skills and increase one’s understanding of cultural aspects related to collaboration. Finally, the BScBA Programme develops presentation skills very effectively. Each student presents every third week, which differentiates Mikkeli graduates in this respect.
Find out more about Julia's career path on LinkedIn.
The Bachelor’s Programme in International Business provides students with a comprehensive range of skills and knowledge to build, develop and lead companies on a global scale. A bachelor’s degree in business with an international focus opens up a wide variety of career opportunities across all industries and continents.
Here you can find more inspiring stories from our students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Elli Jauhiainen, a second-year student of the Bachelor's Program in International Business says the best thing about the program is the opportunity to learn how to work in a multicultural environment: “It is fascinating to get to know the etiquette and customs of other business cultures.”
Johan Salim, a second-year student of the Bachelor's Program in International Business, appreciates the important skills he has learned during his studies: “You will be equipped with all the tools you need to head out and build the career of your dreams.”
Studying in the Bachelor's Program in International Business has made Ni Nguyen more confident: “Public speaking used to be my biggest fear but now, the shaking voice and tensed facial muscles during presentations have vanished.”
Osama Hamoud, a 3rd year student of the Bachelor's Program in International Business never thought he could stay away from home for too long: “Despite being thousands of kilometres away from Cairo, Mikkeli still feels like home thanks to our amazing community.”
The career path of Satu Srömberg, School of Business, Mikkeli Campus alumna, has not followed the obvious route of an Economics student: ’I want to encourage you to find your own path. Find your own strengths and follow your passion. Learning is a lifelong path and you only know where it takes, when you take one step after another.”
The Bachelor’s Program in International Business is not only an exceptional business education opportunity, some even find their significant other there. Our alumni Mia Hoang and Juhana Polso started a life together while studying in the program, and after Mikkeli they both combined studies of business and technology in the University of Nebraska.
Barbara Edwards (MAcc, CPA, CA, EdD), retired Senior Lecturer from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver BC Canada, has a long and successful teaching career. In her home university, Edwards received a TD-Canada Trust Distinguished Teaching Award, which is awarded based on colleague and student nominations, and a placement on the SFU Beedie School of Business Teaching Honour Roll. Before she started to teach at SFU in 1993, Edwards worked as a Senior Tax Manager at KPMG.
Professor of Marketing, Paurav Shukla is the Head of Digital & Data-Driven Marketing department at the Southampton Business School, University of Southampton, UK. He possesses a wide range of industry and academic experience, and has been delivering corporate training, teaching and consulting assignments for various organizations in the Europe, Asia and North Africa. Shukla has taught students representing more than 60 nationalities.
