Alumni Ambassador Juho Tuovinen: Studies at the School of Business gave me confidence to reach for my own goals

What and when did you study at Aalto University School of Business?

I did my Bachelor’s degree in the School of Business Mikkeli unit in 2004–2007, with the major in international business. After that, I continued to complete my Master’s degree at Copenhagen Business School, where I also completed the CEMS degree. I did the second part of my CEMS studies at the London School of Economics.

What jobs have you held since graduation?

I have specialized in the internationalization strategy of media industry, especially in the international broadcasting of television content. I started my career at Nordisk Film TV in Copenhagen, which later on merged with the French Banijay Group.

After fours years, I moved to London to work at NBCUniversal, as Director for International Formats, where I spent another four years. Last year, I came back to Finland, following a new job offer.

What do you currently do?

I work as the Head of International at Finnish media company Rabbit Films. Originally, Rabbit was founded by The Dudesons, and today, it is one of the biggest TV production companies in Finland. Shows that we produce in Finland include for example the local versions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (in Finnish: Haluatko miljonääriksi) and Dragon’s Den (in Finnish: Leijonan luola), as well as our original shows such as Posse, Kingi, Huippujengi and Stadi Vs Lande. 

My job is to negotiate contracts with international broadcasters and production companies who wish to do local versions of the Finnish shows that we have created. It's a very interesting and challenging task that I've enjoyed immensely so far!  

In what ways have the studies been useful for your career?

Above anything else, I got confidence to reach for my own goals. I especially adopted the international approach and the way to search for information, and I have applied these to almost everything in my life.

I believe that because of my study experiences, I have learnt to cope better abroad in several positions and work in multinational teams.

Your advice for the students who reflect on their studies?

I think it is important to find a field or area of competence, in which you are truly interested. When I graduated, a very common way was to look for jobs at consulting companies and investment banks, because everyone thought it was difficult to get in to those positions. That was a way of proving your value.

Nowadays, thanks to Slush and Start Up Sauna, for example, more people become interested in entrepreneurship, which I think is a great thing!

Since most of us need to work ten hours a day for the next 40 years, you should consider carefully whether you want to go for a position in which you might be well paid but which you do not enjoy, or do something that really inspires you every day.

If I were now thinking about getting my first job in my field, I would make a list with a maximum of five companies, in which I would like to work. In job applications and interviews, true enthusiasm towards the field and the company shows very easily. Someone, who is showing authentic aspiration in working in specific company, will be hired more certainly than someone, who might just have better grades than the others.

Your thoughts on business world?

I wish I had studied more Finance. I am not at all naturally talented in it, and I only completed the compulsory courses. Business knowledge is very rarely that concrete, thus all those abilities that you can show and which others do not possess, are always an advantage. Moreover, the management of financial perspective is useful in any kind of job.

What do the networks mean to you?

Networking is extremely important. Up to this point, I have obtained all my jobs through my networks. Besides, you create added value to your company - whether it is your one or someone else’s – if you are able to find the type of people you are looking for: new employees, subcontractor or a photographer for your company’s website.

You act as Alumni Ambassador at the School of Business. What does being an alumnus mean to you?

I am extremely proud of being a School of Business alumnus, and I want to foster alumni relations. In the School of Business Mikkeli unit, a special type of a student group is formed, which is tighter than in Helsinki. There, I have made many friends, with whom I am still connected today.

I signed in to the alumni register right after I graduated. I also belong to the alumni associations of both Copenhagen Business School and London School of Economics. Being an alumnus is an excellent way to keep in touch with the fellow students and keep up with the life-long learning!

Further information:

Read more about the School of Business alumni cooperation and about the other Alumni Ambassadors who, like Juho, are involved in developing the School’s alumni activities: www.aalto.fi/school-of-business/school-of-business-alumni-ambassadors.