Peer support between new managers emphasised in Aalto's First Time Manager programme

Jasmin Tuominen and Pinja Mäkelä are experts in their work, but both are now on the verge of something new: starting for the first time in managerial positions. For their new position, they sought learning, support and tools from the First Time Manager programme, which is part of Aalto University's lifewide learning offering.

The six-month programme consisted of five workshops and intermediate assignments, which included e.g., peer meetings. During the training, they were strongly encouraged to explore their own working methods and self-reflect.

As a result of the organisational change, Pinja Mäkelä is moving from expert duties to team manager.

"During the program, I have been able to understand how I work and how I present myself through my work, what kind of person I am in the company and how I act as an example for my own employees," Mäkelä says.

Both Mäkelä and Tuominen took care of the studies during working hours. Jasmin Tuominen, who works as a product manager, admits that studying alongside work was challenging at times, as there has been a break from studying.

"Studying was challenging, but good brain exercise!"

The tasks of the programme included, among other things, familiarising oneself with the literature and writing reports. According to Mäkelä, producing a text is more burdensome than going to listen to lectures all day.

"On the other hand, it's the salt of the course, because it helps you think about things outside of the training as well."

"The training could be called Anytime manager"

In managerial positions, continuous training is essential, and as a leader you will never be fully prepared. It is important to examine your own working methods from time to time, even if you have been working as a manager for a long time. Although the First Time Manager programme is aimed especially at new managers, according to the participants, it could also benefit managers with longer experience.

Pinja Mäkelä felt that she could get even more out of the training content if she had worked as a manager for a while longer.

"It would be a completely different situation to start training later, then you would know what daily life of a manager is like and how to develop operating methods."

Jasmin Tuominen estimates that the training would perhaps be best suited for those who have already started in a manager position – or why not for someone who has been in a managerial role for a longer time. The most important thing is that the course assignments could be concretely applied to one's everyday work.

"The name of the program could be changed to 'Anytime manager', because it would also suit very well for someone who has worked as a manager for 10 years."

The next training programme will start on 14.9.2023. More information and registration on the programme website (aaltoee.fi).