Most master’s and doctoral graduates are satisfied with their degrees and have found employment successfully
University career monitoring surveys show that master’s and doctoral graduates in the workforce are generally very satisfied with their degrees and feel that employers value them. More than four out of five respondents feel they can effectively apply what they learned during their studies in their current job. This is especially true for graduates from professional fields, even if they are not working in their specific profession. However, a relative skills gap is noticeable: certain generic skills, especially interaction skills, were less developed during education than needed in working life.
Career paths and employment are generally viewed positively, although differences between fields are significant. More than one in three master’s and doctoral graduates have experienced unemployment or temporary layoff after graduation, with over half of these lasting no more than six months.
Internships and other work experience during studies are important for employment regardless of discipline, but the factor most frequently mentioned by both master’s and doctoral respondents as influencing their employment was the ability to articulate their own skills.
These findings were highlighted in a study conducted last spring by the Foundation for Research on Learning and Education Otus sr. The data from career monitoring surveys of master’s and doctoral graduates from 2021–2023 was examined with a focus on the quality of education and employment. Read more on Otus sr’s website (in Finnish).
Career Follow-Up Surveys Provide Employment and Skills Data Over 20 Years
Since 2004, the Aarresaari network of university career and employment services has coordinated the career follow-up survey on the employment of master’s and doctoral graduates. The result is comprehensive data on the qualitative employment of academics and how university education meets the skills needs of working life.
The survey data is used in curriculum planning, guidance, and educational development. The results of the master’s career follow-up also affect university funding. All Finnish universities participate in the survey, except the National Defence University. The 2025 career follow-up survey begins on October 1 with data collection. This year, the survey targets master’s graduates from 2020 and doctoral graduates from 2022.
Data Also Available for Researchers
Already 100,000 graduates have responded to the career monitoring survey since the year 2004. This extensive dataset on the labour market situation of university graduates is also freely available to researchers! Read more about how to access the data for research purposes.
Career monitoring results are published centrally in the Finnish Education Administration’s statistics portal Vipunen.fi. Universities also publish their own institution-specific reports. Read more and see the results of the 2024 survey on the Aarresaari website.
If You Received an Invitation – Respond!
If you graduated with a master’s degree five years ago or a doctoral degree three years ago, your university will invite you to respond to the survey. So keep an eye on your email, text messages, or postal mail!
The survey results provide a comprehensive picture of the labour market situation of graduates from different universities. You can explore, for example, where professionals in your field are working, what kinds of roles they have, salary levels, and what skills are relevant in your industry. You can use this information to support your career decisions.
For more information on the career monitoring survey, please contact Outi Suorsa, head of the career monitoring group in Aarresaari. Contact details here.
Published:
01.10.2025