Finland vs UK? NEED ADVICE!

by **berry_177** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:49 pm

Hi everyone,

I am a Master's degree student and currently living in Helsinki. The problem I am facing is all about jobs and where is better to live.
Problem number 1
- my specialization. My field of study is quite narrow (arts management/marketing) and getting something permanent in the field in Finland presupposes excellence in Finnish (I am Russian, do speak ok Finnish, but mainly basic). Moreover, there is a strong competition among finns for this kind of jobs. I had the opportunity to do internship and some project jobs here, but with anything more permanent it seems to be very difficult. I am about to graduate, but dragging it out since I have no idea what to do next.

Problem number 2
- my boyfriend is an English citizen and lived there all his life. He wouldn't mind moving to Finland, but job possibilities for him seem to be even worse as he doesn't know any Finnish and his qualification is not in demand. I just had an idea that Finland has more to offer than UK, since the unemployment level is too high there and I might have trouble in finding job there (after moving). I cannot do it before moving btw due to very strict system, so there is no point trying to suggest me to find work beforehand.

If you have any ideas whether my profession and degree would be higher in demand in the UK or should I better search something else in similar fields in Finland (judging by those #1 country in the world ratings)? I have been in the UK many times, but it is a very hard choice to make, as I would have to move further away from Russia. What worries me most though is the quality of living and job opportunities in my case.

Please, do not hesitate to give me ANY advice!

cheers,

Kate

**Sponsor:**

by **Sami-Is-Boss** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:57 pm

Knowing the language, even to a conversation level, will open up so many more doors for you than not knowing it, so I'd recommend getting studying and wait it out. Удачи!

by **markbaker** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:38 pm

You think it's hard to find work in your field in Finland and your boyfriend will find it hard to find work due to profession and language? I think that's a given that you would try to get some thing going in the UK. I would imagine the possibilities in UK would be a lot higher due to population and economy there, but I could be totally incorrect. 2-3 hour flight on a plane back home for you isn't the end of the world.

I don't think we can make that choice for you both I would contact some employers or ask some of the employees what are your chances are for employment in Finland for your profession.

by **inkku** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:51 am

I have an impression that many arts jobs in the UK are preceeded by a 6-12 months unpaid volunteer/internship work.

by **Pursuivant** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:50 am

I'd say the UK is a no-brainer in finding a job, though the recession is not making things look peachy. Finland is a tough biscuit as you said.

by **berry_177** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:55 am

Sami-Is-Boss wrote:Knowing the language, even to a conversation level, will open up so many more doors for you than not knowing it, so I'd recommend getting studying and wait it out. Удачи!

That's true, but im in the case of my profession, im aftaid, i will have to deal with texts and be able to write in a decent way too, i honestly doubt that conversational level is enough, but I will surely give it a try before I make my final decision. Thank you!

markbaker wrote:I don't think we can make that choice for you both I would contact some employers or ask some of the employees what are your chances are for employment in Finland for your profession.

I do have some contacts in the field that i would like to work, but Finnish people are not really eager to help I must admit. to foreigners. The only projects that worked out for me in the field that i liked have been done through long-term pestering several people and maybe out of sympathy...They do not advertise them on mol.fi. Mainly it's about local art/acts and that is rather devastating for me, but quite obvious.

inkku wrote:I have an impression that many arts jobs in the UK are preceeded by a 6-12 months unpaid volunteer/internship work.

Provided that there is no previous experience whatsoever OR no experience in the UK OR in a particular company?

----- I appreciate you comments! thank you.

Kate

by **berry_177** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:04 pm

Pursuivant wrote:I'd say the UK is a no-brainer in finding a job, though the recession is not making things look peachy. Finland is a tough biscuit as you said.

Well described! that's exactly how I feel. If settle in Finland it would be safe and so on and bla bla. I feel like trying UK, but it's not as strong these days as it used to be. Since I travel there often I can clearly see that some things work better in Finland. Bur surely there is much more ART for me there

Lots of things are interconnected though, so I am trying to weigh all the pros and cons and to listen to different opinions.

by **Oombongo** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:17 pm

berry_177 wrote: (judging by those #1 country in the world ratings)?

Not true. It is a pure propaganda. Layoffs are going on here and there, schools are facing budget cuts, internal debt is increasing. It is like everywhere else so I have no idea why international media is being a lying machine.

by **inkku** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:54 pm

If you goole, you will find lots of articles talking about the unpaid internship issue, here is one

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture-profe ... ts-culture