Topic outline

  • General

    ELEC-E7990 is meant for AALTO ELEC master's students to credit the improvement of professional expertise during a work placement of minimum 4-10 weeks (2-5 cr, respectively). This course can be included in the elective studies module in the degree. We recommend that you take this course after the first year of master’s studies. However, the course is available throughout the academic year.

    In order to pass the course you should

    (i) agree on a work placement with the responsible teacher (as a first step),
    (ii) write and submit a personalized learning plan for the work placement (before the training period starts),
    (iii) work as a member of a business or non-profit organization in a position that is relevant for the improvement of your professional expertise,
    (iv) write and submit a reflection on your learning and improvement of professional expertise during the training period (after the training period has ended), and
    (v) show the employment certificate to the responsible teacher.

    See page Assignments for further instructions.

    After the course, you should be able to

    (i) understand targets and operation of business/non-profit organizations,
    (ii) apply professional practices in the field of your major/programme as a member of a business/non-profit organization,
    (iii) identify development needs/opportunities in organizations and their practices, and
    (iv) assess and describe your own professional development as part of personal career development and employment plan.

    NOTE: You are responsible to find the work placement by yourself, and it should be approved by the course personnel beforehand as part of the preliminary assignment of the course.


  • Materials

  • Assignments

    Step 1 (Approval of the planned work placement):

    Agree on a work placement with the responsible teacher ( samuli.aalto@aalto.fi ) by sending an email where you briefly introduce yourself and describe the planned work placement (including the planned working period).

    Step 2 (Personalized learning plan):

    Before you start your work placement, submit a description (ca. 1 page = 500 words) on your personal learning goals for the training period. Mention also your programme and major, the organization and position where you are working for the professional training, your advisor there, and the period of the planned work placement. Submission is done by email to the responsible teacher ( samuli.aalto@aalto.fi ).

    Step 3 (Work placement itself):

    Work as a member of a business or non-profit organization in a position that is relevant for your professional skills development.

    Step 4 (Personal expert profile):

    After the work placement has ended, submit an essay (ca. 2 pages = 1000 words), where you reflect on your expertise improvement during the training period. Reflect your improvement relative to your studies and the personal learning goals that you set earlier. Mention also your programme and major, the organization and position where you were working for the professional training, your advisor there, and the period of the realized work placement. Submission is done by email to the responsible teacher ( samuli.aalto@aalto.fi ).

    Step 5 (Proof of the work placement): 

    Agree on an appointment to show your employment certificate by sending an email to the responsible teacher ( samuli.aalto@aalto.fi ).