Deciding to change your major is not always an easy decision, but sometimes you just need to follow your heart and your passions. In this week’s edition of Campus Celebrity, our new writer Roosa Oksanen reveals her dream job, what’s in store for her in the next couple of years and which album you should be listening to right now to get into that autumny evening mood.
You got your Bachelor’s degree in English Philology and now you’re pursuing a Master’s in Media and Communication studies. What were some of the reasons behind this change in major?
As much as I liked studying English, it never felt like a real passion to me. I did my Bachelor’s thesis on metaphors and the representation of the idea of communication, and I guess it was then that I understood how much the way we talk about things affects the way we think about things, and the other way round. So, Media and Communication studies felt like a field where I could best dive deeper into how our reality is constructed and how things could maybe be better.
What is your dream job like? How do you see your two majors in helping you secure your dream job?
My dream job would consist of observing, exploring and then writing about the things I observed and explored in different forms. It would include dealing with social injustice issues, covering cultural issues and making the Finnish media – and Finland – a more inclusive place for all kinds of people. So, basically my dream job sounds like a crazy utopia at the moment, but who knows what might happen. I think my studies provide a good foundation for creating the path towards my dream job or something close to that: studying English Philology deepened my understanding of language and made me read a lot, which is always a good thing, whereas studying Media and Communication studies allows me to immerse myself in analyzing media representations and discourses which, oddly enough, I’ve become very passionate about. So being able to utilize my knowledge on all that in the future would be perfect.
A lot of students are worried about finding a job after graduation. Do you have a plan for the next couple of years?
My next couple of years will probably consist of continuing my Master’s program and beginning to write my Master’s thesis. I also wish to find an interesting summer job from my own field, after a very long history of random, scattered jobs. Doing voluntary work is also a good option, if it is financially possible – I just spent a week volunteering for the Love & Anarchy film festival which was a fun experience and will look good on my CV. Of course I, too, am worried about future work prospects, but I’m trying not to think about it too much right now. I really love studying so I’m trying to concentrate on the present as much as possible – I don’t want to ruin these precious university years by worrying too much over future.
You almost moved to another city because of your studies, but you said your heart will always belong to Helsinki. Which aspects of the city would you have missed the most if you had moved?
Everything! I’m completely in love with this little city, with its streets, parks, seaside spots, coffee shops, bars, libraries, events and all the random stuff you witness every day everywhere if you just pay attention. Of course in five years I’ve also built a life here that I’m quite fond of, with lovely friends and dear places to spend time in all over the city. And oh, the university campus in the city center is a magical place, I really like its academic charm.
You’ve got such a great taste in books and music – what would you recommend for a chilly autumn afternoon?
Why thank you! Right now I’m reading Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which I absolutely love: beautiful use of words, extremely vivid characters whom you relate to as if they were your real-life friends, and a fascinating chance to experience what it is like to be a Nigerian immigrant in England and the United States. And as for music, I’d definitely recommend the new album ‘Depression Cherry’ by Beach House. It’s slow, dreamy and melancholic – perfect for these dark autumn nights.