Our alum Kirsti Ala-Mutka: The ability to identify ICT potential across fields opens doors to a variety of careers
Information technology and dance arts
Kirsti Ala-Mutka works as Policy Officer at the European Commission, currently in the DG GROW tourism and textiles unit. Her main task is to develop and monitor EU policies for developing the tourism ecosystem, including passenger travel, accommodations and food services, travel agencies and cultural services. The link between her work and her ICT background is strong, although perhaps not obvious to a layman.
“Information and communication technologies and the digital transition are also crucial for the tourism ecosystem. In my current role, I am part of a team that has, for example, created a Europe-wide strategy on how to make tourism increasingly digital and environmentally friendly,” Kirsti says.
Kirsti worked at the then Tampere University of Technology (TUT) for ten years as a researcher, a lecturer and an education manager. After leaving Finland in 2006, she has worked in various positions in different Commission Directorates-General, as a researcher at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and as a freelance researcher and expert. The guiding elements on her path have always been Kirsti’s own interests and what she finds valuable to work on.
I've never known in advance where I'll be in five years’ time, and I’ve lived in seven different countries over the years. I did ERASMUS exchange periods in Germany and the UK, I moved to Brussels in 2011, then I lived in Cuba for three years and completed a Master of Science in Arts degree there, and I came back here in 2021. I keep learning and developing myself all the time.”
Kirsti Ala-Mutka, Policy Officer at European Commission, DG GROW
“I've never known in advance where I'll be in five years’ time, and I’ve lived in seven different countries over the years. I did ERASMUS exchange periods in Germany and the UK, I moved to Brussels in 2011, then I lived in Cuba for three years and completed a Master of Science in Arts degree there, and I came back here in 2021. I keep learning and developing myself all the time,” Kirsti says.
Education in Tampere laid a solid foundation for the career path
An important impetus for Kirsti’s eventful life journey came from her home in the small village of Tuuri. There were not many university students in her neighbourhood, but her family always encouraged her to choose a field of study that aligns with her own interests. Kirsti started her studies at the then Tampere University of Technology (TUT) in 1992 and graduated as a Master of Science in Technology in 1998 and as a Doctor of Technology in 2005.
“What I learned at TUT laid the foundation for everything I’ve done, although my perspective has of course broadened over time. The ability to see how ICT can be applied to challenges in different fields opens up a variety of career options. It has also allowed me to change jobs and roles for a number of times. I believe all this has its roots in the university courses I took myself or taught to others, as they always included a lot of hands-on coursework related to practical problems.”
What I learned at TUT laid the foundation for everything I’ve done, although my perspective has of course broadened over time. The ability to see how ICT can be applied to challenges in different fields opens up a variety of career options. It has also allowed me to change jobs and roles for a number of times. I believe all this has its roots in the university courses I took myself or taught to others, as they always included a lot of hands-on coursework related to practical problems.”
Kirsti Ala-Mutka, Policy Officer at European Commission, DG GROW
Kirsti says she is now interested in information and communication technologies primarily from an interdisciplinary perspective – especially how they impact people’s behaviour.
“I’ve never focused on specific technologies for the sake of the technology itself, but rather to consider its positive and negative effects, and aiming to minimise the latter ones,” Kirsti says.
‘Back to University’ programme raises awareness of the EU
In November 2023, Kirsti visited Tampere University as part of the EU’s ‘Back to University’ programme. The programme aims to give both students and teachers first-hand knowledge of the EU’s activities and to put a face to the EU through real persons. During the visits, students can discuss and contribute their views on issues related to the EU and its development or ask about working for the EU.
“Now that I’ve been a Master of Science in Technology for half my life, it seemed like a good time to share my own experiences along with my career path,” Kirsti says with a grin.
The key message of Kirsti’s visit was that the EU needs more people from Finland. Many Finnish officials will be retiring in the coming years and skilled young Finns are needed to bring the Finnish perspective and experience to the Union’s work.
Towards self-understanding and internationality
Kirsti has maintained a warm relationship with Tampere and Tampere University even though she has lived abroad for a long time.
“I consider myself a TUT alum, and for a long time TUT was also my working environment. I still have many friends and acquaintances in Tampere, and on my visit to the university in November I was happy to see former colleagues and meet my doctoral supervisor Hannu-Matti Järvinen. Also, my best friend still lives in Tampere.”
For current and future students, Kirsti has two strong recommendations: constantly think about how to best develop your own skills and practices and take advantage of your university’s international setting.
It's good to talk to your fellow students about how others study, and then think about how to best develop your own skills and your ways of working and studying. Secondly, I recommend that you try living and studying together with various people whenever possible, especially students from different countries. That prepares you for future working life.”
Kirsti Ala-Mutka, Policy Officer at European Commission, DG GROW
“It's good to talk to your fellow students about how others study, and then think about how to best develop your own skills and your ways of working and studying. Secondly, I recommend that you try living and studying together with various people whenever possible, especially students from different countries. That prepares you for future working life.”
Name: Kirsti Ala-Mutka
Degree, major and graduation year: Doctor of Technology, computing education (Tampere University of Technology) 2005, Post-graduate teacher, professional and vocational teaching (TAMK) 2005, Master of Science in Dance Arts (University of Havana) 2020, Master of Science in Technology, software engineering (Tampere University of Technology) 1998
Current work: Policy Officer at European Commission, DG GROW