Seema Ganoo, an electrical engineer from India, has faced challenges adapting to her new country and culture as a jobseeker. She hopes companies would be more open to migrants and questions why many positions still require Finnish or Swedish skills when the working language is English. Photo: MUOVA/VAMK
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In 2023, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences’ Design Centre MUOVA, through the Erasmus+ funded MentoraSTEAM project, spotlighted the unique challenges faced by highly skilled migrant women in Finland, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The project, which concluded in August 2023, aimed to enhance the confidence, employability, and professional skills of these women, striving to bolster their job prospects.
Seema Ganoo’s story exemplifies the experience of many skilled migrant women. An electrical engineer from India with 14 years of experience, Ganoo moved to Vaasa in 2004. Her career trajectory took a turn as she engaged in community activities while raising her children, including PTA involvement and a stint as a food columnist for a local media outlet in Vaasa. Despite her professional background and new skills, Ganoo encountered significant obstacles in re-entering the workforce.
A key event organized by MUOVA in August 2023 brought together migrant women and representatives from various organizations to discuss employment challenges. The discussions highlighted issues like gender inequality, the need for Finnish and Swedish language proficiency, and age discrimination, particularly for those over 50.
Ganoo pointed out the paradox of language requirements in a professional world that often operates in English. Despite her efforts in learning Finnish and Swedish, language barriers remain a significant hurdle.
To tackle these challenges, the event explored networking as a potential solution. Establishing connections between organizations supporting migrant women can lead to better information sharing and access to re
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
