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The world of work and careers has become increasingly unpredictable. The traditional steady and linear career paths no longer exist, as careers have become fragmented and involve a lot of transitions. Changing work life calls for new methods in career guidance, too. To address this challenge, Aalto University has developed the concept of career design, where creativity and experimentation play a crucial role in determining one's professional direction.

What is my superpower?

Career Design Lab's Design a Meaningful Career program, which is based on an online course of the same name (2 credits), was held for the second time in the spring of 2024. The program focused on creative and design-based methods, with students reflecting on their personal career identity and its development. The foundation of identity consists of personal values, strengths, and interests. In career design we refer to strengths as superpowers. Using their values and strengths as a basis, students devised professional futures and prototypes for them. Prototypes are ways to trial different career options and thus test which alternatives feel right.In practice, a prototype could mean choosing an interesting interdisciplinary course, applying for a summer job or internship, or interviewing an alum in an interesting position.

Career design in collaboration 

The training program was carried out in collaboration with Aalto Effective Altruism (EA), a student organization that helps its members work towards making the world a better place by solving important problems using effective methods. 

Career Design Lab's work as a successor to career and recruitment services began in 2020. Career Design Lab provides support for career planning and job hunting through career guidance, offering materials and tools for independent career design, and organizing workshops and training programs.

The Design a Meaningful Career online course is still available until July 31st 2024. Students can find career design tools on the Career Design Lab website, too. Teachers can request Career Design Lab content for their courses. Visit the Career design modules website, explore its training offerings and contact us.