As another generation of business school students conclude their studies we ask them to reflect on Graduation Day and the lifelong impact of their studies…

• Name: Emma Rosenberg  
• Position: Marketing Coordinator at Aalto University School of Business 
• Degree: Master’s in Marketing  
• Institution: Aalto University School of Business 

How does participating in a graduation ceremony help you emotionally mark the end of your student journey and prepare for what’s next?

Participating in the graduation ceremony helped me wrap up my time as a student. After around five years of studying, it felt important to celebrate all the work that went into earning my degree. Since I had already started working just before graduating, the ceremony gave me a sense of closure, allowing one chapter to end and another to begin. Otherwise, it would have been easy to just continue into the working life without reflecting on this achievement. 

What does it mean to you to be recognized publicly for your learning and accomplishment – and who do you feel you’re representing as you cross the stage?

Being recognised publicly for my accomplishment felt good and validating. It was also a way for the university to acknowledge the effort that students put into their studies and thank them for the past years.  

“With what I’ve learned, I hope to contribute to a better future. I might not know in practice what it will be yet, but I know that I have all the needed skills for it.” 

– Emma Rosenberg  

It was also important to have my family there with me as they have been a big support throughout my studies. So, it was an important moment not just for me but also the people around me. 

In a world where learning never really ends, what does ‘graduating’ mean to you – and what kind of impact do you want to make with what you’ve learned? 

I think graduation can be seen as a milestone in my education, but definitely not as the end of my learning. I’m grateful that studying at Aalto gave me more than just theoretical knowledge; I also learned how to solve problems, think critically, and collaborate, which are important in today’s world. Moreover, I learned how to learn, which will help me grow even more in the future.  

With what I’ve learned, I hope to contribute to a better future. I might not know in practice what it will be yet, but I know that I have all the needed skills for it. 

What is the single most memorable aspect of your studies that you will remember long after graduation? 

I have to say, what made my time at Aalto memorable was the community, from the students to the staff. I especially appreciated the marketing professors and lecturers who made learning genuinely inspiring by sharing their enthusiasm and expertise.  

Outside of studying, I also actively took part in volunteering and had the chance to meet many amazing students from across various study fields and different backgrounds. So, in the end, it’s the people I’ll remember the most even after graduation. 

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