Jari Aalto & Joel Kaidesoja

AFA has been serving the Aalto Finance graduate community in Finland since 2016 with a purpose of helping alumni sustain old connections and build new ones with graduates across generations. Every year, several finance alumni either start their career or relocate abroad, creating an increasingly more international network of former Aalto Finance graduates.

AFA is committed to increasing its reach among alumni, and AFA’s 2021 Board has two members, Joel Kaidesoja and Jari Aalto, based in London. Joel and Jari, alongside their other duties on the board, are committed to building and strengthening the network of Aalto Finance graduates in London. The plan is to bring the community closer together through various easily approachable casual events, where London-based alumni can meet and network with other fellow Aalto Finance alumni.

Joel is based in London since the summer of 2018 and is working in investment banking. “I decided to re-join the AFA Board having been part of it during my studies in 2017, as there are many AFA members located outside Finland and in London in particular. AFA’s activities don’t have to be limited to our home country, but great events can be organized for our community also internationally,” Joel thinks.

Jari moved to London after graduating in 2017 and has worked in investment banking both in London and New York since then. “The Finance community at Aalto gave a lot to me during my studies both personally and professionally, and AFA’s events are a great way to keep in touch with old friends and meet new people,” Jari mentions.

“Jari and I are looking to build AFA’s presence in London and connect newcomers with alumni who have lived in the city for longer,” Joel adds.

Currently there are several Aalto Finance graduates working in the finance sector in London, and Aalto Finance graduates have a good reputation in the city. Aalto alumni are known for their good work ethic and applicable skill set, and opportunities in London are well known among students due to the annual KY Finance London trip.

Every year different banks in London welcome approximately 10 interns from Aalto, many of whom decide to return for a full-time position after graduation. In addition, many alumni decide to relocate to London at a later stage or do a rotation, so in total there is a strong and growing pool of alumni that are based in London.

As its first London-based event, AFA is looking to host informal networking drinks later this year in September (COVID permitting) once everyone has returned from vacation and new finance graduates have settled in the city.

If you wish to be involved in AFA’s London events, feel free to connect with Joel and Jari on LinkedIn to be included for future events.

Jari Aalto and Joel Kaidesoja are board members of Aalto Finance Alumni.

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