New premiere for Open House at Campus Flemingsberg
After a three-year hiatus, it was finally time for the Open House at Campus Flemingsberg. About a hundred visitors braved the snowstorm to seek answers to what they want to do this autumn – and perhaps for the rest of their lives.
Cold, snow and strong wind met those who sought Flemingsberg on March 29. The beach flags that showed the way from Södertörn University to KTH shone like blue beacons in the abundant snowfall.
“We didn't really know in advance what to expect, so it was funny that so many visitors came, despite the snowstorm. Some stayed for a long time and it was fun to see," says Åsa Karsberg, Communicator and Project Manager for Open House in Flemingsberg.
Åsa estimates that just over 100 visitors made it to KTH on Hälsovägen. At the same time, there was also an Open House at the other universities on the campus: Södertörn University, Red Cross, Karolinska Institutet and SMI, Stockholm's Music Education Institute.
Study Advisors, Programme Directors and students were asking both simple and more complex questions. Several students wanted to switch tracks. They had found that their previous choices would lead to jobs they would not enjoy.
Well-attended lectures
Mats Nilsson, Director of First and Second Cycle Education and Programme Director for Medical Technology, held a well-attended lecture on the topic "Programs and KTH".
“Every year I have some students who have chosen to study the 5-year engineering programme, but who should have chosen the 3-year engineering programme instead. And vice versa," says Mats.
He explained how the applicants could think if they were hesitating between studying for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Master of Science in Engineering:
“It is more advantageous to enter the labor market as an Bachelor of Science in Engineering after three years, compared to dropping out of the education for a Master of Science in Engineering after the same number of years. This is because the education for a university engineer is more practically oriented and adapted to the needs of employers.”
A question that often comes up is which employers recruit engineers.
“You don't have to think about it. If you have graduated from KTH, you have proven that you can learn things and that makes you attractive to employers," Mats explained to the thoughtful audience.
Peter Sillén, Programme Director for Technology and Economics, got a good impression of the Open House with curious visitors, committed employees and students.
“I am satisfied that everything was well planned and that our exhibition space gave a neat, pleasant and informative impression.”
The most unexpected question Peter came across came from a visitor who simply stated, "I'm not that into technology, but maybe I'm missing something... why is it good to study technology?"
Before next year, Peter hopes that the contacts with the High Schools in the local area will be further deepened:
“It is important to build on the approach to properly reach out to students and teachers at the High Schools, especially in the seven municipalities around Södertörn.”
Questions encouraged
Frida Nilsson, Study Advisor for Computer and Electrical Engineering summarizes the day:
“I felt that there was a steady stream of visitors who were interested in all our programs.”
She says that the most common question was what is the difference between the programs.
“Our students did a great job of arousing further interest in our programs from our visitors. They gave clear and good information and encouraged questions," says Frida.
Åsa Karsberg hopes that there will be an Open House in Flemingsberg next year as well.
“Then maybe we invest in being open for three hours instead of four. In the last hour, after five o'clock, there were very few visitors. Otherwise, it feels like we had set the bar at the right level and that we will run roughly the same concept next year," says Åsa Karsberg.
Text: Leena Höijer
