Francis Oyeyiola is the new Talent Coach at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK). He provides international students with career advice and assistance in matters related to employment.
The emphasis on VAMK’s marketing is in attracting more tuition-fee paying students from its target countries. Supporting Talent Boost is a very important part of the recruitment strategy. VAMK aims to recruit prospective international students who are willing to study, live and stay as future workforce in Finland. The Talent Coach service is a vital part of this strategy.
“It has always been my dream to help people, especially the international people in Vaasa, because I have seen the struggle that a lot of foreigners go through,” Francis Oyeyiola says.
Using his own experience as a lesson
The Talent Coach helps VAMK’s students to shift from student life to working life. Students can get guidance, for instance, in writing a good CV and a cover letter. Francis Oyeyiola’s services also include preparing the students for the job interview. Along with guidance in working life related matters, he looks after the students’ mental well-being.
“If the students have issues with their mental well-being, it affects their ability to concentrate in classes, as well,” he says.
From IT professional to Talent Coach
In 2004, Francis Oyeyiola moved to Finland from Ghana and started studying Information Technology at VAMK. After completing his studies, Oyeyiola educated himself more and completed his master’s degree at the University of Vaasa. After that, he decided to do something completely different.
I went to TAMK (Tampere University of Applied Sciences) to do my Professional Teacher Degree. I started studying more, trying to move away from the IT industry to do something different.
Before coming to VAMK, Francis Oyeyiola worked as a Job Coach at YA Vocational College of Ostrobothnia. When the Talent Coach’s position at VAMK opened up, Oyeyiola thought that it was something he had always dreamed of.
As an alumnus of VAMK, Oyeyiola has faced the same kind of challenges as VAMK’s current students.
Coming back to VAMK and sharing my story with the students shows them that everything is possible. Seeing the students’ progress in the best thing in my work.
