Student and Alumni Experiences
Name: Katri Lahtinen
Programme: Intellectual Property Law
Enrolled: 2009
1. Please tell us about your background
I received my BA from Jyvaskyla University of Applied Sciences in Music Management where I took courses in IPR, not only relating to copyright, but also trademarks and patents. While studying my interest to intellectual property law and the complex matters relating to it grew and I also wanted to continue studying.
2. Why did you choose Hanken and this specific Master's Degree Programme?
I had heard good things about Hanken so I wanted to look into their Master's Programmes. When I found out about the IPL Master's Programme it was self-evident that I wanted to apply to study at Hanken.
3 Describe your studies at Hanken?
During my studies at Hanken I received well organized courses and had lecturers that had always time to talk to the students. The level of teaching is high and the international atmosphere allows students to prepare for their future in the global IPR setting. Hanken provides a wide range of courses that enabled me to take courses relating to e-commerce, which is highly important to understand in order to understand all dimensions of IPRs.
4. What are your aspirations for the future?
I moved to Silicon Valley, California to start my career and currently I am working as a patent litigation paralegal at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Hanken was an excellent starting point for my career and provided the basic tools for it. Intellectual property law is an interesting field and it only gets more interesting the more you learn. Thus I see myself continuing on this path and perhaps continue my studies in the USA.
Name: Antti Leinonen
Programme: Intellectual Property Law
Enrolled (year): 2008
1. Please tell us about your background
A couple of years before enrolling at Hanken, I had graduated from Helsinki University of Technology with a Master of Science Degree. At the time of enrollment I was working as a patent examiner at the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland. During my studies I switched to the private sector and I am now working as a patent engineer drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
2. Why did you choose Hanken and this specific Master's Degree Programme?
When I heard about the Master's Degree Programme in Intellectual Property Law, I immediately thought that this is something for me. Since I already had some experience within the field of IPL, I knew that it would be very valuable to be able to combine business and legal studies with my engineering background.
3. Describe your studies at Hanken
The courses in Intellectual Property Law have given me a broad picture of the subject. Various term papers written during the courses, and especially the master's thesis, have offered an opportunity to deepen my understanding of certain aspects of IPL. I think the programme both gives the same solid foundation for everyone who is interested in IPL and allows tailoring of the studies according to one's specific interests. Some courses have required a lot of work, but it has been possible to combine the studies with my daily work.
4. What are your aspirations for the future?
Intellectual Property Rights involve a fascinating combination of law, business and technology, and I will certainly work within this field also in the future. I wish to become a qualified European Patent Attorney within the next few years. It is mainly a technology and law oriented position, but I hope I will have use for my business knowledge as well.
Name: Petteri Günther
Programme: Intellectual Property Law
Enrolled: 2007
1. Please tell us about your background
I got my law degree at the University of Helsinki and thereafter began practicing law in a law firm advising its clients in both domestic and international business law, including also IPR matters. Shortly after that I ventured to Stockholm University to complete an LL.M. degree in Law and Information Technology. It was there when I decided to continue my studies with a business degree at Hanken. But besides my studies I have also kept practicing law to combine theory and practice.
2. Why did you choose Hanken and this specific Master's Degree Programme?
During my precious university studies I have developed a strong interest towards information technology and new media. But those studies mostly concentrated merely on the legal aspects of ICT/IP business. Therefore I felt it was necessary for my professional development to deepen also my business knowledge. Practicing business law today is hardly just about solving legal dilemmas after they emerge but instead you only create additional value to any business by providing sound and well-reasoned advice which maximize the utility for that business by reducing their legal risks in advance. To do that successfully you naturally first have to comprehend the business.
3. Describe your studies at Hanken
In my view Hanken has offered good possibilities to tailor my studies to suit my needs. In addition to those compulsory studies I have been able to concentrate on eCommerce issues in order to deepen my professional skills from a business perspective, which was exactly my intention when I applied to Hanken. Besides legal studies I have taken courses in e.g. valuation and management of intellectual property, eCommerce etc. -- but also in literature and culture. Personally I have seen those "softer topics" important as well because companies do not operate in a cultural vacuum but in order to navigate in today's business culture you first must understand various cultural backgrounds to accomplish fruitful interaction with people in a global context. This has been made possible by Hanken's international faculty staff.
4. What are your aspirations for the future?
I see my future working within the ICT sector, especially dealing with online distribution and media. Basically I see no reason to exclude the possibility that I would continue my fulfilling my academic aspirations even after graduating from Hanken, as I have become more and more intrigued by my current topic as there is an immense change happening right now. But for me scholarly and - perhaps - more practically oriented professional aspirations go more or less hand in hand, and one does exclude the other; in my opinion they rather complement each other. On this path I have considered Hanken to be a very useful and also enjoyable step - not the least because of the intellectual atmosphere and the people chosen to this program.
Name: Taru Kallio-Nyholm
Programme: Intellectual Property Law
Enrolled: 2009
1. Please tell us about your background
I have worked as an IPR Specialist, with mainly trademarks issues, in the Nokia Corporation Intellectual Property Rights, Brand Protection organization for the past 7 years. After I got my BBA degree in 2006 I did some IPR related studies at the IPR University Center. I have previously worked with ICT, tourism and marketing, and have a degree in this field as well.
2. Why did you choose Hanken and this specific Master's Degree Programme?
Since I started to work with IPR issues they have been my passion. I looked for specific IPR courses, hence Hanken was a natural choice for me. Hanken is the only school in Finland offering such a programme. This was perfect for me to continue with my studies, to get an academic degree and to really get deep into the IPR world. I was also aware of the high quality of the teaching at Hanken and I found the programme structure to be very well corresponding to the needs of working life.
3. Describe your studies at Hanken
The quality of the studies at Hanken has been very high and I have been impressed by the knowledge of the teachers. I was expecting a programme that is up-to-date on relevant IPR topics and trends and so far my expectations have been very well reached. Hanken also provides a vast collection of other interesting courses, which support my major studies. There is a strong academic atmosphere, but still a strong link to the business world that is needed in order to succeed in working life.
4. What are your aspirations for the future?
I look forward to work with interesting and challenging IPR issues. I am interested in brand protection, but also keen on looking further into issues related to IPR strategies and business strategies. I have not excluded the possibility of further developing myself in the future by continuing with doctoral studies. Hanken offers good opportunities for this as well.