Alumni stories: Master studies opened new doors in the agricultural sector

Agriculture and rural development have been a central part of my career for a long time. I worked for nearly 15 years in agricultural advisory services at ProAgria Etelä-Suomi. The job gave me the opportunity to be close to the everyday life and development of farms, but over the years I began to feel the need to update my skills. I decided to apply to Häme University of Applied Sciences to study for a Master’s degree in Natural Resources, and I graduated in August 2023.

The Master’s studies opened new opportunities in working life. After graduating, I applied for a job at Häme Vocational Institute (HAMI) and was selected as the project manager for the “Work on a Farm” project. When the project ended, an opportunity opened with the same employer in Mustiala as a substitute lecturer, which I eagerly took on. In this lecturer role, I teach modules in livestock production and agricultural entrepreneurship. Teaching feels like a natural continuation of my career, and it is rewarding to share my experience and inspire new professionals to enter the agricultural field.

Llamas as the inspiration for my thesis

I live on a farm, and in addition to grain farming as our main production line, we also breed wooly llamas. So it was no coincidence that my Master’s thesis also focused on llamas. In my thesis, I studied how the uniqueness of llamas can be utilized in developing llama breeding. My studies at HAMK left me with a particularly positive impression of flexible and highly competent teaching. During my studies, I also had the opportunity to gain international experience when I travelled to the United States in autumn 2023 to learn about llama breeding. The trip provided valuable research material for my thesis and offered new perspectives on raising llamas in a country where the field has long traditions and strong expertise.

Lifelong learning

Inspired by my work as a teacher, I began considering teacher education. In autumn 2025, alongside my job, I started studying in HAMK’s professional teacher education programme, and I will graduate this spring.

“For me, studying at HAMK has not been just about earning a degree, but a step toward new opportunities in working life.”

-Pia Kekkonen

At the same time, it strengthened my belief that learning continues throughout life, and that new paths can open even after a long career. Maybe that captures the essence of learning: There is always more to learn.

Pia Kekkonen, HAMK master’s degree alumna, class of 2023

Alumni stories

The Alumni stories are part of HAMK’s alumni activities. In collaboration with the The Moment project, they give alumni a voice and offer services and events that help alumni stay connected to the HAMK community. Through these activities, alumni can take part in mentoring, expand their professional networks, and make use of services that support personal and career development.

Alumni activities at HAMK