Käthriin Steinberg graduated from the Purchasing and Procurement programme at TTK University of Applied Sciences in February 2025. Although her studies have come to an end, her connection with the university remains strong. Today, she contributes to TTK as a guest lecturer and project manager, while also playing an active role in the Engineering Academy.

A Conscious Choice of Study Programme

When finishing high school, Käthriin took a systematic approach to choosing her future path. She went through the full list of programmes offered by universities and higher education institutions across Estonia, narrowing it down to four or five that interested her the most. In the end, she applied to two: Purchasing and Procurement at TTK and Public Relations at Tallinn University.“I was accepted into both, but at that moment the TTK programme felt more practical and relevant,” she recalls.

Like many first-year students, she found navigating the campus more challenging than expected. “It was actually quite difficult to figure out where everything was in the building,” she says. To make her first day easier, she reached out the night before to a future classmate—still a complete stranger at the time—and suggested they go to school together.

“It felt much less intimidating going together,” she says, recommending the same approach to today’s freshmen.

The structure of her studies allowed her to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Käthriin was involved in the TTK Marketing Club, helped organise the Engineering Career Day, and contributed to several initiatives within the Engineering Academy.“The right opportunities will find you—you just need the courage to say yes,” she explains.

Two moments from her studies stand out in particular, both of which she also mentioned in her graduation speech.

“One of the most memorable experiences was organising an entrepreneurship inspiration day together with our entire class,” she says. “It was incredible to see how our group dynamic evolved—we became much more united, and we learned so much about ourselves and each other along the way.”

Another highlight came during the thesis defences. “We were all eagerly waiting for each other’s results and celebrated every success with applause, as if it were our own,” she recalls.

Lecturers Who Made an Impact

One of the most influential figures during her studies was Anneli Ramjalg, a leading lecturer at TTK’s Institute of Civil Engineering.“She’s someone who truly stayed with me—such a sincere and kind person,” Käthriin says.

She also highlights the contribution of Ivika Uslov, a development specialist at the Centre for Humanities and Economics.“She was our biggest supporter when we organised the entrepreneurship inspiration day. To me, she’s one of the warmest and most positive people at the university.”

What She Took from TTK

One of the most valuable skills Käthriin developed during her studies was confidence in public speaking.“We had to give quite a lot of presentations, and at the time I didn’t enjoy it at all,” she admits. “But now it’s much easier, and it’s been incredibly useful.”

Her advice is simple: practice makes perfect—and sometimes the most important thing is just having the courage to speak up.

Looking back, she values the connections and relationships she built the most. If she had to sum up her years at TTK in a few words, she wouldn’t hesitate: transformative and exciting.

She also considers the strong practical focus of the curriculum to be one of TTK’s greatest strengths.“The biggest advantage of TTK is the amount of practical experience—both in class and outside of it,” she says. “That’s what makes graduates stand out to employers.”

From Student to Contributor—and Back Again

Even today, Käthriin remains closely involved with TTK. In the past autumn semester, she worked as a guest lecturer at the Institute of Logistics, teaching second- and third-year students. The experience gave her a new perspective on teaching and deepened her appreciation for the work of lecturers.Interestingly, her return to the university had been predicted—during the 2025 Engineering Career Day, someone suggested she would soon find her way back.

In addition to teaching, she has worked as a project manager for several TTK events, including the TTK 110 alumni reunion, the career specialists’ information day “Engineering That Works”, and the inspiration day for girls “The Future Is in the Hands of Women Engineers!”Within the Engineering Academy, she coordinates school visits to TTK and helps organise the university’s participation in career events across Estonia.

With so much ongoing involvement, TTK remains a central part of her daily life. As a result, she says she doesn’t yet fully feel like an alumna—her connection to the university is still very much alive.

Alongside her work, Käthriin is currently studying prerequisite courses in law at Tallinn University, with the goal of applying to a master’s programme in law.“Once I’ve completed my master’s degree, it would be exciting to consider a role such as a procurement lawyer—combining both of my fields of study,” she says.

Giving Back as an Alumna

Käthriin believes alumni play an important role in supporting both current students and recent graduates, particularly through guest lecturing.

“When I was in that position myself, I felt the connection with students was different—I had already gone through the same journey, while they were still in the middle of it,” she explains.This shared understanding created a more open and trusting atmosphere. “We understood each other almost instantly,” she adds.

According to Käthriin, students are especially interested in practical insights.“They want to hear real-life experiences. There’s already plenty of theory,” she says. “The most engaging part is hearing people’s actual stories.”

She also emphasises that entering the job market doesn’t start after graduation.“Graduates obviously need jobs, but in reality, that process begins much earlier. Often, the right opportunity comes through an internship.”

For this reason, she encourages alumni to actively offer and promote internship opportunities within their organisations—helping students gain valuable experience and often take their first steps into their careers.Events like the annual Engineering Career Day at TTK provide an excellent platform for this.

Advice to Students

Käthriin’s message to current students is clear and encouraging: “Don’t be afraid of anything. A test, exam, or even your final thesis grade doesn’t define you. What really matters are the knowledge and skills you gain—and the kind of person you become.”

As she puts it herself, opportunities come to those who are willing to ask, to accept, and to take action—even when it feels a little intimidating at first.“There’s no need to wait for someone else’s opinion or approval—just do what feels right to you.”