Social Science Professionals (Yhteiskunta-alan korkeakoulutetut ry, YKA) is a labour union for employees, graduates and students in public or private sector or NGOs. The association is an affiliate of the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava).
The association safeguards its members’ professional, financial, educational and social interests on the labour market. The association also aims to promote appreciation for the professions represented by its members and the professional identity of its members.
A typical training background for members is a university degree in political or social science, administration, humanities or pedagogics. Our membership already exceeds 14 000, and the number of members is rising steadily.
The world and the worklife are changing rapidly. That’s why now is the perfect time to study social sciences: your studies will help you understand change, develop your advocacy skills, and find your place in an evolving workplace – so that by the time you graduate, you’ll be better prepared to seize new opportunities!
When you join as a student member using the code YKA26, you’ll get access to all member benefits and free membership for the rest of the year! Please notice, that the campaign discount applies to the student membership fee; membership in the unemployment fund is sold separately.
Economists often tend to talk about figures, such as debt, as if they were neutral truths. Social scientists can highlight how the economy and politics are intertwined, writes post-doctoral researcher Laura Nordström in her essay.
I couldn’t have been happier when I got a job in my field after only three years’ study. Back then I could never have imagined that I would burn out – and have to give up my new job, writes our YKA Ambassador Saara Pajunen.
More than any other age group, the employment opportunities of the young are impacted by economic cycles, writes Advocacy Specialist Annika Nevanpää.
YKA got a new director at the end of 2025 when Terhi Leiniö from Lahti took on the role as the Union’s Director of Member Experience and Services. Terhi, who are you?
Research shows that the management practices in a workplace explain a great deal when it comes to the differences in productivity between companies and regions.
Work must not burn out the workers. When the conditions of employment are reasonable, leisure time won’t only be about recovery, but instead you can enjoy it fully.
YKA is building a working life for its members that fits life, and also includes breaks and transitions between jobs. Join YKA – let’s build a fairer working life together!
You can find the English course catalog for Social Science Professionals here:
In sustainable careers, the work does not make people ill, employees develop their skills, and good management supports profitability. That is why it is our most important job as a union to build a working life that fits life.
Towards a working life that fits means a working life that supports people’s coping, upskilling and the functioning of society. In the current world of work too many people are stressed, their skill potential is not being utilised, management work is undervalued and often under-resourced, and the functioning of the public administration is being tested.
In this essay, Ilkka Kärrylä compares labour market institutions and practices in the Nordic countries. Which practices in “the Nordic model” are included in the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government and how do the labour market reforms carried out in Finland differ from Sweden, for example?
Don’t hesitate to contact us! Please call 010 231 0350 or send us an email (jasenasiat@yka.fi) for more information. If you need legal advice, please contact our lawyers juristit@yka.fi.
