Determination Fuels Alumna of the Year Ida Yli-Mäenpää’s Success

Vaasa University of Applied Sciences’ Alumna of the Year 2026 is Bachelor of Business Administration graduate Ida Yli-Mäenpää. Having evolved from a social media influencer into a chart-topping artist with record-breaking streaming figures, Yli-Mäenpää encourages young people to pursue their own dreams.

“I’m truly honoured. This recognition means a great deal to me,” says Yli-Mäenpää, who graduated in 2023 with a degree in Business Administration, specialising in marketing.

The Alumna of the Year encourages current students to dream big, discover what they are passionate about, and take action, even if they do not yet have a clear plan for the future.

“You’ll find your direction by doing. That’s how you begin to move toward your dream. Start small if you need to, be curious and courageous, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. People are often much more willing to help than you might think,” Yli-Mäenpää advises.

Self-Confidence Grows Through Success

Having dreamed of a career as an artist since childhood, Yli-Mäenpää chose to study at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences because there is no clear path to becoming a successful performer, and having a backup plan seemed like a smart idea. Business Administration appealed to her because of its broad scope and the opportunity to explore different areas of interest.

“I initially chose International Business because of its strong employment prospects, but after just a few weeks I realised that marketing was much more my thing.”

After switching her specialisation to marketing, Yli-Mäenpää felt she had found a field that genuinely interested and inspired her.

“I’ve never considered myself particularly good at school, but marketing felt right from the start. I realised I was actually good at it. When you get to work in a field that interests you, you experience success, and that builds your self-confidence.”

For Yli-Mäenpää, marketing offered the right balance of creativity and practical learning.

“We worked on a variety of projects for real companies, which gave us hands-on experience and the chance to apply what we learned in practice.”

Hard Work Brings Results

During the entrepreneurship courses included in her Business Administration studies, Yli-Mäenpää remembers thinking that she would never become an entrepreneur. Yet for the past couple of years, she has been working as a self-employed professional and building a career as a social media influencer.

“You never know where life will take you, which is why it’s important to keep an open mind while studying. The knowledge and skills you gain during your studies may prove valuable in ways you never expect.”

Her dream career became a reality through persistence and hard work. After releasing her first song at the beginning of 2026, Yli-Mäenpää’s popularity skyrocketed with the hit single Väärä nainen. Although her schedule is already packed with performances for the coming summer, rehearsals and studio sessions, she has no shortage of ambitions for the future.

“My dream is to become the Finland’s biggest pop star,” she laughs, before adding: “It still feels unbelievable to be in this position and to have already achieved so many of my goals. But I want a long-lasting career as an artist and to create timeless music that endures.”

Looking back, Yli-Mäenpää believes her studies taught her one of the most important lessons of all: hard work pays off.

“My studies taught me that if I’m willing to put in enough work, I can become really good at something. When I dedicated myself to building my TikTok channel, I was passionate about it and kept showing up consistently. Eventually, the channel took off and opened countless opportunities for me. So find something you’re truly passionate about and be prepared to work hard. In the end, the effort will be worth it.”