My name is Elisabeth Zauner, I grew up in Carinthia and live in Vienna with my husband and two small children. I spent a year in Australia when I was 16 and since then it was clear to me that there is nothing better than travelling and discovering different cultures. My children have also travelled a lot, we spent several weeks in Thailand with them during maternity leave.
Please tell us about your career as well as your current professional activities and your work as a part-time lecturer at IMC Krems. How do you reconcile everything?
Aviation has always held an incredible fascination for me, and after my internship at Austrian Airlines in Paris, it was clear to me that I wanted to pursue this passion professionally. I started working for Emirates in Indoor Sales back in 2008. Since August 2022, I have held the position of Country Manager and am delighted to be able to represent such a great product in the market with my great team. On the side, I teach "Negotiation and Sales Skills Training" at the Institute of Tourism at IMC Krems. The fact that I have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge to students makes me particularly happy and would not be possible without the support of my family and especially my husband. Good organisation is indispensable here.
Why did you decide to study at IMC Krems? Why the bachelor programme Tourism and Leisure Management (formerly: Tourism Management and Leisure Industries)?
The decisive factors for me were the practical relevance, English as the language of instruction and the many opportunities to gain experience abroad, which I took full advantage of with two internship semesters abroad and an Erasmus semester.
What were the highlights for you during your time as a student?
One of the best aspects was certainly the cohesion among the students. We all lived in Krems, spent our free time together and supported each other. I even went on an internship semester in Mexico together with some of my fellow students, which was a wonderful, educational time.
Which contents of the degree programme do you find most helpful for professional life?
Looking back, I learned really well how to present content and work in a team during my studies. A large number of practical group projects and the various personality training courses have remained particularly valuable in my memory.
What is special about IMC Krems?
IMC Krems combines practical content, including lecturers from the business world, with internationality and innovation. In this way, students are optimally prepared for the challenges of the global economy.
Why does studying pay off, apart from the acquisition of knowledge?
Studying at IMC Krems is fun! Krems is a very liveable small town, and over time you get to know many students both from Austria and from other countries. All degree programmes are practice-oriented and there are various opportunities to spend time abroad as part of your studies. A successful combination!
What tip can you pass on to those who are interested in studying at IMC Krems?
Inform yourself in advance about the study contents, exchange information with existing students and alumni. Do you value personal exchange among fellow students as well as with the lecturers and the programme director? Then IMC Krems is the right place for you.
