Background in tourism
I had already acquired a hotelier qualification in Germany before I applied to study at IMC Krems. The programme in Krems was a perfect add-on, because it was in English, and because I was also able to study two more foreign languages. Of course, I’ve also benefited from getting to know my colleagues – I still meet up with them and we share our experiences. The IMC Alumni Network is well organised.
A great community from day 1
Moving from Berlin to Krems was no easy decision, but I got to know a lot of people and from the very first day I was part of the group. I integrated very quickly – learning the various Austrian dialects.
When I receive applications from IMC Krems graduates or students for internships or an advertised position at the hotel, I immediately feel a connection. I know how intensive the programme was, but that you also get a high-quality education.
Soft skills meet specialised knowledge
I still benefit from what I learned at the IMC Krems, especially by working closely with the programme director. I drew a lot of lessons for my career: how to approach projects, how to set priorities, how to manage and lead a team. The soft skills are also very important, not just the specialised knowledge. Working in international hospitality is exciting, because you’re always getting to know different cultures – not only in contact with the guests, but also the staff. At Palais Hansen Kempinski we have employees from 23 countries. That’s the real challenge: coordinating people from many cultures, knowing and understanding their backgrounds and needs.
An education that opens doors
At my first job interview after completing my degree, they said: ‘You know that you’ve studied at the best university of applied sciences for the tourism industry in Austria’. At the time, I didn’t realise that IMC Krems was held in such esteem. The university’s good reputation has opened many doors for me.
If I had to describe my degree programme in three words, I would choose: intensive – because it was a real challenge; emotional – because there were ups and downs, but we went through them together; and open-minded – thanks to the internship and numerous international experiences.
My tip
The service industry requires much passion, empathy and flexibility. It is important to be aware that this is a highly demanding field to work in, but it is also very rewarding – on a human level.
