From Brilliance to Finance

From Brilliance to Finance

In the world of hospitality management education, brilliance has long been defined by operational mastery and service excellence. However, for Ana-Maria Cazanescu, a young Romanian student, her academic brilliance has unlocked new horizons in the world of finance.

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By Swiss Education Group

3 minutes
brilliance for finance

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With the highest GPA of her graduating cohort, success in prestigious business simulations, and a coveted role in finance, Ana's path is the perfect example of a HIM’s success story.

Ana's journey began with the uncertainty many students face about their future. A chance encounter with HIM at a university fair in Romania piqued her interest in the school's unique blend of hospitality and business education. After experiencing it firsthand at a summer camp, Ana was convinced, solidifying her decision through an essay competition win. "The combination of hospitality expertise with versatile business acumen gave me an advantage I couldn't find anywhere else," Ana recalls. The starting point of trailblazing excellence.

Initially resistant to finance, Ana's mindset shifted through coursework, case studies, and competitions. "Winning the GLO-BUS simulation as part of a team with Aleksandra, Giacomo and Simeone, showed me the real-world applications of financial strategy," she shares. "Suddenly, concepts like forecasting, capital raising and portfolio management transcended textbooks." An internship at a prestigious Engelberg resort provided practical finance experience, from income auditing to systems integration. This further cemented her belief in a financial career.

As her final terms at HIM unfolded, she faced two diverging paths: a sales position or joining Engelberg’s finance department. Ultimately, she had recognized that her personal and professional growth potential lay in finance. "The faculty's guidance, alongside interactions with alumni, for example Francesco Gullo, Senior Corporate Accountant at Kempinski Hotels, confirmed that the finance option was the right decision for me." Ana explains.

HIM's academic model, including a finance specialisation, was key in cultivating Ana's passion. As Gedeon Tumong, HIM’s longstanding finance expert shares, "Our curriculum unlocks students' brilliance by exposing them to diverse career paths. We develop well-rounded professionals who can add value across industries."

For Ana, being "world ready" took on new meaning - providing her with financial expertise to complement her soft skills. "HIM expanded my possibilities instead of confining them to a single vertical," Ana affirms. "I now have the skills and confidence to explore various finance roles, like consulting and business development."

Her accomplishments highlight HIM's new positioning, empowering the new generation of business leaders. Alongside successful alumni like Elin Wallington, Michael Wu, and Gustav Tuvesson, Ana represents the brilliant minds shaping tomorrow’s markets.

HIM expanded my possibilities instead of confining them to a single vertical.

Her classmate and friend Aleksandra Medvedeva, who also emerged victorious in the GLO-BUS simulation, echoes the school’s impact on her career: "HIM grew my interest in management and consulting. The finance specialization, experiential learning, and lecturers' industry experiences transformed me, providing a competitive edge for the business world."

As Ana-Maria Cazanescu embarks on her professional finance journey, her inspirational story motivates others to transcend industry boundaries and unlock new realms of potential for current and future HIM students.

Keep an open mind, take calculated risks, and be ready to redefine your path when new opportunities arise. That's how brilliance evolves into an enduring legacy of impact.

Denis Klotz
HIM finance lecturer and student mentor

 

This article is an excerpt from the new HIM magazine, READY. Read the complete magazine online for a glimpse into the HIM approach to life and learning.

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By Swiss Education Group