#CareerGoals: 5 steps to designing your perfect career path

Hello, I’m Evelyn Grosschmidt and I am 22 years old. I grew up in Switzerland, but am originally from Slovakia. My first field of studies was medicine but quickly found out it was not the right field for me. My life was all about studying alone and I rarely had contact with people because I didn’t have time to go out. I decided to change my field to Hospitality Management and joined Hotel Institute Montreux.

Step 1: Choose the right environment and follow your dreams!

Sometimes it is hard to make the right decision, but after knowing what I have missed in my previous field of study, I knew what I was looking for.

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I knew that I wanted to study with people from all around the world.

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I chose Hotel Institute Montreux and Hospitality because I was looking for a field of study with fellow students coming from all around the world. I fell in love with the school right after I visited the campus and decided to apply right away. Montreux is amazing – it just doesn’t feel like being in Switzerland. Here, you have palm trees, the nice weather and the lake, everything feels like being on holidays next to the beach– I really enjoy being here.

Step 2: Set yourself goals and go for them!

During studies at Hotel Institute Montreux students are required to do two, six-month internships.

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I always knew that I wanted to go to Dubai and at the beginning of my studies I set my goal to complete my first internship there.

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When I attended my first International Recruitment Forum (Career Fair organized by Swiss Education Group), I went to all of the booths and asked directly if they offered internships in Dubai. Following the event, to my own surprise, I received many job offers located all around the world. I received an offer from the Ritz Carlton in Vienna, Austria, with the St. Regis in Doha, Qatar and another in Tenerife, Spain. But I knew that I was looking for a pulsing social life and had my sights set on Dubai!

And then it came! I received an email from the Human Resource Manager from Grand Hyatt in Dubai saying “Welcome to Grand Hyatt”! My wish has come true and I will be a trainee in Front Office Management this summer!

Step 3: Preparation is key!

We receive great career training and preparation via MyCareer on how to write a CV, a motivation letter and how to ace an interview.

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Since beginning my studies, I can see my progress in professional development within a very short period of time.

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I just started my studies last year in October and from then until now, I have gained great knowledge about the hospitality management industry. Furthermore, my language skills have improved due to the English-speaking program. This has helped my self-confidence and self-awareness.

Step 4: Search for challenges and don’t settle for the standard!

I have never worked before, not abroad or in Switzerland so moving and working in Dubai will be a completely new experience for me – one that I am very much looking forward to.

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I could have taken the chance to stay in Geneva and work in Switzerland, but I wanted something completely new.

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I know that Dubai is going to be challenging. I have heard both positive and negative things about the destination, but I am ready and curious to gain my own experiences. I am happy and very motivated to make this step and start a new chapter in my life. The last term at HIM really showed me what to expect and how to be prepared for handling different kinds of situations during my internship.

Step 5: Seize opportunities!

For my second internship, I am very interested in working in Hong Kong SAR or Singapore.

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I am looking for a challenging position in a very international location.

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I haven’t done much research yet, but since I am coming back in January I will be able to attend the next IRF in March 2018 where I will take the opportunity to look for my second internship. I am quite confident that this will work out and I am happy to explore opportunities, gain more knowledge and enjoy new challenges.

Ready for tomorrow – check! ☑