What inspired you to work for EHL Hospitality Business School?
I fell in love with Higher Education while working for HEC Paris. When I moved to Switzerland, it was crucial for me to continue working in a school of higher education that shared similar values. Excellence and working in a renowned school are especially important for me. I also enjoy being in a very international environment, working with talented people, and being driven by values of experimentation and caring that are really illustrated on a day-to-day basis through all the initiatives EHL is taking, its staff and students.
Describe a typical day at work.
There's not a typical day at work, and it's what I enjoy! But we may describe it as follows:
In my role as a Student Recruitment Program Advisor at EHL Hospitality Business School, a typical day is dynamic and multifaceted, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and high level of engagement required to attract and guide prospective students.
I start my day by reviewing and responding to emails, ensuring timely communication with prospective students, parents, and other stakeholders. This involves answering inquiries about the admission process, providing detailed information about our programs, and addressing any concerns or questions.
Following this, I often have meetings scheduled with various teams, including marketing, admissions, and external partners. These meetings are crucial for aligning our recruitment strategies, planning upcoming events, and discussing ways to enhance our outreach efforts.
I might focus on preparing for and conducting recruitment events. This can include virtual webinars, on-campus tours, or attending high school fairs. I meticulously plan these events to showcase the unique advantages of EHL, ensuring each session is informative and engaging. During these events, I present to prospective students, highlighting our programs, campus life, and career opportunities, while also fielding questions to provide personalized guidance.
In the afternoon, I dedicate time to nurturing relationships with prospective students. This involves personalized follow-ups, providing additional resources, and advising them on the next steps in their application process.
Additionally, I work on strategic projects aimed at improving our recruitment processes and enhancing our brand presence in the Swiss-French-speaking market. This can include analyzing data to identify trends, developing new marketing materials, or planning future recruitment initiatives.
Throughout the day, I maintain strong communication with external stakeholders, such as high school counselors and industry partners, to build and sustain relationships that support our recruitment goals.
As the day concludes, I review my progress on various tasks, ensuring that all goals are met.
EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne
Why do you do what you do?
My background is in HR, where I developed a strong interest in balancing interpersonal relationships with project and process tasks. In my current role, I apply similar competencies, focusing on interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and working towards clear objectives. However, I find greater purpose in my work now, as I help students find their path and make decisions that can shape their careers.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I particularly enjoy building and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders. I find great satisfaction in providing daily support to students and their parents, guiding them through the admission process, helping them understand how the program aligns with their expectations, and offering tailored advice based on their profiles. Additionally, I relish the opportunity to engage with larger audiences by organizing workshops, school visits, and ad-hoc events on campus.
What I enjoy most is seeing the students I have supported for months finally get admitted, join the campus at the beginning of the intake, and then witness their growth both in the school and towards their professional goals.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I leverage my education and international background extensively in my current role. My HR background provides a solid foundation for balancing interpersonal relationships with project and process tasks. The competencies I developed in HR—such as strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and working towards objectives—are directly applicable to my current responsibilities. Additionally, my international experiences allow me to connect with a diverse group of stakeholders, understanding and addressing their unique perspectives and needs. This global insight is particularly valuable when advising students and their families, ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout the admission process. Moreover, my ability to engage with broader audiences during workshops, school visits, and campus events is enhanced by my international exposure, allowing me to relate to a wide range of cultural backgrounds and expectations.
What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?
Our primary challenge in this role is to achieve our recruitment goals by attracting a skilled and talented group of candidates who align with the school’s values. To do this effectively, we need to focus on reaching the right audience through high schools, fairs, marketing campaigns, and events. As EHL is a school of excellence, we also face the challenge of upholding high service standards and ensuring exceptional customer experiences for everyone we engage with.
Students in the Lausanne campus
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
To pursue what we enjoyed most, I reflect on my early HR career where certain aspects were very fulfilling, while others were less enjoyable and overall quite stressful. Now, working in the education sector has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I wake up each day excited to go to work, appreciating how rewarding it is to support and help others.
What makes your organization special?
Excellence in Hospitality Education: EHL is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and its focus on delivering top-notch education in hospitality management. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, ensuring students are well-prepared for the industry.
Strong Industry Connections: EHL has established robust relationships with leading hospitality professionals and organizations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and real-world insights.
Global Perspective: With a diverse student body and an international faculty, EHL offers a global perspective on hospitality that enriches the learning experience and prepares students for careers around the world.
Innovative Learning Environment: The school emphasizes experiential learning through state-of-the-art facilities, including hands-on training opportunities that reflect current industry practices..
Personalized Attention: With a focus on small class sizes and individualized support, EHL provides a tailored educational experience that helps students achieve their personal and professional goals.
Successful Alumni Network: EHL boasts a strong and influential alumni network, which offers ongoing career support and exemplifies the success and impact of its graduates in the global hospitality industry.
Why should we choose EHL Hospitality Business School?
It's important to mention that EHL offers mainly a business degree with the length of Hospitality with a strong focus on interpersonal skills / customer focus which make the program unique and the students very adapted to a wide range of industries and business positions.
Nowadays we have competitors either in the Business or the Hospitality industry but none of them is able to provide a unique background such as the one at EHL.
I think the points mentioned in the question above really makes the school distinguished from its competitors as well on top of the expertise and the learnings we have gained by being a school of 130 years old.
EHL Hospitality Business School’s fully-equipped gymnasium
What hopes do you have for the future of EHL Hospitality Business School?
I believe EHL has a powerful position that should be actively nurtured. In an age increasingly dominated by AI and technology, the interpersonal skills, service excellence, and other attributes taught by EHL will become even more valuable.
I am hopeful that the school will continue to uphold its strong network, commitment to excellence, and the caring mindset that makes it an exceptional environment for students from diverse backgrounds.
EHL is more than just a school; it is a unique campus in Switzerland with an international student body that sets it apart.
Are there any developments with EHL Hospitality Business School that you would like to share with us?
EHL is currently focusing heavily on developing its company culture, which is essential for ensuring that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals. While this will be a lengthy process, it holds significant potential for growth and improvement in the years ahead.
Additionally, with campuses in Lausanne, Passug, and Singapore, there is still much opportunity to enhance internationalization, both on campus and within our curriculum.
What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?
- Rankings as 1st Hospitality business school
- History of the school–130 years of excellence in the hospitality industry
- The curriculum offers a blend between business and Hospitality, theory and practice
- The strong and very supportive alumni network represented all over the world
- All the infrastructures and services offered to the students - new campus in Lausanne, career center, academic advisory, student experience team
- The value of excellence, care, and experimentation are strongly embedded in the school culture
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
EHL’s mission is to shape the future of hospitality through excellence in education, innovation, and a commitment to service leadership. The organization aims to prepare students to become leaders in the global hospitality industry by providing them with a rigorous academic foundation, practical experience, and a strong ethical framework.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
- It's mainly a business program with a length of Hospitality. Students are taught strong business foundations that they will be able to use in the hospitality sector but not only, also in private banking, luxury, sports management, etc.
- The program combines academics and practice and offers a strong professional foundation to kickstart your career (2 internships and student business projects).
- Students invest not only in the four years they are enrolled but for their whole lives through the extensive resources offered by the school and the strong alumni network.
- EHL offers students the infrastructure to thrive. It's a unique campus in Switzerland.
Engaging classes held in the campus
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Broadened Perspectives: Exposure to different cultures helps individuals see the world from diverse viewpoints, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of global diversity.
Enhanced Personal Growth: Immersing oneself in new environments challenges existing beliefs and assumptions, leading to personal growth, increased adaptability, and improved problem-solving skills.
Increased Empathy: Engaging with people from various backgrounds promotes empathy and cultural sensitivity, helping to build more inclusive and harmonious communities.
Greater Creativity: Experiencing new cultures can inspire fresh ideas and innovative thinking, as individuals are exposed to different ways of life, art, and traditions.
Strengthened Communication Skills: Navigating different cultural contexts improves communication abilities and enhances interpersonal skills, which are valuable in both personal and professional settings.
Expanded Professional Opportunities: Understanding global markets and cultural nuances can open up new career opportunities and foster better international business relations
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
In essence, meaningful travel is about creating lasting memories and connections that enrich one’s life and contribute positively to the places and people experienced along the way.
Authentic Experiences: Seeking genuine interactions with local people and immersing oneself in their daily lives and traditions, rather than sticking to tourist hotspots.
Personal Growth: Using travel as an opportunity to challenge personal perspectives, learn about oneself, and develop a greater understanding of the world.
Cultural Appreciation: Respectfully exploring and appreciating different cultures, customs, and histories, and recognizing the value and diversity they bring to the global tapestry.
Sustainable Practices: Traveling in a way that is environmentally responsible and supports local economies, ensuring that the impact of travel is positive and beneficial for the communities visited.
Connection and Reflection: Building meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds and taking time to reflect on the insights gained during the journey.
