Katharina Sickora
I remember how it felt in my student days and how hard I worked and I'm so glad to have my job. I have done so much in my life already and it's all paid off and I'm happy.
”Katharina Sickora, one of our successful graduates
Katharina Sickora studied MA Tourism Management and graduated in 2008
After graduating Katharina successfully completed an 18 month trainee programme at Aqua Dome, a 4* superior hotel with spa in Längenfeld, Austria.
She worked in every department covering all practical and administrative tasks. This allowed her to experience the business from different perspectives and understand how the organisation worked holistically.
She worked in:
- restaurant management - hotel and spa
- housekeeping
- sales and marketing
- food and beverage management
- spa area (beauty department, sauna and pool, fitness centre, children's entertainment, check-in and check-out desk)
- accounting and human resources management
- front office of hotel (reception and reservation department, guest relations management).
Katharina now works in international marketing
For 'SalzburgerLand Tourismus' - the Salzburg State Board of Tourism, as a marketing assistant for international markets (Asia, Middle East, Northern Europe, and the USA).
We asked Katharina... what were the main reasons you chose to take the course at the University of Derby Buxton?
"The culture in my country is to push and engage in further study and also I wanted to come to England for the experience. The course and the University have a good reputation and the University I studied my BA degree at in Salzburg is a partner institution to the University of Derby Buxton.
The community in Buxton is very small and engaging, it includes you and helps you find yourself and your career. There are a wide range of courses and studying here is a great opportunity and experience."
How would you sum up your experience at the University of Derby?
"There's a very personal feel at Buxton. The staff and lecturers provide time and support for individuals and the tutorials are small so you're given the attention you need. This helped me achieve highly and pursue my ambitions."
How has your degree and your MA helped you in your career so far?
"Certain marketing modules have helped me as I now know how campaigns operate realistically as well as theoretically.
Studying in England has given me loads of experience in terms of language benefits, adding to my portfolio. I can speak Italian, French, English and German. All these languages help me in the tourism industry.
My people skills have greatly improved too, I can now network in different cultures which is great for travelling experience."
What are your future plans?
"I'm very happy within my current role, however in the future, I'd like to further explore destination marketing and I would be interested in becoming a marketing manager."
