Aiming for the skies - an internship with Emirates

MODUL University Vienna offers a unique blend of theoretical and practical education in the three-year Bachelor of Business Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Management program. After acquring a solid academic basis in the first three semesters, students bring their knowledge to the work force and participate in a semester-long internship of their choice in the tourism industry.

Students have taken the opportunity to gain experience at far-flung locations such as the Hyatt on the Bund in Shanghai, Relais & Châteaux in New York, Sandals Resorts in the Carribean, or right here in Austria at 5-star hotels including the Intercontinental Vienna. Robert Wilfing, a member of the 2009 cohort, recently completed his internship at the Vienna office of Emirates Airlines:

''For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.“ There is probably no better way to describe my fascination with flying than using this quote by Leonardo da Vinci. My interest in the airline industry was crucial for starting my studies in Tourism and Hospitality Management. After getting inside knowledge in business administration and the tourism industry in general during my first three terms at Modul University Vienna, it was time to put theoretical knowledge into practice by completing an internship. Finding the right internship can be quite challenging and I was delighted when Emirates offered me a position in their sales department in Vienna. The Dubai-based airline is certainly among the most prestigious employers in the airline industry and their focus on continuously delivering outstanding quality enables their vast international growth. Emirates started scheduled flights from Dubai to Vienna back in 2004 and since March 2011 operates those flights on a double-daily basis.

Being part of the sales team was particularly exciting as I experienced how an international company manages and controls markets and how many factors have to be considered in order to adopt to changing market conditions. During four months I could explore all departments in the town office located in Palais Corso in Vienna’s first district and also spend time at the airport to get a clear picture of all fields of work that Emirates offers. My diversified tasks enabled me to work analytically, editorially and creatively. Right from the beginning I could take on responsibilities and managed certain tasks completely on my own.

Looking back, this internship definitely exceeded my expectations and I can recommend it to any student who wants to discover the airline industry and start a career with Emirates.''

Robert Wilfing in the cockpit of a Boeing 777