MBA scholarship for Young Hotelier of the Year

Sebastian Ochs, Finance Futura at Le Meridian Vienna, won the prestigious Young Hotelier of the Year Award for 2012- and a full scholarship to MU’s Master of Business Administration to top off the honour. We asked him to share a little bit about himself to get to know this promising young holtelier.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and your main tasks at Le Meridien?

I started my career in hospitality with a three-years apprenticeship at the Brenner’s Parkhotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Germany. After this program I have seen all relevant hotel outlets and I specialized in the field of Finance and did a management trainee in Finance at THE SETAI, Miami Beach, USA. I returned back to Europe to the Netherlands and studied at the Hotelschool The Hague and graduated with a bachelor degree Business Administration in Hotel Management. After my studies I moved to Vienna and started at the Le Meridien Vienna as a Finance Futura. Finance Futura is Starwood’s Graduate Program and aims on the training of all required social and technical skills to be able to take over the role as Assistant Financial Controller after the completion of the program. Currently, I am mainly in charge for the Accounts Receivable related tasks. Other than that, I am working together with the Assistant Financial Controller to support in the Month End Closing process and with other projects.

How do you feel about being selected from the field of competitors to become the Young Hotelier of the Year?

I was quite surprised to be selected as the winner of our group. Unfortunately, I did not see all presentations but I have heard from different people that it has been a very tough decision. Of course, it is very positive to receive this feedback and to become the Young Hotelier of the Year.

What are you most excited about in attending MODUL University Vienna, or is there any particular part of the program that you are particularly interested in?

I am definitely excited about the MBA Program at the MODUL University Vienna. It will be a new and big challenge for me. I am planning to do the MBA next to my regular work and there is no doubt that this will challenge my timing. Overall, I think it is the right thing to do as the MBA Program will support me to further develop my personal and technical skills to achieve my future career goals. 

What are your future plans for your career after completing your degree?

With regards to my working experience I have been specialized in the field of Finance over the last years and I also target to achieve a managing position within this field.

MU looks forward to welcoming Sebastian this fall!