As a student, I worked in a hotel and a restaurant during the holidays. I got a taste of the hospitality industry very early on and knew that the hotel industry was a perfect fit for me.

After graduating from high school in 2006, I moved to Dresden and completed an apprenticeship as a “state-certified assistant for hotel management”. During my apprenticeship, I also had to complete internships – here I was able to gain my first experience with Accor – once at the Pullman in Dresden and a Mercure in Vienna, Austria.

After my apprenticeship, I wanted to go straight to the big city and in 2009 I worked as a receptionist at the ibis Berlin Mitte. I then went on to work as a reservations clerk and manager on duty at the ibis Berlin Ostbahnhof. Then I was able to help open the Business Development Unit (reservation center) in Berlin for the ibis family. Since I wanted to get to know another brand, I went to the Novotel Berlin Mitte as a reservations employee.

And then the opportunity came: I was able to take on my first leadership position at the ibis Berlin Ostbahnhof as a front office manager, later I became an assistant director in the same hotel and was also able to manage it on an interim basis. I have been General Manager at the ibis Berlin Mitte since September 2022.

What I love about working at Accor is the diversity. Both in terms of guests, colleagues and tasks. The hotel industry covers so many areas of responsibility and no two days are the same. I love that I learn something new every day – be it human, cultural or professional.

At Accor, the people are really the main focus, whether behind or in front of the desk. Motivation and innovation is key. We are invited to be proud of something, to be a part of something bigger than just a company. What I love about Accor are the values ​​and the opportunities you get.

If you love contact with people, want to get to know different cultures and want to be responsible for putting a smile on guests’ faces, the hotel industry is simply perfect. You can use your strengths in so many different departments. As a General Manager, I see my role to uplift and empower my staff. To listen attentively and surprise them with little things they never expected. As a Heartist® you are a servant leader. Only if my staff are happy and satisfied they can be exceptional Heartists® for our guests.

My current career highlight is that I am now able to renovate the hotel where my career began in Berlin with a personal touch in the public areas (bar, lobby, reception and breakfast room). I was able to learn new skills – I was suddenly an “architect, building planner, construction supervisor and designer, decorator”. I was able to live out my creative passion and am incredibly proud of the results. Also of the fact that Accor has put this trust in me.

If you are open and curious of knowing the behind the scenes of a hotel business. If you would like to be responsible to create magic moments and good feelings with guests and colleagues, you should enter the hospitality. If you would like to be seen and if you want to get ahead and further your education, you should enter the hospitality with Accor. So just be open and keen to learn new things.