Burst the bubble – studying HR management at ISM

Makiese Allé is currently studying Human Resources Management & Digital Transformation at ISM in Hamburg. When she tells her fellow students or teaching staff about her professional experience and qualifications in the hotel and tourism industry, most are pretty surprised to say the least. From hotel specialist to HR manager – how does that fit together?

Why not? From hotel life to HR management

For Makiese, the dual study course was the ideal stepping stone for a career in hotel management. "A university degree in the industry opens up so many potential career options. But the training course also ensures you know what you're talking about, since working in the hotel industry demands a lot of commitment – making beds, polishing silverware, taking care of guests and learning from scratch how various departments interact." And this is where HR management definitely comes into play for Makiese. "The path into the human resources sector is not that unnatural for tourism and hotel professionals. The issue of general management plays a major role in both fields. Further, the two disciplines deal very intensively with structures, processes and cultures. I speak four languages and working in a hotel taught me that respect begins with the greeting. It's no different in the HR sector, especially since the rise of digital transformation and remote working means we'll undoubtedly have even more contact with international applicants in the future."

Master's program at ISM: International, practical and very personal

When choosing to study at ISM, the international orientation of the program, in particular, influenced her decision. As part of her Master's course, Makiese spends a semester abroad and has the chance to complete an international double degree. Makiese has not regretted her choice for a moment – and there are lots of reasons for this.

But Makiese also appreciates her tutors and the way they inspire and motivate the group as a whole. Human Resources Management & Digital Transformation are not just for business psychologists – this is something Makiese truly believes, and she wants to empower people to overcome expectations and patterns of thought. "It's important that we all get out of our own bubble more. This is achieved particularly well on our course, as we're a small group of students with a good mixture of characters. We're always discussing things and actually benefit a great deal from our differences. I feel completely at home here."

Encouraging greater diversity

Diversity plays a key role for Makiese, both professionally and in her personal life. Her mother and father come from the Ivory Coast and Angola respectively. Makiese grew up in Germany and for a long time had the feeling of living in two worlds. She had a eureka moment while completing her Bachelor's program, realizing that she could weave her cultural identity and academic training together. "I'd be delighted if more German students from different ethnic backgrounds were to participate in higher education, I'm happy to support this in any way possible."

Simone Gebel

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