Alexandra Starke – from IMC Krems to New York City

The Upper Austrian combines tourism expertise, international experience and diplomatic insights – showing just how global the career paths of IMC graduates can be.

During her studies, Alexandra gained valuable practical experience and built an international profile. A semester at Florida State University laid the foundation for her career in the USA. This was followed by an internship at the Austrian National Tourist Office in New York, a role as a social media student assistant, and work in student counselling at IMC Krems. Today, she applies her skills in a diplomatic environment: as an Administrative Assistant at the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations (UN) in New York.

Internationality and the IMC Community

Alexandra’s journey demonstrates the importance of international experience, practical relevance and global networking at IMC Krems. Through her involvement in university communications and student counselling, she remained closely connected to the community and contributed to the visibility of the campus.

With her interest in global tourism management, her passion for international cooperation and her experience in a diplomatic setting, Alexandra impressively shows how diverse the career opportunities after studying at IMC Krems can be.

We asked Alexandra about her experiences at IMC Krems and how they influenced her impressive career start:

You moved to New York right after completing your degree and now work at the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations. What does this international career start mean to you – and which experiences from your IMC studies have helped you the most?

After my internship in New York City, I knew immediately that I definitely wanted to return after finishing my degree. I didn’t yet know exactly which field I could work in or where I might find a position – but I was certain that I wanted to return to New York. Since securing a full-time job in the USA, including a visa, is more difficult than obtaining an internship, I appreciate this opportunity even more. I am incredibly grateful that everything worked out straight after my bachelor degree programme and that I was able to fulfil such a major dream.

Through various courses at IMC Krems in which we repeatedly referred to the United Nations, especially the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), it was particularly exciting to now work in this international and diverse field. In addition, during my studies at IMC Krems, at Florida State University and during my internship in New York, I built an excellent international network, which was extremely important for this next step.

The move was quite a big one in a very short time: bachelor exam, graduation ceremony and relocation to New York, all within three weeks. At the same time, my studies prepared me extremely well, as I had the chance to live in two different places during my second year. Most importantly, my English improved so much during this time that I now feel confident and self-assured in an international working environment. And sometimes I can hardly believe what I get to experience: getting off at Grand Central in the morning, heading to the office in the heart of Manhattan and rediscovering New York every single day. A personal highlight was definitely the UN General Assembly, which I was able to help plan and attend right at the beginning – including meeting the Austrian Federal President.

During your studies you worked as a student assistant in the social media team and in student counselling at IMC Krems. What insights into university communications and student support did you gain from that time?

My work in the social media team and in student counselling during my studies was a great experience and extremely valuable for my final year. It offered an important balance to my bachelor thesis and contributed greatly to my personal and professional development. Regular exchanges with prospective students, giving presentations or speaking in front of the camera significantly strengthened my confidence – especially with regard to my bachelor exam and later job interviews. I also really enjoyed sharing my passion and experiences with others and being part of a wonderful team. It felt good to give something back to IMC Krems – for everything it had enabled me to do.

Looking back over the last three years, I learned and experienced so much. I gained insights into various areas such as hospitality management, destination consulting and event planning, enjoyed an amazing semester abroad at Florida State University, got my first taste of the city that never sleeps, and worked in my favourite field, destination marketing, at Austria Tourism.

Your semester abroad at Florida State University and your internship at the Austrian National Tourist Office in New York were key milestones on your journey. What tips do you have for students who also aspire to an international career?

The final year of studies can often be challenging, especially after spending a whole year abroad and dealing with reverse culture shock, exam stress and the bachelor thesis while trying to figure out what comes next. In my fifth semester, this thought often stressed me, and, to be honest, my bachelor thesis on “Living in the Present Moment” was extremely helpful, as it made it much easier to enjoy my final study year and let things come to me without constantly worrying about the future.

I believe the opportunity to complete an internship during your studies is incredibly valuable. It opens many doors – especially if you aim for an international career. You build contacts, improve your language skills, lay an important foundation for your future career or perhaps realise that a certain field isn’t the right fit after all. In my case, my internship directly led to my current position. The experience of having already lived and worked in the USA was a decisive advantage during the application process.

The most important thing for me was always to stay open to different possibilities – and to believe in myself and my goals. I truly encourage all students to take the step and complete a semester or internship abroad. It may be challenging at first, but exactly these experiences open doors you didn’t even know existed. You grow so much beyond yourself, and often this courage takes you much further than you ever imagined.

I am endlessly grateful for my time at IMC Krems, as I couldn’t have wished for a better university. I am especially grateful for the people I met, the friendships that formed, and the countless experiences and moments I was able to collect. A truly unforgettable time! One of my personal highlights was the graduation ceremony in July – a beautiful and emotional finale shared with family, friends and our lecturers.

Tourism and Leisure Management