At IMI, academic learning is directly linked to practical experience. We provide personalised career support to secure a 22-week paid internship placement as part of each academic year for diploma, undergraduate, and master’s students. By the time you complete your studies, you will have accumulated up to 12 months of relevant work experience, offering a significant advantage in the job market.
Internships are integrated into our curriculum. During your academic semester, IMI’s Career & Internship Office works closely with you to secure a placement that matches your interests and goals. Whether you dream of working front office in a five-star hotel in Zurich, doing marketing for a resort in Dubai, or honing culinary skills in a Michelin-starred kitchen in Asia – we have the connections to make it happen.
Our students intern across Switzerland and around the world. Past internship destinations include luxury hotels like Marriott in London, Hilton in Geneva, Hyatt in Singapore, boutique hotels in New York, cruise lines like Viking Cruises, and fine dining restaurants in Paris, to name a few.
All internships are paid positions, offering at least the legal minimum stipend or higher depending on the country. Each student is assigned a supervisor or mentor at the host company to support their development. These are not casual jobs but structured learning experiences where you may rotate through departments or take on real responsibilities as an emerging professional.
IMI’s reputation in the industry opens doors for our students. We have forged strong partnerships with leading hospitality companies and brands worldwide. These partners not only provide internships but also regularly recruit our graduates for full-time roles.
We collaborate with a range of international schools and colleges through formal partnership agreements. Students from selected hospitality schools or polytechnics can continue their studies at IMI and receive credit for the courses they have already completed, based on agreed curriculum mapping.
IMI alumni can be found in senior positions across the globe – they are general managers of hotels, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and innovators. Here are just a few examples of how our graduates have translated their IMI experience into successful careers.
Jurate (Lithuania) went on to become a Learning & Quality Manager at a luxury hotel in Dubai, helping train staff across the region – a role she landed after impressing her internship supervisors and through an IMI alumni referral.
Naci (Turkey) climbed the ranks to become Executive Assistant Manager for F&B at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski. He often credits IMI for instilling the work ethic and global mindset needed to manage large teams.
Emi (Japan) co-founded a specialty coffee shop in Zürich which won international awards. She attributes her entrepreneurial spirit to IMI’s supportive environment for student ideas.
If you represent a company, hotel, educational institution, or agency and are interested in partnering with IMI, we would love to hear from you. We offer various collaboration models – from internship & recruitment partnerships to joint programmes and beyond.
