Aurélia Guillot, PR & Media Manager, Montreux-Vevey Tourism & Convention Bureau

In order to help current students and recent graduates to find their way in the working world, many of our alumni shared their career story. Here the story of Aurélia Guillot, PR & Media Manager at Montreux-Vevey Tourism & Convention Bureau in Montreux (CH). USI Degree: Master in International Tourism, 2018.

How did you start your career?

I was lucky enough to see a job offer for the current position I have and get the job the day after my interview. I was very happy since being a PR & Media Manager in a regional DMO is the perfect job to link my fields of studies: media, communications and tourism.

Why did you choose a career in Montreux-Vevey Tourism & Convention Bureau?

I wanted to work in the tourism field and I felt that Montreux Riviera was a great and exciting destination: it encompasses a UNESCO World Heritage site with the vineyards of Lavaux, lake attractions as much as mountain experiences, history, key places of tourism such as Chillon Castle, Vevey and Montreux have both much to offer and much events there are internationally renowned (Montreux Jazz Festival, Fête des Vignerons, Festival Images,...). Well in short, I was sure that the job would be very exciting and offer several interesting opportunities.

What is your current role/duties?

My major mission is to make sure that Montreux Riviera is promoted in the best way possible in the media around the world. Each year, we organise and receive hundreds of media trips and filmings and meet about 600 media representatives in the destination. It is my role to manage their visit- before, during and after - so that they get the best experience there, which must be in line with the media they represent and they work for. This can make a great difference in the publications/outcomes. Apart from that, the other tasks are related to content questions, coordination with regional partners, press review, communication (press releases, etc.).

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in Montreux-Vevey Tourism & Convention Bureau?

You need to be very well organised as you are dealing every day with tons of details. Therefore, being meticulous and thorough is important. Of course, you must be social and not afraid of meeting people you don't know, and ideally speak several languages (English most importantly) as media representative come from the whole world. Being curious and proactive are also great qualities.

What are USI’s positive features and qualities?

• The size of the university, which allows to work in smaller groups, to be more engaged in projects and in better contact with professors and other students;
• Its international status, community and atmosphere;
• The Master programs that are very well done and interesting;
• The opportunities it offers to link the studies with practice and concrete projects.

What competences and/or skills acquired in your USI Study Program have been useful/are useful to your professional career?

More than anything, I learned to speak in public and feel comfortable with that as we had many projects to present in class. It also gave me great insights on real aspects about the tourism field, for instance during the weekend in Venice or the study tour. Meeting people from the branch is very interesting and essential in order to understand how things work. Finally, it gave me a full and comprehensive education on the tourism field as a whole.

What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?

• Find an internship that matches with their interests and wishes for the future, if possible;
• Take the advantage of writing the Master thesis about a concrete subject and, if possible, doing it in collaboration with a company so that the work remains down-to-earth and useful for the real world;
• Have some mentors or try to get in contact with people from the field that can give useful advice and maybe introduce them to other people, as it is highly necessary in the professional world;
• Show their motivation, be positive and authentic when applying to some job positions.