EHL Course Catalogue 2011-2012 - Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne

empowerment. Topics are explored through a combination of lectures, case studies, selfassessments
and practical exercises.
CONTINUOUS STREAMS
Personal & Professional Development Project
60 hours of contact – 3 semester credits
� Summary
The PPD stream runs throughout the program and serves as a vehicle for developing the soft skills
and competencies that are expected of leaders within the industry. While the MHA program as a
whole represents a journey of learning, the PPD focuses on the development of professionalism and
on personal growth: essential dimensions in a Master‟s year. Each student identifies areas for
development, and then tracks the growth of these competencies over the year.
Effective communication, both written and spoken, is essential throughout graduate study and a
foundation for professional life. The course begins with an identification of learning styles, as the
incoming graduates adjust to the new inter-cultural, reflective, challenging learning environment.
The course helps in developing communicative confidence, business writing skills, academic
standards and critical thinking. The approach encouraged is one of self-awareness, engagement and
on-going reflection.
In this way, the foundation is laid for that process of life-long learning on which promotion to senior
positions, and indeed personal fulfilment, will depend. The course is highly individualized; each
student has a faculty mentor for help and personal guidance in realizing their intended professional
and personal goals. Students create a Career Portfolio which is both a record of learning experience
and an in-depth reflection backed up by research, theory, and input from industry professionals.
Final student presentations are made before a jury of external examiners.
Career Workshops
In parallel with the PPD stream, career workshops serve to develop students‟ professional
approaches in terms of job hunting and managing their future career paths. Students are equipped
with the skills necessary for a focused job search and for performing during interviews. Workshops
additionally serve as a means to inspire students with a professional and proactive approach within
their work environment and to help them manage their career paths on graduation.
Strategic Investments
90 hours of contact – 6 semester credits
� Summary
Students will learn to develop a value-adding perspective to the process of strategic management.
The framework of analysis will enable students to analyze organizations, marshal evidence to
support conclusions drawn from the analysis, and engage in problem solving in all areas of strategic
management. Specifically, the principle of co-alignment will be utilized; students will assess the
strategy of a hospitality company through its strategic investments, core competencies, resource
allocation, competitive methods and environmental analysis.
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