Just graduated: Juliëtte van der Ham
[F 2026]

From Hotel Management School Maastricht to Hotel Real Estate

Juliëtte graduated from Hotel Management School Maastricht in March 2026, following the Hotel Management track. During her graduation internship, she worked within the Asset Management Team of Wasl Hospitality Group in Dubai, where her interest in hotel investments and real estate continued to grow.

Juliëtte expected that her first job would come through her professional network. After all, she had spent years building connections throughout her studies. However, things turned out differently. Shortly after graduating, she joined Cushman & Wakefield, one of the world’s leading real estate consultancies. There, she focuses on hotel valuations and operational real estate assets.

“Hotel valuations had been on my list of interesting career paths for quite some time. When I saw the vacancy, I simply applied, and things moved very quickly from there.”

That does not mean the process was easy. According to Juliëtte, competition within specialized roles is intense. Many candidates already have years of work experience or a master’s degree, making continuous self-development essential for standing out.
Although she has only recently started her career, she already sees how relevant her Hotelschool education is in practice. Hotel valuations are not only about real estate; they also require a deep understanding of hotel operations, financial performance, and market dynamics.

An international scholarship as a flying start

Alongside her studies, Juliëtte was actively involved in the Excellence Programme at Hotel Management School Maastricht. Through this experience, she became familiar with HSMAI, an international organization focused on commercial development within the hospitality industry. What started as an interest in the organization’s network and knowledge-sharing opportunities eventually turned into a remarkable opportunity.

Juliëtte was awarded an international scholarship by the Mike Dimond Foundation, a grant offered to young professionals worldwide who demonstrate a commitment to personal growth and contributing to the hospitality industry. Only a handful of scholarships were awarded globally, and Juliette was selected as one of the recipients.

“When I heard that I had won the scholarship, I thought it was incredibly exciting. It gave me the opportunity to immediately invest in my further development.”

Bridging hospitality and real estate

With the support of the scholarship, Juliëtte completed a specialized course in Hotel Asset Management at Cornell University. According to her, the program served as the perfect bridge between the hospitality knowledge she gained at Hotelschool Maastricht and the technical real estate environment in which she now works.

In addition, the scholarship included a year-long mentorship program with an international hospitality professional. The combination of advanced education and personal guidance gave her greater confidence as she began her professional career.

What do you take away from Hotel Management School Maastricht?

According to Juliëtte, one of the greatest strengths of Hotel Management School Maastricht is its ability to teach students to think beyond a single discipline. The combination of operational knowledge, financial insight, and commercial awareness plays a role in her work every day.
Her involvement in the Excellence Programme and HSMAI was equally influential. By actively participating in projects, networking opportunities, and extracurricular initiatives, she discovered which direction truly suited her interests and ambitions.

Advice for current students

Juliëtte has a clear message for current students: "Do not be afraid to explore opportunities beyond the traditional hospitality career path."

According to her, many opportunities arise simply by staying curious, meeting new people, and continuously investing in your own development. Whether through an internship, a professional association, a scholarship, or an additional course, these experiences often help shape your future career in unexpected ways.

Juliëtte’s story demonstrates that a career in hospitality can extend far beyond the walls of a hotel. Her journey from Dubai to hotel valuations in Amsterdam highlights how a hospitality background can open doors in a wide range of industries. Above all, her experience shows that investing in yourself, your network, and your professional development can create opportunities you may never have imagined at the start of your career.