Tisch Center graduate internship spotlight: Joelle Fuchs

Joelle Fuchs is a student in the MS Hospitality Industry Studies. This semester, she is interning at Selina: a lifestyle, travel and hospitality platform. Selina offers accommodations at the crossroads of a boutique hotel, co-living space and hostel, as well as co-working spaces, a wellness retreat and activity packages.

Where are you interning and what is your job title?    

I was hired as a Strategy / Corporate Development Intern at Selina. However, since things are moving so quickly at Selina, I am helping out with various different projects and teams and do not have a rigid job title.

What projects have you been working on so far?    

I started working with the Corporate Enterprise team. They are planning to launch a new product line under Selina and I have been working with various team members based in Tel Aviv, London, and Costa Rica to help amend the current business plan as well as refine a revenue model for this new product line, in time for a meeting with the CEO and investors. I have also spent the first few days delving into company decks to get a better understanding of growth plans, company structures as well as different business ideas that are currently in the pipeline.    

What do you enjoy most about your internship so far?       

I love the people and the environment in the office. Everyone has been extremely friendly and the overall vibe in the office is so hospitable and laid back. There are dogs running around and hammocks in the office which is just such a fun environment to work in! It is definitely a very startupy environment which enables you to freely talk to everyone. I’ve met so many interesting and driven people already who have offered help and guidance.   

Have there been any challenges in your internship thus far? If so, how have you learned to overcome them?          

Initially, there was more chaos than expected on my first day because the person I was supposed to work with wasn’t there. They apologized for the misunderstanding and I have embraced parts of the disorganization to startup hiccups. I was then assigned to work with another incredibly helpful person. Several colleagues have already assured me that since the company is in a hyper growth stage, disorganization is a natural given in this work environment. I have truly started to embrace this environment and see incredible advantages and benefits to such a fast changing and volatile workplace. Everyone is welcome to pitch in any ideas they have, and from what I have witnessed thus far, those are truly being valued and considered. I have felt extremely comfortable to voice ideas / concerns / strategies across different projects we have been working on and that is a truly great feeling of being valued as an employee here.      

What do you hope to take away from your internship?             

I want to get as much exposure to different teams and projects while at Selina as well as really get to know the people in the office -  it is an extremely great network to have in the hospitality/real estate industry, not only in the city, but globally! My goal is to find a team where I can add the most value and there is a true mutual fit, so I can ideally stay on once my internship ends in December.    

What are your future plans?                 

I graduate in December, so ideally, if Selina is a good fit, then I hope to stay here. Otherwise, I have truly found my passion to lie within innovative hospitality and real estate concepts, such as co-living or shared economy enterprises.