Three stops, one region, many perspectives
18 months that open doors. To new experiences, greater responsibility and innovative projects. One shared goal lies behind it all: to show young talent the opportunities available in Upper Valais.
Andrea Matteo Imseng is the first participant in Career Starter Oberwallis. After six months with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, he is working at Lonza at the time of this interview. He will later move on to the Regions- und Wirtschaftszentrum Oberwallis. Along the way, he experiences different working environments and discovers the professional potential of his home region.
Many young people from Valais leave the canton to study or train elsewhere. Not all return. This is where Career Starter Oberwallis comes in. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, Lonza and the Regions- und Wirtschaftszentrum Oberwallis launched the joint project in autumn 2025 on the initiative of valais4you. The 18-month trainee programme helps university graduates enter the world of work, attracts qualified professionals to the region, retain them in the long term and showcases the breadth of its business landscape.
Andrea Matteo, from the Lötschental, chose this path deliberately. What appealed most was the chance to get to know three renowned organisations within 18 months. “This gives me insight into different fields and corporate cultures while allowing me to build a broad professional network in Upper Valais.”
Always facing something new
For Andrea Matteo, variety is one of the programme’s biggest draws. Public transport, life sciences and regional development could hardly be more different at first glance. That is exactly what makes it so valuable. He gets to know different structures, ways of working and teams while finding out where his strengths fit best.
His first placement was with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. In corporate development, he worked on strategic and organisational topics, gained project management experience and used AI agents with a team to generate ideas for new projects.
At Lonza, Andrea Matteo is mainly involved in MINTworld. There, he inspires children and young people to engage with mathematics, IT, natural sciences and technology, develops digital solutions and creates learning products. One project even led him and the team to explore a potential patent application. He particularly values the creative freedom and short decision-making paths. “Whether it’s 3D printing, plotting, laser cutting or programming: I can try out new technologies and introduce them to young people at the same time.”
Developing ideas and putting them into practice
This suits Andrea Matteo. After training as a mediamatics specialist and completing a vocational baccalaureate in business, he studied business administration. His broad skill set spans communication, design, content, web, media relations and project management. He describes himself as a creative all-rounder who thinks across disciplines, works in a structured way and takes responsibility. “What I enjoy most is combining the two. I like bringing in new ideas. It gets particularly exciting when they turn into a concrete solution.” That journey from idea to implementation motivates him.
His third and final placement will be at the Regions- und Wirtschaftszentrum Oberwallis. There, the focus shifts from one company to the development of an entire region. Andrea Matteo is particularly interested in how municipalities, businesses, policymakers and other institutions work together to turn different interests into concrete initiatives for Upper Valais.
A Career opportunities beyond the big city
During his training and studies outside the canton, Andrea Matteo came to appreciate his home region in a new way. Distances are shorter and relationships more personal. The trainee programme has also shown him how diverse and innovative the Upper Valais business landscape is. “The region offers far more career opportunities than is sometimes realised from the outside.”
In his view an interesting career is not necessarily tied to Zurich, Basel or another city. “Companies and organisations in Upper Valais also operate nationally and internationally.” In a smaller region, people often get the chance to take responsibility early, contribute ideas and see their impact more directly.
Coming back does not mean taking a step backwards
Andrea Matteo’s return to Valais also has personal reasons. His family, friends and club life are here. He also values the quality of life even more after his time elsewhere.
In the evening, he returns to the Lötschental, where he finds peace and the mountains right on his doorstep. “Especially during the hot summer months, I enjoy coming home after work, where it is cool, quiet and a very pleasant place to live.”
His ideal evening is simple. He heads outdoors with his dog, often a little higher towards the Lauchernalp, Weritzalp or Hockenalp. There he can relax and unwind. Later, he sometimes picks up his euphonium. Music is a welcome contrast to working life and closely linked to his local club.
Upper Valais also offers plenty of opportunities for activities and leisure. Hiking, skiing, cross-country skiing, biking and swimming are all close at hand. The mix of career chances, nature and quality of life makes it a place where he can imagine to live and work long term.
A career start with an open future
For Andrea Matteo, Career Starter Oberwallis is far more than a trainee programme. The 18 months give him space to try things out and define his professional direction more clearly. For the 29-year-old, that is precisely the strength of the model. “The programme is not only an entry point into working life, but also a chance to explore the professional opportunities in Upper Valais from different perspectives and play an active part in shaping once own future.”
Where Andrea Matteo Imseng will end up after the 18 months is still open at the time of this interview. Perhaps that is part of the appeal. Career Starter Oberwallis does not dictate what comes next. Instead, it shows him how many paths can begin right on his doorstep.
My advice to young professionals: stay curious, take responsibility and discover what our region has to offer.
"Through Career Starter Oberwallis, we give young talent a hands-on start to their careers and show them the opportunities available in Upper Valais. Participants get to know three different companies and sectors, broaden their skills, build a valuable network and gain practical experience. As a company, we get new ideas, valuable input for innovation and access to qualified young professionals. My advice: stay curious, take responsibility and discover what our region has to offer.”
Egon Gsponer, CEO Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
