Discover the MA in Strategy and International Management (SIM) experience at the University of St.Gallen. Learn how the program is helping its graduates to expand their horizons and unlock their personal purpose in order to achieve fulfilling, impactful careers.
In today’s world, recent graduates who are entering the workforce are looking for careers that align with their personal purpose. Young professionals are seeking meaningful and fulfilling work that positively impacts the world.
Gen-Z workers, born between 1997 and 2012, emphasize finding meaning and fulfillment in their professional lives. Previous generations placed greater focus on career stability and high salaries. However, there has been a significant shift in recent years regarding what workers look for in their careers.
Finding meaning and purpose in work fundamentally involves a journey of self-discovery. The Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM) program at the University of St.Gallen offers its students the chance to do precisely that. The program focuses significantly on personal growth and professional development. The SIM program is more than an academic journey; it’s a step towards becoming a responsible global leader in an increasingly digitalized and interconnected world.
Bernd Wanderer, a SIM student from Austria, is part of the program’s twentieth cohort. He explains, “Reflecting about one’s personality and your own character is extremely important, and I think that the SIM, personally for me as a human being, is an amazing chance to do exactly that.” (00:01)
The SIM program centers on helping students find their life compass. It strongly focuses on peer learning, collaboration, and broadening students’ minds through international perspectives. The SIM program seeks to create self-reflective and ambitious individuals who are creative problem-solvers, responsible leaders, and truly global citizens.
The SIM program at the University of St.Gallen distinguishes itself through its unique and multi-layered approach to education. The program combines an academically rigorous MA program with practical application to offer stellar management education. Students are encouraged to actively define and shape their own career goals.
Bernd highlights, “I definitely agree that it’s more and more about finding your personal purpose and what actually drives you as a human being, what is important to you, what your values are, and what you want to stand for. And I think that the SIM program is actually the best opportunity in the world to find exactly that purpose.” (00:31)
The program includes skill training, workshops, personal career coaching, and career events. In addition, current students often find internships and job opportunities through the extensive SIM Program and the University of St.Gallen network.
Graduates pursue careers in diverse fields, including management, consulting, financial services, and entrepreneurship.
The program’s holistic educational approach ensures graduates are ready to pursue successful and impactful careers.
One of the hallmarks of the SIM program is its focus on international perspectives and its cohort diversity.
Bernd notes, “What I’ve learned in the conversations and interactions with people from all over the world from different fields…is that there is so much more out there.” (01:32)
This international scope offers students enriching cultural insights into global business practices. With a vibrant mix of students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, the program fosters an environment where global perspectives are interwoven in every aspect of the student experience. This international immersion challenges students to expand their horizons and explore new avenues of thought.
Bernd explains, “I’m extremely confident that the SIM program will definitely open up my world in so many different ways. I think that’s especially due to the multicultural environment in which you’re moving. With all those students from different nationalities, different backgrounds, with so many different experiences… It enables me to look beyond maybe what I know so far and explore new worlds in a way.” (01:58)
In addition, the program aims to foster a supportive environment where students can build lifelong connections and be part of a diverse community.
In St.Gallen’s SIM program, community is a cornerstone of the student experience. Bernd explains how the program fosters genuine connections between peers, staff members, faculty, and graduates, creating a truly inclusive and interconnected community.
“I think that here, the community really supports you in that. You can talk to so many people with different backgrounds.” (01:43)
These connections offer invaluable mentorship, peer learning, career advice, and personal and professional growth opportunities.
The SIM program at St.Gallen offers several unique initiatives that enhance this sense of community. Students have ample opportunities to engage in networking activities and community-building events. For example, new students are paired with a current student, a “SIM Buddy,” who helps them navigate student life. The SIMopoly icebreaker event includes a treasure hunt through the city of St.Gallen for new students, and the annual SIM Community Event offers an excellent opportunity for students, staff, faculty, and graduates to network and make new connections.
These events offer students plenty of opportunities for networking and peer bonding throughout the academic year.
The SIM program is a platform for embracing new challenges and seizing opportunities. The program encourages students to step beyond their comfort zones to find their deeper personal purpose within their career journey.
Bernd looks forward to applying everything he is learning in the SIM program in his future career. He reflects, “I want to leverage my SIM journey and the SIM experience in order to find exactly that purpose and build on the experience that I gained here. And eventually, find exactly the niche or the job where I can develop as a person and bloom in a way.” (00:57)
SIM students graduate from the program having mastered the self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, and adaptability required for long-term success in an ever-changing global landscape.
Discover more about the University of St.Gallen via their school profile page.
