Anyone who has ever felt torn between making an impact and making money should join the triple crown-accredited University of St.Gallen. Here, there is no such trade-off. Taking place on the foothills of the Swiss Alps, its Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM) programme sets graduates up for careers that balance profit with purpose and positive change.
This combination of drive and empathy is in hot demand today. Consulting giants like Boston Consulting Group and Deloitte, tech leaders like Google and Microsoft, and multinational corporations like Nestlé and Unilever have all employed SIMmies. It’s little wonder why the programme, which was established in 2004, has been #1 in the Financial Times’ Global Masters in Management Ranking for 12 straight years and again in 2024.
From SIM student to digital director
Amparo García Fernández from Salamanca, Spain, was drawn to the SIM programme for its focus on sustainable, fair, and ethical leadership. Its reputation and lineup of courses sealed the deal. “I knew they would develop a well-rounded management profile,” she says. “I was drawn to the balanced mix of management classes, from those focusing on ‘soft skills’ like strategic leadership to more ‘hard skills’ such as financial and strategic management.”
Amparo’s favourite course was Strategic Management with Professor Dr. Dr. Tomi Laamanen, who is now the programme’s Academic Director. Source: University of St.Gallen
Coursework modules gave Amparo the practical tools and frameworks to structure her thoughts, present with confidence, and communicate effectively. However, it was practical lessons that transformed her. Joining the SIMagination Challenge course meant applying knowledge in Peru.
“Spending time with the local community to bring our social project to life was an incredibly challenging and transformative experience that has undoubtedly shaped who I am today,” says the graduate. “The entire SIM experience not only reinforced my strong values and ethics but also shaped me into a more strategic and ethical leader. This purpose-driven approach has been a guiding force in both my professional and personal life.”
Upon graduating, Amparo resumed her career journey with a consulting role at Bain & Company in Zurich, where she honed her skills in the telecommunications sector. Her passion for the industry led her to move to the client side with Sunrise in Zurich, where she took on various roles within Marketing & Sales. This path ultimately led her to her current role as Digital Director at Salt, where she enjoys the challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving telecom industry. Beyond her role at Salt, she’s ventured into the fitness industry, where she uses her management expertise to run multiple small businesses.
It’s common for graduates to make bold moves when support is always just a couple of clicks away. “The WhatsApp chat for Zurich-based SIMmies, as well as similar groups in other cities, has become a trusted space where we freely exchange advice on a wide range of topics, far beyond just career matters,” shares Amparo. “Some members of this community have become close friends, with our children even forming friendships.”
Amparo’s favourite course was Strategic Management with Professor Dr. Dr. Tomi Laamanen, who is now the programme’s Academic Director. Source: University of St.Gallen
Where interns evolve into decision-makers
Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, Alberta Lowe’s career journey began at Unilever’s sales and marketing department. While she felt fulfilled, she couldn’t shake her dream to pursue a postgraduate degree. When she came across the SIM programme, she knew it was too good to pass up. The University of St.Gallen’s beautiful location and practical approach aligned with her interests and goals. Its small classrooms opened her world to new friends and new ideas.
“In a class of only 50 people, we got to know each other well and take inspiration from each other,” shares Alberta. “Most importantly, I was inspired by friends passionate about sustainability — something I wasn’t exposed to much before joining the SIM programme.”
She got to explore this new passion in various settings, thanks to the programme’s global focus. Alberta ended up completing three internships during her studies. Her first was with an online furniture startup in Berlin, which gave her firsthand exposure to the highs and lows of startup life. Her next internship took her to Roche in Switzerland, where she joined the strategy and competitiveness team for the Diagnostic division. Finally, Alberta completed a three-month internship at BCG in Dubai where she fell in love with management consulting.
So, after graduating, she spent two and a half years at BCG in Dubai before moving to its New York office. After four years in management consulting, Alberta swapped it for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC, where she focuses on equity investments in Africa. The SIM programme’s focus on sustainability and ethical decision-making deeply sways her approach to her work.
“I’m most proud of myself when I can contribute something positive to the community, be it generating a strategy for national healthcare delivery or pushing for an investment in a solar panel company in Africa,” Alberta explains. “When I see that my work has a real, positive impact on people’s lives, it gives purpose and meaning to my career and provides a sense of fulfilment that goes beyond professional success.”
For Kacper Staroszcyk, the SIM programme’s greatest takeaway was the community of students and graduates. Source: University of St.Gallen
Kacper Staroszcyk
As a graduate at Goldman Sachs, Kacper Staroszcyk knew of SIM and St.Gallen’s reputation, which the Polish described as “impeccable” and “fantastic,” respectively. Upon joining, as a student, he understood the why behind this global standing. Class sizes were small, around 50 students. Kacper didn’t feel like another number in a “graduate factory” which he’s heard can happen at other top universities. Projects like the SIMagination Challenge let him work with a local community in Kimilili, Kenya. He helped them become more self-sufficient by building a greenhouse that can grow essential vegetables, “It’s not just job-focused but aims to shape students’ worldviews,” he says.
It was an eye-opening experience for Kacper. He saw the challenges of meaningful change. Returning home, he better appreciated his everyday privileges in Europe. But the biggest gain to his career and life was his sharpened cross-culture competence. Although he had lived in Singapore and Canada before, it was the SIM programme’s projects and diverse cohort that gave him a better lens to view the world. “We worked on projects that often involved navigating regional or cultural differences, and that helped me a lot in my international career,” he says.
Today, Kacper is part of the Strategy and M&A team at Avaloq, a software and service provider for the financial industry, with a focus on wealth management. As his team defines the company’s overall strategy and shapes its high-level operationalisation, Kacper works with Executive Board members, shareholders, and directors. It’s a step up the career ladder, with its fair share of challenges.
But Kacper wades through them with confidence, thanks to a lasting memory of the SIM programme’s “purpose-driven mindset” and “openness and kindness of his fellow students and graduates.” “Their willingness to share their experiences shaped my professional decisions more than anything,” he says. “It’s that sense of community and long-term friendships that continues to guide me.”
Follow the University of St.Gallen SIM programme on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube
