Success has many faces. Here we take a closer look and highlight what drives different people at the University of St.Gallen (HSG). Clara chose the University of St.Gallen because of its clear business focus. But her studies, which had a significant international dimension, also presented her with situations characterised by great uncertainty. In this interview, she describes how she managed to turn that uncertainty into opportunities and ultimately success. 

Who are you, what do you do and where are you currently?
I am Clara, alumna from the University of St.Gallen, where I studied Business Administration for my Bachelor’s degree. I work in the banking sector in Zurich and three years ago I founded Women With Impact, a platform showcasing the power of women’s actions in shaping a better world. As the founder, my aim is to make women and their achievements more visible in society – which is also the focus of many of my speaking engagements and panel discussions that I moderate. Since 2023, I have been a World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shaper, leading high-impact projects which are close to my heart. I recently became a board member of the HSG Alumni Women’s Club, with the mission of developing and strengthening our community of 10,000 alumni. 

What drives you and what do you want to achieve in life?
I see myself as an individual with a strong entrepreneurial and execution-driven mindset who wants to make change happen. I have diverse interests, and I think that’s the true beauty of life: being able to engage in multiple topics that are close to your heart. For me, that translates into bringing the perspectives of the next generation into organisations and making women and their achievements more visible in society.  

What kind of people and perspectives have you encountered here?
The University of St.Gallen is a place where you encounter broad diversity. I remember fellow students who knew from day one where they saw themselves in five, 10, 20 years. And there were peers who did not know where their journey would take them. The university is a great place for exploration and your studies are a period in which you can pursue different interests at the same time. You learn different viewpoints on life, on the economy, on how businesses should (or should not) be run. What I learned from my time in St. Gallen is that there are numerous ways you can shape your studies, your career, and ultimately, your life. The most important takeaway for me in this regard is that whatever choice you make, it truly needs to correlate with your own values. 

How has “From insight to impact” become reality for you?  
I experienced “From insight to impact” in many instances. The high-quality formal studies enabled me to deeply engage with the subject matter at hand, to think critically, and to consider how to apply it all to business decisions or situations that might arise. The insights you receive each semester, and the way you integrate them, are key for Switzerland as a competitive business location, Europe at large, and internationally. It is only when we as students and alumni apply the knowledge we learn that we can manage and lead organisations that make our economies strong and that solve the world’s most pressing problems. The real impact occurs when you have the courage to start.  

Why did you choose HSG?
I chose the University of St.Gallen for my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration because of the promising study programme. What particularly appealed to me was the freedom to take elective courses and pursue my interests in the context of formal studies. Another reason was that the university is one of the leading business schools worldwide, and it was so close to home. I opted for the English track because of my international background and the desire to study with fellow students from other regions. The English track also has a somewhat smaller student body, which made my choice easier. 

How has your view of the university and your studies changed? 
My perception of the University of St.Gallen has not changed much when I compare my view before I started my studies with where I stand now. I always knew that it would provide me with a solid business foundation as well as understanding of the economy. I am very happy that I chose St.Gallen for my studies and grateful for the people I got to meet. It’s fantastic to see that wherever you are in life, whatever company you might work for, you will often encounter and potentially work with alumni – especially in the Swiss ecosystem. 

How did you feel when you decided to study here?
During my studies, I found my professors to be very forthcoming – whenever I had questions or uncertainties about the materials at hand, they would be happy to offer support and share further insights from their expertise. 

There were times during my studies in St.Gallen when I was not sure what my next study steps would entail. In those situations, in particular, I would go to the university’s Career Services, which helped me immensely in my decision-making process. For instance, I was not sure whether I should take a gap year between my Bachelor’s and my Master’s degree, something many people did back when I was studying. Beyond that, I had a consultation with Career Services once I received study offers for Master’s programmes abroad, different courses in different cities and countries. I remember finding it incredibly difficult to choose that next step. To this day, I am very grateful for the help in making that choice that I received from the professionals at Career Services. They provided clarity in particular areas, and together we worked out what’s best for me, based on my values and what I saw for my future.   

Who would you recommend this programme to and why? 
I would recommend studying at the University of St.Gallen to anyone who is eager to learn the foundations of business and economics. You get high-quality teaching, you go in depth into theories, and you see the applicability of those theories in practice. Beyond the set curriculum, you have an opportunity for individual specialisation through elective courses.  

Even if your goal isn’t to work in a business or corporate environment later on, I believe that what you learn in St.Gallen provides you with a basic understanding for many things in life: how interest rates work, how the Swiss political system is set up, what Swiss and international law entails, how organisations are led and the ethical practices you need to consider. In some courses you are grouped with other students to solve cases studies and write academic papers together, which is so important for learning team dynamics and helping you navigate situations later in your career. 

After the first year, known as the “Assessment Year”, you have the flexibility to arrange your studies how you like. For example, if you want you can work part-time alongside your studies to gain practical experience, as you have the freedom to choose how many credits you want to take per semester. 

There are abundant opportunities at the university, like studying abroad for one or two semesters, thanks to a large partner university network. For instance, I had the opportunity of studying in Sydney, Australia for half a year which allowed me to experience other approaches to studying, learn about doing business in other cultural settings, and expand my global network. 

The University of St.Gallen is very well connected with the business world; there are companies on campus for several days a year, conducting workshops with students. You might get to know your first employer – through an internship or trainee programme, for instance.  

The University of St.Gallen puts a lot of focus on extra-curricular activities, and there are numerous associations you can get involved with to balance your studies with any interests you might have – sports, music, consulting and investment clubs, social engagements. I really think that there is something for everyone, and that essentially makes your study experience truly unique.   

What was your experience of studying at the HSG as a woman?
When I was studying at the University of St.Gallen, I realised that the great majority of students were men. I remember vividly at my graduation when students went up to accept their diplomas, there were very few women walking to the stage. Thankfully, there has been progress in interest among women for business and economics-related studies and greater overall female representation at the university. However, we still have a long way to go until we reach equal representation. 

I believe deeply that by creating spaces of true belonging, you can make underrepresented groups visible. And by making them visible, you can create genuine societal progress. That’s where my platform Women With Impact comes in; the more visible women and their achievements are to others, the more opportunities they receive, the more they can take an active part in our economy and the business world.  

What’s your experience of the community for women at HSG? 
I know that there are programmes and networks targeted specifically at women at the University of St.Gallen. I don’t think I was involved in any of them, but what really helped me during my studies was my active contribution to associations. One of them was PIECES, whose mission was making a lasting impact for partner communities around the world by providing generations of children with English skills.

Another was the “Cercle des Francophones”, the French-speaking student association, which was largely made up of students from French-speaking Switzerland and France, as well as others who spoke French and had an affinity with it.

I also got to take part in a cultural exchange programme with Ressort International along with 20 like-minded peers who wanted to explore China and learn the rich history and culture of the country. All these experiences provided me with a sense of belonging throughout my studies which truly enriched my time in St.Gallen.  

What insights have you gained for your life? 
First, there is no one way to do things in life. Studies and career paths can be very different, so the one path that everyone else is taking might not be the right one for you. Acknowledge your personal values and make your choices accordingly. 

Second, you can learn from every experience. Perhaps you didn’t pass an exam when you thought you would. There is always a way out, and the next time you might do things differently. For each experience – good or bad – you can ask yourself what it taught you and/or what it tells you about certain truths you hold about yourself.  

And lastly, I believe extra-curricular commitments are really crucial as a balance for your studies, and later in the working world. I am grateful to have had such extensive exposure during my time at the University of St.Gallen, and that I continue to do so now.

How have your studies changed you? 
My time at the University of St.Gallen taught me that my studies and my career are entirely what I make of them – they are in my hands. Of course it takes a lot of responsibility, and in my eyes that’s truly the beauty of it.  

Studying at St.Gallen also taught me that learning and research are not finite. You learn theories, from case studies and many other things, however that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to the major and specialisation you choose. Often the “aha” moments only come later, when you might be working in a company or institution and make your own link to the theories you learned during your studies. 

How have your studies inspired you to become an entrepreneur?  
When it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship, the University of St.Gallen has a lot to offer, for instance there is an entire Master’s degree dedicated to business innovation, as well as elective courses focusing on things like driving societal change as an entrepreneur. I remember attending the START Summit – Europe’s largest early-stage startup event, organised by students from the University – and being absolutely fascinated by the drive of the founders I met, in the energy they brought to pursuing their ideas and making them a reality.

What that meant for me personally was that I wanted to be active in an entrepreneurial ecosystem myself. I joined a tech start-up founded by a couple of students shortly after that, and I got to see firsthand what it takes to establish a new venture. For my Master’s degree, I went even further into the entrepreneurship arena and fast forwarding to now, I hold on to this mindset with my own endeavours, such as my initiative, Women With Impact. 

How do you see the future and your next career steps?  
I am optimistic about the future, despite societal divides and the economic challenges we are facing right now. We have to remind ourselves of our economic potential in Switzerland and Europe, with our vast knowledge across industries. We have countries with different strengths, and I am optimistic that through cross-border collaboration and support for each other’s innovative companies we can master any crisis. 

For my personal aspirations, I hope to keep growing Women With Impact and reach more people with the stories of incredible women and their achievements. My goal is also to continue spending time on impactful projects within the Global Shaper Community of the World Economic Forum and to help boost our HSG Alumni community.  

What advice would you give prospective students? 
My advice to anyone considering studying at the University of St.Gallen is to do it, make the choice, make it your reality. And once you’re there: be curious, be open to new things, and have the courage to walk your own path.