St.Gallen’s Industry Insights events offer students an in-depth look at key industries and prepare them for their careers. Christoph Heubeck, a St.Gallen alumnus, spoke to MBAGRADSCHOOLS about his decision to work with the University and his role in organizing Industry Insights.
After completing his MBA, Chris remained active within the University of St.Gallen’s alumni community. The MBA faculty have since invited him to lead the Industry Insights events. Up until this point, corporate partners led the events, but Chris was able to make them more relatable. He was already connecting students to the consulting industry so this was a natural next step. (02:09)
Learning from industry leaders expands the learning experience for MBA students, providing them with valuable insights and practical career knowledge. By engaging with experienced professionals, students gain a deeper understanding of market trends and challenges. This helps them make informed decisions and contribute effectively in their chosen fields.
Chris has a lot of insights to share. During and after his Part-time MBA, he worked at KPMG. Then he moved to Boston Consulting Group, and he is now at UBS in Zurich, as a Strategy Manager.
Chris’ involvement marked a transformation in St.Gallen’s Industry Insights events. “They wanted to switch up the mode a bit from it being quite understandably a bit of a corporate show to more of a safe space for students where they can ask a fellow alum how it really is to work in the industry.” (02:14)
With firsthand experience in the MBA program, Chris knows the position the students are in and what they’re looking for. Therefore, he can contribute tangible, relevant, and actionable insights rather than a generic overview.
In his first St.Gallen Industry Insights event, Chris had half a day to structure a new module. He organized a three-part session providing students with an in-depth look into the consulting industry and practical information on entering it. As Chris explains, “Rather than recruit people right away, I gave them a real insight of what it is to work in consulting.” (02:32)
The first part of the module focused on understanding the consulting industry, targeted at students unfamiliar with the field. The second part delved into the application process, offering guidance on interviewing and practicing case studies. The final part of the module was a panel discussion. Chris invited his former colleagues from the consulting industry to share their experiences and answer questions.
This interactive and engaging approach turned the forum into a two-way street. Not only do students get a variety of perspectives, but they can ask questions that are most relevant to them.
Since Chris graduated from the St.Gallen MBA program in 2016, the business landscape has evolved significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up more remote working styles, but Zurich’s business landscape has also developed. Chris notes, “It has gotten a lot more international with the likes of Google coming here and AWS establishing bigger offices.” (05:49)
This insider knowledge is invaluable for students considering their post-MBA options. Chris’ insights provide a clear view of the wider trends and shifts happening within the industry. For example, foreign students who haven’t mastered German now know they have a range of international options in Zurich. This broader understanding could be a deciding factor in their career choices after completing the MBA program.
The University of St.Gallen is proud of its global alumni community and has launched a variety of initiatives to expand it.
Together with other alumni, Chris contributes to the growth and development of the St.Gallen MBA community. Their involvement fosters a supportive environment that benefits current students. The St.Gallen Industry Insights events provide students with valuable insights and connections to help them succeed in their post-MBA careers.
Chris’ involvement with the university grew as he participated in other events the institution hosted. He then naturally progressed to host the industry insights module. (07:00)
Chris believes in supporting current students and contributing to the alumni network. He considers it one of the most significant benefits of any MBA program. “For me, it’s important to give back to the MBA because it’s a lot of fun and the network is really the main benefit you draw from it.” (06:10)
Reflecting on his own MBA experience, Chris advises current students to take full advantage of the mentoring program and the alumni network, stating, “I wish I would have known how valuable the network really is for an MBA.” (07:22)
The St.Gallen alumni network is a treasure trove of mentors from all industries. With over 33,000 members, there is likely a role model out there for even the most unique career path. Recent graduates can be especially helpful, as they have a fresh memory of the most relevant career steps post-MBA.
The continued success of the alumni network is down to the people. To maintain it, Chris emphasizes the importance of participating in the MBA community and leveraging the connections students make. Offering advice for fellow MBA alumni, he says, “Feel free to actively participate in your community, but also across communities. Because the more participants are active, the stronger the network is.” (08:20)
Are you considering an MBA at St.Gallen? Reach out to graduates like Chris on the MBAGRADSCHOOLS Ambassador page. As students who have taken the path you’re considering, they are an unbeatable source of information for prospective students.
