CHOOSE THE PROJECT FOR YOU!
The oikos conference is the oldest project from oikos St. Gallen. During two to three days the conference focusing on bringing sustainability to all students at the HSG, by organizing speeches, panel discussions and workshops. Each year another topic gets
chosen to be the focus, around which all program items are about.During the semester of preparation, the outline of the program, selection of speakers and organization of funds and marketing are the daily work of the conference team.
For the Board Intern position, oikos is seeking motivated individuals eager to commit to our association. As a Board teamie, you will have the chance to choose from various roles in Marketing, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Community. The Oikos Board oversees all 11 projects, so by joining our team, you'll gain insight into the entire organization and contribute your ideas to its development. Furthermore, if you aspire to a leadership role, being part of the team will provide you with valuable experience working closely with the board and preparing for such positions.
The aim of Sustainability Week St.Gallen is to get in touch with fellow students in order to raise awareness on different topics concerning sustainability. Through different activities and workshops, the Sustainability Week addresses important topics and sustainability issues. Therefore, they elaborate and show different options to the
student and St. Gallen community on how to easily adopt a sustainable lifestyle into their day-to-day life.​
We understand that during the first year, studying requires a lot of time. At the same time, we know that one of the strengths of our university, which sets it apart from many others, are the student associations. These associations allow students to take on responsibilities, develop a sense of initiative, and approach the working world while building their own network.For this reason, we offer a program at oikos for first-year students that does not require much time and effort, but allows them to get to know our association, activities, and projects.The Assessie Program includes a meeting every two weeks where workshops will be held, and business problems related to oikos and its projects will be addressed.We hope to welcome you into our community soon.
oikos Solar is a pioneering initiative committed to advancing solar energy in Switzerland. It acts as a bridge between investors and roof owners by utilizing private debt instruments to fund installations on existing rooftops. This approach not only offers economic returns to investors but also supports property owners with financing, project management, legal support, and competitively priced electricity. This dual-benefit model promotes a smooth transition to renewable energy, aligning with both financial incentives and environmental sustainability goals.
The aim of Curriculum Change is to promote a sustainable environment at the University of St. Gallen and create awareness about sustainability across the campus. The team behind Curriculum Change, which is managed by oikos, is responsible for implementing initiatives that enhance sustainability at the University. By taking small steps, individuals can have a significant impact on sustainability issues. The oikos Curriculum Change team collaborates with the SHSG, the HSG Faculty, the IWÖ, and the HSG administration, and works in a constructive manner with those in positions of authority. Education is a crucial first step in addressing climate change, and we urge the University to fulfill its institutional responsibility in this crisis.
Oikos Catalyst is a dynamic pitching competition designed exclusively for sustainable startups. It serves as a pivotal platform, bringing together eco-minded entrepreneurs and angel investors who are enthusiastic about backing sustainable ventures. The best part? In addition to the interested investors, Oikos Catalyst itself provides a significant prize money to the best pitch of the evening. Beyond the prizes, the event offers a remarkable opportunity for startups to showcase their innovative solutions to not only investors, but also curious students that are keen on starting an entrepreneurial journey themselves. In essence, it's an event that makes good things happen for entrepreneurship and the environment.
Un-Dress, a project born in 2012 in St. Gallen, aims to spread awareness regarding the unsustainable nature of the current fashion industry by engaging and educating people. To achieve this purpose, it organises various events throughout the year, including the iconic yearly “Un-Dress Fashion Show Award” attended by over 550 people last year. Over time, the project exceeded expectations, counting more than 100 former and current members, and becoming the largest event dedicated to sustainable fashion in Switzerland.
The Framework is a guide meant to help student clubs host events at the university, while minimizing their carbon footprint. Our main goal is to maintain and update the Framework with the most up-to-date tips, and to promote its usage among a diverse set of clubs. Here, we currently focus on expanding our digital presence and breaking down the guide in easy-to-understand steps to simplify its application. In the end, we can have a real impact by demonstrating the viability of the net zero path.
The ChangeHub is the first physical space at the University of St. Gallen solely dedicated to sustainability. Whose goal is to promote brainstorming among the students regarding the sustainability of our campus. Furthermore, the By&For Projects Team develops and implements projects on campus that directly increase the sustainability of the University. Currently, the reusable kooky cups have been implemented, and we strive to make more on campus sustainable changes, such as a waste management system
Being a board member means taking on key roles such as Head of Marketing, Finance, HR, Community, Vice President, and President. Beyond leading significant projects and participating in weekly meetings, you actively shape the organization through diverse responsibilities. Whether it's strategic decision-making or collaborative initiatives, each board member contributes to the organization's trajectory. This opportunity fosters personal growth and the satisfaction of significantly contributing to the organization's development. Being a member of the Board is a collaborative commitment that provides a platform to positively influence and shape the organization's impact.
The Sustainable Finance project is a dynamic university project aimed at fostering awareness, education, and collaboration within the realm of sustainable finance. Our primary goal is to inform and educate students while facilitating connections between talented individuals and forward-thinking companies right here on campus. Furthermore, we aspire to publish research papers and interviews about current issues in the field. Through this initiative, we aspire to create a collaborative environment that encourages exploration and innovation in sustainable finance.
OISMAK, a unique student-led project, stands out for promoting vegetarian to vegan recipes tailor-made for students, underlining the importance of the planet's well-being. With its emphasis on resource-conscious diets, OISMAK highlights the bountifulness of plant-based diets. Our prime goals for this year comprise the expansion of our recipe repertoire, outreach through various platforms, and fostering a sense of eco-responsible eating habits. All recipes center around Swiss regional delicacies, seasonal in nature, budget-friendly, and primarily cater to servings for 2 or 4. Our recipes do not only include nutritional values but also carbon emissions as a starting point to measure sustainable nutrition.
APPLICATION PROCESS
FILL THE FORM
INTERVIEW
GET ONBOARDED
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to apply as an assessment or master student?
Of course! All students at the University of St. Gallen can join oikos.
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What are the requirements to apply?
Interest in sustainability and driving change, motivation, reliability, transparency and willingness to learn new things!
Can I join oikos for only one semester, or go on an exchange during the year?
You can join as a team member for only one semester if the Project Head or a Board member agrees to it (they usually do, you are a great help no matter the duration!). However, if you want to apply for a Project Head or Board position, you need to stay committed for an entire year, and it would be best if you are on campus both semesters.
How can oikos benefit my future career?
oikos is the chance to gain hands-on experience in any position you take. If you join as a team member, you can choose a position according to your interest (finance, sponsoring, marketing, operations, program, event, brand relations, R&D, …) and directly apply concepts you have learned with a lot of freedom. If you join as a Project Head, you will learn about leadership, team management, organization of the work within a team, and all the practical aspects that you need to lead a project. If you join as a Board member, you will gain experience in team leadership and management, but you will also have the chance to think strategically about how you want the association to develop in the future. Moreover, with oikos having the most active members, you have a big responsibility as a board member, and a lot of freedom to shape your department as you please. Depending on the department that interests you most, you can also learn more about finance, marketing, HR, event management, or operations.
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What is the average workload for oikos members?
The workload depends on the position that you are applying for. As a team member at one of oikos´ projects the workload is expected to be between 3-4 hours per week. As a project head it is 6-8 hours and as a board member it is 10-12 hours.
Will I earn campus credits?
Due to the varying workload, it is project heads (4 ECTS) and board members (6 or 8 ECTS) who receive campus credits.