30 September 2017. At the Bachelors' Graduation Day, a total of 498 graduates were handed their degree certificates in the following majors:

• 315 in Business Administration,
• 42 in International Affairs,
• 54 in Economics,
• 37 in Law and Economics,
• 50 in Law.

Career – what step first?
President Thomas Bieger reminded the graduates that their degree would open up more options for them than they had had before. However, social expectations in the age of social media had increased. Therefore Bieger advised the graduates to fight for privacy in the digital world. For this purpose, Bieger used a mountain hike as a metaphor for life and career. "A society in which each of us has to give reasons why we climb what mountain is in danger of everybody climbing the same mountains." The choice of the first mountain – the first career step – should suit one's own personality rather than satisfying other people's expectations. "Look less for glamour and prestige. Look at what personal experience and satisfaction you will be able to gain." After all, at this time characterised by a lack of fixed career ladders, the value of the right career step can only be appraised after one's working life.

Attractive social programme
The musical background to the ceremony was provided by the HSG Big Band. HSG Alumni President Urs Landolf congratulated the graduates on their first academic degree. He outlined the great advantages of the large HSG Alumni network for new graduates, in particular, and encouraged them to become actively involved in it. During the Bachelors' Graduation Day, graduates, their relatives and guests were able to enjoy a varied social programme ranging from themed guided tours in the city and guided tours of artworks at the University to Prof. Dr. Peter Hettich's taster lecture on "Public service in the media – constitutional and economic aspects." In the evening, HSG Alumni held the traditional Graduation Party in St.Gallen.