However, these arrangements do not guarantee broader interest or support for including environmental issues in the MBA curriculum. Student groups have taken significant leadership in bringing in speakers and creating the links between MBA training and business-environment issues. Seeking out schools with active environmental clubs or Students for Responsible Business clubs could be an indicator of a larger MBA community that is actively discussing these issues. Their members and activities may provide academic and professional networks. Anecdotal evidence suggests that corporate recruiters hire MBAs based on training in traditional business disciplines first, with competence in environmental topics regarded as a supplementary skill set.
Few recruiters seek out MBAs primarily for environmental management skill sets.
Findings to Inform Prospective Employers Faculty report that business school student enrollment in elective courses has not increased as quickly as anticipated, indicating that most students do not see how environmental management links to their basic education as business managers. Corporate recruiters are not asking MBA students about familiarity with environmental management, despite CEO interest or corporate commitment to environmental leadership. At the undergraduate level, many schools reported that there is an environmental literacy requirement emerging or in place. Over time, this may increase the market of environmentally literate students who choose to select business school courses focused on environmental management tools. Executive education and corporate outreach programs seem to be a growing focus for schools with faculty interested in environment.