MBA programs examine global and social issues
In the wake of the economic downturn, many companies are looking to promote a socially conscious image. A great deal of these organizations are increasing their community service efforts or awarding employees who have spearheaded corporate responsibility initiatives.
As a result, many campus-based and online MBA programs are designing courses of study that can help graduates adapt well to the corporate world’s new culture of humanity. In fact, many business schools are now mandating that degree seekers study social issues or apply what they are learning to service projects.
According to recent figures from the Aspen Institute, the percentage of business colleges that require students to take a class in business and societal issues has doubled in the past 10 years, the Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire reports.
Hands-on projects connect business students to their communities
However, not all of these institutions are simply demanding that campus-based and online degree candidates add an additional ethics class to their course load. Instead, many MBA programs are asking students to use their skills to solve real-world problems.
For example, business students at Clemson University recently completed a two-year project that involved the rejuvenation of a local mission church, according to the school’s website.
During the 2008-2009 academic year, MBA candidates from the school were asked to develop proposals for ways to expand the reach of Triune Mercy Center, which works primarily with homeless individuals. The team of students determined that a computer lab could help out-of-work church members gain marketable technical skills, which could increase their likelihood of landing a job. Furthermore, giving these individuals free access to the Internet could enable them to more efficiently search for jobs.
After they collected donations from nearby businesses and community members, the students were able to replace the facility’s outdated computers and re-carpet the space that had been set aside for the lab. In addition, the MBA candidates worked together to develop a curriculum for visitors to the center. Using this plan, the center was able to creating training sessions for various skill levels, ranging from basic typing to using Mircosoft Excel.
Gail DePriest, director of corporate relations and career management for the school’s MBA program, said that the project was intended to emphasize that “giving back to the community is an important piece of our students’ responsibility as future business owners.”
Corporate responsibility stressed to online degree seekers
While Clemson’s project was present to students who learn in a classroom-based setting, many providers of online degrees are calling on web-based enrollees to participate in community service initiatives.
For instance, Ashworth College recently announced it will be participating in a Habitat for Humanity activity for the second consecutive year.
In cooperation with the organization’s North Central Georgra branch, employees and students from Ashworth will help construct a home. Furthermore, school officials will present Habitat for Humanity with a donation that was collected from staff and students from across the globe. These funds will be used to cover the expenses of building other homes, land purchases and building materials.
The school is the first online education provider to launch its own Habitat for Humanity chapter. Ashworth also supports a variety of socially conscious organizations, including Children’s Miracle Network, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the American Cancer Society, The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Operation Homefront and the March of Dimes.
Business students who participate in similar initiatives could gain a competitive edge in the job market, as many hiring organizations are looking favorably upon applicants who can help them improve their public reputation.
By Stefanie Hughes