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Research Article: How Well Do Universities Prepare New Environmental Managers?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 July 2009

Raymond Benton Jr*
Affiliation:
Department of Marketing, Loyola University Chicago
Sarah E. Cottle
Affiliation:
Former student and MBA graduate, Department of Marketing, Loyola University Chicago
*
Loyola University Chicago, School of Business Administration, Department of Marketing, 820 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; (fax) 312-915-6988; (e-mail) rbenton@luc.edu.
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Abstract

While few programs have been created to satisfy the need for environmental managers, one promising development is that the environment has become a legitimate topic in graduate business programs. With the intent to provide information to schools of business as they integrate environmentally related subjects into their curricula, a questionnaire was sent to 1,200 active members of the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP). A 20% return rate was obtained. Half of all respondents report that students are inadequately prepared; 85% said MBAs are inadequately prepared. Students get little practical experience, lack familiarity with business or management concepts, and are unfamiliar with principles of project management MBAs lack requisite scientific or technical background. Work experience is considered important and 90% of all respondents indicate an internship counts as work experience but only 50% say their organization provides internship opportunities.

Type
Features & Reviews
Copyright
Copyright © National Association of Environmental Professionals 2000

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