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Program Advantages
The MBA/MS Program is designed to be more than the sum of its parts. Although students earn two distinct degrees and are intimateley involved at both schools, the combination of our strong community and unique program features provides students with an integrated experience unlike any other. As a result, our graduates leave with the holistic perspective, interdisciplinary knowledge and leadership skills required to address the complex challenges of sustainability.
Some Alumni
Anecdotes
“As an Erb Institute student, the walk between the Ross School of Business and School of Natural Resources & Environment often creates an identity crisis. Roaming the halls of the Ross School of Business, there is a tendency among my MBA friends to see the "tree-hugger" in me while SNRE classmates fixate on my "corporate" image. I am not alone in this struggle - I share my dual existence with other Erb Institute students. Narrowing the gap between these perceptions is the real challenge and strength of the dual degree program. There is no doubt that Erb Institute is the ideal path to receive top-notch business and environmental training. The overlap between these two disciplines, however, represents the truly unique opportunity of the dual degree program. It offers the rare chance to acquire a holistic set of skills, understand a broader range of perspectives, learn how to communicate with a diverse group of stakeholders, and account for more than just the bottom line. And the result? I am confident that I will become a more complete individual, one better prepared to make a difference after leaving the University of Michigan.”
Rob Frederick (Erb '00)
Director, Corporate Sustainability
Brown-Forman
“There are
many advantages of
this unique dual
degree program, from
my perspective. My
three-year
experience as part
of Erb Institute
allows me to list
the following
benefits:
More time for
self-reflection and
developing a point
of view. Two
years go by very
quickly. Few MBA’s
really take the
opportunity to
reflect and think
critically about
what they really
want to do with
their lives. Having
three years provides
more experiences and
has really helped me
figure these things
out.
Two internships.
Having two
internships helped
me figure out my
career goals. Many
of us come from
unconventional
backgrounds, so I
think the chance to
experience two
different jobs is
especially useful
for Erb Institute
students. Plus, the
learning experience
can be excellent.
More
opportunities.
Having two degrees
and additional
skills is definitely
attractive to many
employers,
especially for
full-time positions.
During the full-time
job search, I never
experienced a
situation where it
was viewed as a
hindrance.
Internships are
admittedly tougher,
because some
recruiters will
question Erb
Institute students’
likelihood to join
their organization
upon graduation.
That is why the Erb
Institute
internships remain a
great avenue for
many of us. The Erb
Institute External
Advisory Board is
also a great avenue
for exploring
opportunities and
networking.”
Kevin Greiner (Erb '98)
President & CEO
Gas South
“Being the first
graduate of the dual
degree program, I
had to piece the
requirements
together and take a
heavy load...and put
up with the
skepticism of the
all the students and
faculty as to the
merit of the Erb
Institute. But I
have never regretted
my decision to earn
the two degrees. My
education and
experience have
enabled me to
succeed in a wide
array of jobs and to
bring alternative
perspectives to
employers, clients,
and peers. My job
prospects are varied
and interesting.
Finally, as a result
of the program I am
also more confident
in my own abilities
pertaining to
business and the
environment - and
this goes a long
way.”
Laura Rubin (Erb '95)
Executive Director
Huron River
Watershed Council
"Regarding the
advantages of dual
degrees, I'd have to
say at the outset
that I wouldn't do
it any other way.
Breadth is as
important as
anything in graduate
work, and if you
want to look at it
superficially, this
is a good way to
differentiate
yourself from
"typical MBA’s."
Just having the
extra year to pick
at B-school
electives might be
worth the time and
money. More
importantly, if the
field you might go
into is
environmental
science-related,
having the
management training
will make a huge
difference; it is
rare, and very
important in that
arena. Erb Institute
students are biased,
but I'm sure we'd
all agree that
likewise, if you go
into more
traditional business
fields, having the
environ-mental bent
and background will
enhance your ability
to see the other
side of issues and
improve the
long-term future of
the business,
regardless of what
it is. There will be
a strong future for
businesses that take
the environment into
account, and hence
for practitioners
with the right
training. The
disadvantages of the
dual degree should
not be ignored, but
rather managed. The
two curricula are
pretty different,
and perhaps hard to
synergize (having
"Woody Plants" and
"Futures & Options"
on the same
transcript will be
only slightly more
awkward than
actually moving
between those two
"classrooms"). The
three-year timing
throws you out of
sync with other
students in both
schools, so you have
to be independent.
Finally, traditional
businesses will
require a solid
explanation as to
why you even
considered doing the
SNRE bit. As with
dual JD/MBA
candidates, a
recruiter’s first
written note could
easily be "confused,
undecided,
unfocused, floater".
As long as you are
truly committed to
the program, getting
the right job
shouldn't be a
problem. You most
likely wouldn't want
to work for a
company that can't
see it that way in
any case."
Tim Reed (Erb '00)
Manager, Conservation Audits
The Nature
Conservancy
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