July 1, 2008 - Six months after a global survey found elite MBAs combing through sustainability reports to find just the right employer, this summer's crop of MBA grads say they aren't vetting companies on environmental performance - they're more interested in just getting a job.

A new survey conducted at MIT's Sloan School of Management students say that while being green is important in their personal lives, a firm's record on sustainability is not a decisive force as they ponder employment opportunities early in their careers.

Only about a quarter of the nearly 400 graduate students surveyed say they have actually examined a potential employer's environmental record; about 60% said they were more concerned with securing a position than taking such a record into account.

But that could change as the MBAs become more established in their careers, the survey suggests, with more than 75% saying a company's environmental record and commitment to sustainable business practices will likely become a greater factor.

"Realistically, a firm's environmental performance isn't too important right now,” says recent graduate Garrett Dodge, although he concedes that "it would be an issue if an employer was notorious for its environmental record. A poor environmental record is also indicative of a firm that may lack judgment in other areas, such as human resources or accounting. Clearly, that kind of firm is not the place to start a career."

These survey findings are directly at odds with other, larger studies that have suggested a strong correlation between a company's reputation for corporate responsibility and its ability to attract top talent. In a January survey, for example, three-quarters of top MBA students said corporate reputation will play a critical role in deciding where to work.

Marketing functions in particular are feeling the squeeze, with MBAs saying they've lost interest in pushing products that lack a social conscience.

In general, MBA curricula have been getting greener as more mainstream companies incorporate sustainability concerns into core business strategy.