The Gianneschi Center for Social Impact in Business at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics brought together a panel of CSUF students to share with potential employers what they are seeking from the companies they will work for. The discussion occurred at the July 10 “Next Gen Voices: Defining Social Responsibility in the Workplace” event.
With a theme of “Transparency vs. Greenwashing in Corporate Environmental Responsibility,” the event was a collaboration between the Center for Family Business, Business Honors Program and OneOC. It was the first annual reboot of the Gianneschi summer lecture and discussion series that brings together nonprofit and social enterprise professionals, students and faculty.
“We have lived through many environmental crises and these shared lived experiences have impacted how we evaluate employers and make decisions,” said Trinity Tran, who is studying accounting and finance. “The key question is: What does environmental stewardship mean to our generation and how does it impact our choices?”
When asked about companies that exemplify the ideal environmentally conscious company, students mentioned outdoor clothing manufacturers Patagonia and Cotopaxi, which are focused on sustainable and recyclable clothing, and minimalist and efficiency-focused home furnishings dealer Ikea.
The student panelists generally agreed that a minimal mandatory standard should exist for environmental responsibility for companies, but the remainder should be voluntary, allowing companies to demonstrate their genuine care.
“If they actually care and want to do it, it will show through their entire process, rather than merely meeting an expectation,” said Vincent Musante, a business administration student.
Read more in this CSUF Business News article.