GSSE alumni Natalie Markham

2/19/16 – This blog post was written by a recent graduate from the Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise MBA program, Natalie Markham. Natalie is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Cameroon with a background in business and social work.

For the vast majority of people, the term “social enterprise” is new.  The concept is really quite simple.  It is just a business that incorporates one or more social goals, like improving a community’s health, reducing poverty, or protecting the environment, into the very fabric of its identity and mission.  It is different than a not-for-profit because it pursues these social goals along with the goal of profits, and it is different than most businesses because it knows profit maximization is not the only, or often even the most important, goal.

So, what does this have to do with you?  Well, I just graduated from Colorado State University with an MBA in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise, and, frankly, it was awesome.  Extremely challenging, yet inspiring, the program has recently been ranked #3 among MBA programs across THE WORLD for Social Entrepreneurship.  I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’m so excited about a career in which I get to use both my brain and my heart.  So, are you GSSE material?  I’ve put together a list of questions to help you figure it out:

1. Do you want to make a difference in the world?
2. Do you believe business can and should solve problems, not add to them?
3. Are you creative, determined, and equipped with a strong moral compass?
4. Do you believe business should focus on the triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Profits?
5. Do the fields of impact investing, renewable energy, corporate social responsibility, and international development interest you?
6. Does the uncertainty of the startup environment invigorate you?
7. Do you believe that, in this day and age, a specialized MBA can provide more value than a generic MBA?
8. Do you enjoy surrounding yourself with diverse opinions, perspectives, backgrounds, and skills sets?
9. Do you want to discuss world issues with people from all over the world?

If this inspires you to want to join this crazy family, check us out on www.theGoodMBA.com!

GSSE Cohort 8 right after their last final exam.