Innovation at the B-schools: walk the talk?

Recently I was honored to serve as a career coach to participants of the Net Impact Conference, held on November 14-15, 2008 at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  The vast majority of program participants were MBA students, attending excellent programs throughout the country. 

I was very impressed with the students I met: 

• they offer outstanding undergraduate records of achievement at excellent schools;
• their volunteer experience is targeted to support their interests and goals;
• they are eager to contribute in a socially responsible manner in the corporate and/or civil society space. 

While each candidate was distinguished in some way, I came to the conclusion that it was unlikely that any of them would have gotten to the first-level interview on the basis of the resume they presented.  They told me they were "forbidden" from changing the format of their resume: they must confirm to a school-wide format for inclusion in the "book" to be shared with on-campus recruiters.  Hmmm…why is this a problem?

The reason can be summarized by a reference to the lyrics of Little Boxes, written by Malvina Reynolds and popularized by Pete Seeger:

…All went to the university,
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same…

Our social and economic times cry out for innovation:  we don't need more managers, doctors, lawyers…all of whom come out just the same.  We need innovation, and I am not referring to Innovation 501 taught by a Distinguished Professor who may never have stepped foot in a corporate setting except as a highly-compensated consultant, who provided services as a side-business. 

These students deserve an opportunity to distinguish themselves, not in a competition for grades, class rank, or signing bonus, but in a way that allows them to understand their unique value proposition.  It is my belief that the schools should let these students out of their "Little Boxes," so they can dedicate themselves to "Tikkun Olam-repairing the earth." 

Francisco Noguera brought up a more contemporary and general view of the career strategy I was advocating:  see Seth Godin's little book, The Purple Cow.   I submit that Business Schools, whose ranks are swelling as the economy declines, walk the talk of innovation.