The STAR label
A study conducted in 2019 by WISE, Ipsos and JobTeaser across five countries revealed that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was emerging among the five most important criteria for job seekers (according to the article Écoles et universités à l’heure des formations aux défis climatiques published in We Demain)
Sustainable development and the societal sense of responsibility of organizations now occupies a crucial position among the values upheld by younger generations who want their work to have a positive impact around them.
The Shift Project report titled Former les acteurs de l’Économie de demain published in November 2022 explains: “management professionals, especially company executives, whether they have an educational background in management or otherwise, are faced with the significant task of re-inventing practices, tools, and economic models from this moment on. Higher education institutions in the field of management have a fundamental role to play in offering students the best possible preparation for their professional future and training informed citizens. In this context, fulfilling this dual mission involves the complete incorporation of ecological stakes into the learning track of all students.”
In order to meet this major challenge, Paris School of Business created the STAR label in 2023, enabling students to commit to Sustainable Development and CSR actions. The scheme is open to students on the Grande Ecole-Master in Management and Bachelor programs and involves responsibilities of an academic nature but also in terms of their experience on and off campus.
This label features a system of points obtained by students according to a series of actions to which they commit throughout their studies at Paris School of Business on various levels:
- Courses taught at the school:
During the curriculum at Paris School of Business, a large proportion of courses dedicated to CSR and Sustainable Development are taught to students. Some of these are mandatory whilst others are available as electives. They also take part in common theme projects during which they follow companies with sustainable development strategies for an entire semester.
- Association commitments with responsible objectives:
On campus, students can take part every year in collections organized by the GduCoeur association, among others. They can also carry out a public interest mission with a legally approved individual.
- International exchanges:
For all internationally related parts of their studies, students are invited to fulfil all commitments by choosing the modes of transport with the lowest ecological impact when joining their host country or associations within their own university.
- Professional experience:
During their internships and work-study periods, students may commit to any action, project, activity in support of those in need, civic education, sustainable development, energy transition, or international solidarity.
At the end of each year, students are assessed via their annual STAR report and by means of an oral taken before an adjudicating panel. For those joining Paris School of Business via the parallel admissions system, the total number of points will be calculated on a pro rata basis in relation to the number of years remaining up to the end of their curriculum.
The students who obtain the most points are awarded the STAR label, enabling them to boost their profile in the eyes of recruiters during their job search and throughout their career. The top three students to have carried out the most initiatives will receive a €1000 allowance.
On 19 September a STAR label presentation meeting will be held from 5pm to 7pm on the Paris School of Business campus for 1st-year Grande Ecole-Master in Management and Bachelor program students. Geneviève Ferone-Creuzet, Vice-President of The Shift Project, Vice-President of the Fondation Nicolas Hulot et Co-founder of the Prophil company that supports entrepreneurs committed to implementing alternative strategies, will be the guest of honor and will speak during the meeting in order to raise student awareness of the importance of corporate transformation.