2008 McDonald's CSR Research Fellows
"How Green Can McDonald's Be?"
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The
McDonald's CSR Research Fellows Program engages a globally
diverse set of Haas School of Business MBA students in a deep
stakeholder engagement study on McDonald's CSR activities
– helping to give the company a fresh perspective and
new insights into its business. The fellows program is part
of McDonald’s “Open Doors” program.
In 2008, the program will provide research fellowships of
$2,500 each to a team of two Haas MBAs. Through research,
stakeholder engagement, and intensive field experiences, the
team will explore, evaluate, and provide recommendations related to McDonald’s environmental performance at the restaurant level, with specific focus on the U.S. market. The project will span February-May 2008.
The team will present a report on "How Green Can McDonald's Be?" and present findings that would comment upon the following key categories related to environmental performance at the restaurant level:
- Survey of current environmental activities across the U.S. – Recommendations for future strategic environmental opportunities for the U.S. Business, opportunities for ongoing internal and external communications, and the opportunities and risks of implementing such a strategy.
- Communication of Green Restaurant/Environmental Efforts – Recommendations for communicating environmental progress in the restaurant & key issues/messages that would resonate with McDonald’s consumers and employees.
- Waste/Recycling – Waste characterization assessment in restaurant, benchmarking best practices for in-restaurant recycling and composting programs, opportunities for further packaging reductions, recommendations for marketing & branding a recycling program.
- Energy – Assessment of energy usage in the restaurant.
- Water – Assessment of water usage (kitchen, bathrooms, exterior/landscaping) and recommendations for further conservation measures.
- Supply Chain – Review current Supplier Scorecard, and provide recommendations on ways to highlight and communicate effectively with suppliers on these expectations and measurements.
The two Fellows will work collectively as one team, and the project will include at least two trips: one to meet with relevant McDonald’s personnel at our headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, and a second to a McDonald’s restaurant to experience in-restaurant operations and environmental practices first-hand.
McDonald’s aims to build a balanced and globally diverse team of Fellows. Candidates should approach the fellowship with an objective eye towards McDonald’s, and a willingness to explore alternative perspectives to what they already believe, as well as be able to operate within McDonald’s existing business model – quick and dependable service, quality food, clean environment, outstanding value, and a fun customer dining experience.
APPLICATION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES
Open to full-time Haas MBA students only, both first- and second-year candidates, with a strong background and/or interest corporate responsibility. Candidates must demonstrate excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills. Finalists may be asked to interview with Center and McDonald’s staff.
McDonald’s Fellows will work closely with a faculty director on the study and will be asked to produce several key deliverables that may be used broadly (web, company’s corporate responsible reports, etc.) and at the discretion of McDonald’s. Deliverables may include written reports for inclusion in the company’s next Corporate Responsibility report and an oral presentation to key McDonalds’ senior management. The Fellows will also be expected to summarize their overarching findings and recommendations in a detailed PowerPoint deck.
Application
Guidelines
To apply to the McDonald’s Fellows Program, candidates
should submit the following application materials:
(1) RESUME – Please include an updated
copy of your resume that includes the following information:
Full Name, Mailing Address, City/State/Zip Code, Contact Phone
Number, and Email.
(2) QUESTIONS – Please answer the following
questions regarding your experience and aspirations (include
your name at the top of each additional page).
- Please describe why you want to become a McDonald’s Fellow. (500 words maximum)
- Please reflect on your Haas coursework, any relevant research and work experience, and why you are a strong candidate for the McDonald’s Fellows program. (500 words maximum)
- Please discuss any other important time commitments you have made for the Spring 2008 semester. (e.g. GSR or GSI positions, club leadership)
Application materials should be emailed to Katharine Brewer at kbrewer@haas.berkeley.edu and must be received by 10 AM on Monday, February 4 .
Finalists may be invited to interview, either in person or via phone, with Center and McDonald’s staff during the week of February 4th.
Notification of acceptance into the program will be sent to successful applicants by February 8th.
