Women and the MBA

Women and the MBA Men vs. Women in Business School Whether you are a man or a woman, business school can help you achieve your career goals. An MBA can open doors that you never knew existed.  Currently, almost half of the people who take the GMAT are of the female persuasion. Unfortunately, women only account for 30% of enrollment in MBA programs. Though this is a significant increase over the last 25 to 30 years, it still proves that there is an imbalance within the world of MBAs. This imbalance has led to new and more enthusiastic recruiting methods. Graduate business schools are constantly seeking more qualified female applicants and have become more aggressive in their attempts. They have even begun to adapt their programs and clubs to make them more appealing to business women. Why Women Should Enroll in MBA Programs When you earn an MBA degree, it opens up doors all over the business world. An MBA is extremely versatile and will be valuable to you no matter what industry you decide to enter. MBAs work in both large and small corporations, non profit organizations, health care fields, government establishments, and many other types of business settings. Many MBA graduates have also utilized their degree to start their own business. An MBA will give you a general management education and increase your chances of moving into senior-level positions. An MBA degree can also help the pocketbook. MBA graduates are often the highest paid employees within the US. Why More Women Dont Enroll in MBA Programs When surveyed, most female MBA graduates have positive things to say about their business school experience. So, why don’t more women enroll? Here are the most common complaints and misconceptions: Many women mistakenly perceive business school as a place where they will not be welcome by the male-dominated population.There are not enough women role models and business leaders.There are not enough female professors. The faculty is often male-dominated.MBA programs are inflexible and/or not compatible with personal goals. Choosing a Business School Before choosing a business school, make sure that you consider both the learning environment and the campus culture. You will find that some business schools are more supportive of female students than others. To learn more about the school, try talking to the admissions office, current students, and alumni. Some schools are so eager to acquire more women candidates that they offer special scholarships and financial aid programs to female candidates. Make sure that you evaluate all of the options before making a decision. Scholarship Resources for Women Many schools have scholarship opportunities that they make available to women applicants. Women can also pursue scholarships that are offered by these professional womens organizations: C200American Business Women’s Association (ABWA)Business Professional Women (BPW Foundation) ​Online Resources for Women There are many different resources available to women who are interested in pursuing an MBA. Here is just an example: National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)CatalystForte FoundationWomen for Hire