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Women in Business
By Sonia Ansari
Although more and more women are earning MBAs and entering the ranks of executive management, they still face many gender-related challenges in the pursuit of their career goals. Last year a study released jointly by the University of Michigan Business School and Catalyst, “Women and the MBA: Gateway to Opportunity”, found that women graduates often cite common barriers to pursuing the MBA degree. These include lack of female role models (56 percent), incompatibility of careers in business with work/life balance (47 percent), lack of confidence in math skills (45 percent), and lack of encouragement by their employers (42 percent).
| Suzie Kornblum, MBA 02 | |
After I had my son in 1999, I wasn’t ready to reenter the workforce, and the MBA program gives me some breathing room in that regard. I now have two years and access to so many more options for that reentry. Men do not have the same internal conflicts regarding staying at home versus working outside the home. I don’t think men would cite a similar reason for going back to school. |
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| Jessica Hymowitz, MBA 01 | |
I had gone as far as I could go without obtaining certain skills and an understanding of some common business terminology. The specific hurdles I needed to overcome would have been there regardless of gender. But I do believe that women at all levels experience the problem of having to prove that they are as good as, if not better than, the men on the job. Every action a woman takes is scrutinized to a greater degree than a man’s. Instead of having their competence assumed, women and minorities are put in a position of proving their competence. |
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| Dominque Bourda, MBA 02 | |
At junior levels, things are fairly equal, but in upper management, there is a level of “good ole’ boy” attitude that hasn’t completely gone away. Unfortunately, many women who succeed have to make incredible personal sacrifices—waiting to get married or have children. I don’t think it’s possible to have it all; you have to make sacrifices to make it work. Some of my peers who have not returned for an advanced degree are enjoying their careers and don’t want to break up the momentum. Others have families and just can’t afford the time or cost of returning to school. I think most people realize the value, but many are afraid to take the risk. If there were more high quality evening programs, I think more women might go back to get an MBA. |
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| Melanie Ripps, MBA 01 | |
I was lacking a foundation in business. I was in a position where I was making decisions that were affecting the bottom line, but I wasn't sure exactly how. The hurdles I encountered there would have been there whether I was a woman or a man. I do not feel there is a glass ceiling. I think that the number of women in executive positions is still smaller than it should be, but I think that will change over time. More and more companies are trying to accommodate the lifestyles of women by offering more choices concerning maternity leaves and job sharing options. |
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