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April 25, 2003
MBA Women Offer Insights to Undergraduates
By Pam Losefsky
AUSTIN -- On Wednesday, April 23, the Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) welcomed women from across campus to a panel discussion about careers in business and the MBA degree. Attendees wanted to know what issues women encountered in business, how to find a mentor, how to find a job, and what they could expect from business school. The GWIB panel of seven first- and second-year MBA students helped to illuminate these and other questions.
The diverse and dynamic panel included MBA students Anna Davis, Jill Bays, Sri Srinivasan, Marie-Laure Carvalho, Niti Patel, Cassandra Farrington, Melissa Evers-Hood. They first answered moderated questions and then took questions from audience members.
Here are some bits of wisdom they passed on to the crowd:
- Attitude: Whether you encounter any problems in business as a woman depends on the company, your boss, and your attitude. Don't go into work with a chip on your shoulder, but also realize that there could be mixed perceptions of women in business. Prove yourself with good work and integrity. Don't act overly emotional if you are confronted with a sexist comment.
- Mentors: Some companies offer formal mentor programs, but if your workplace does not, find a person in the organization outside of your department who is more senior than you and ask him or her to consider mentoring you as you "learn the ropes" in your new career. More often than not, the person will be flattered by the offer and more than happy to help.
- Networks: To find a job, you must network, network, network!
- Workloads: As far as the MBA program, expect a lot of work - it's all about time management and finding your balance. B-school isn't all about classes, though, there are LOTS of social and professional development activities to take advantage of.
The GWIB and the Undergraduate Women in Business club have discussed planning and co-sponsoring a GWIB/UWB mixer in the fall as a way to encourage more interaction between the BBAs and MBAs going forward. The GWIB helps coordinate and co-host Forté Foundation events. Forté Foundation's mission is to increase the number of women business owners and business leaders and to support their careers through business education and networks.
Forté Foundation, a consortium of educational institutions, businesses and nonprofit groups, was launched November 6, 2001, with the McCombs School of Business as a founding member.
For more information about women in business initiatives at the McCombs School, visit the Graduate Women in Business Web site or contact Assistant Dean and MBA Program Director Elissa Ellis (512-232-3913).
For information on specific programs at the McCombs School, consult our contacts page. For media information, contact the Communications Director by phone at 512-471-3314 or by email at CommunicationsDirector@mccombs.utexas.edu.
