Breaking the MBA gender barrier

By Peter Walker for CNN

Adjust font size:

LONDON, England (CNN) -- When asked to picture the archetypical MBA student, most people will describe someone relatively young, fiercely ambitious and focused on success. Oh yes, and most likely male.

While women make up slightly more than half the potential global workforce, they fill only around a third of seats in classrooms teaching MBAs and other graduate business degree courses.

There are a number of reasons for this, everything from prejudicial attitudes towards women in the workplace to the greater demands family life can often take on businesswomen.

However, there are now also increasing resources for those seeking to break through the so-called "glass ceiling" limiting women's business ambitions, by taking an MBA.

The MBA Women site (here) contains information about special events as well containing as things like the top 10 interview tips for trying to gain admission to a business school.

Schools themselves are also taking direct action, for example Northwestern University's highly-ranked Kellogg School of Business which is this week holding a special forum for women considering an MBA or similar course.

The two-day Women's Leadership Workshop, held at the Kellogg campus, is, according to the organizers, "designed for high potential women, early in their career, in industries and functions where an MBA is not considered a part of the traditional career path and who are looking to enhance their leadership skills."

And while MBAs themselves generally cost many thousands of dollars, the two days of networking and expert advice comes with a price tag of just $65.

Talking and networking

Those attending will hear talks by both faculty and top businesswomen, and will be able to take part in discussion groups on subjects such as negotiating and network strategies. They will also have the chance to meet current Kellogg students.

"This is a real opportunity for both Kellogg and the women attending," said Liz Mahler, co-organizer of the event,

"We hope to open a dialogue and encourage these women to embrace the leadership possibilities ahead of them."

Among the speakers is Stephanie Gallo, granddaughter of Ernest Gallo, who along with his brother Julio founded the famous wine house taking their two names. Now senior director of marketing, she graduated from the Kellogg program in 1999.

Women are said to often pick their MBA on different criteria than that of men, looking for personal development and a well-rounded curriculum rather than a more direct and traditional career path.

"Anecdotal evidence shows a spectrum of women working in the non-profit or otherwise non-traditional MBA track sector," said Mahler. "We want to show them how the skills developed through the Kellogg School can truly propel their career and passions in any industry."

This is not the only such event. In June, New York University's Stern School of Business is hosting the three-day MBA Forum for Women, this time aimed particularly at those seeking to enter the financial services industries.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Opinion: Building haunted by Lennon's murder
• Rainforests turn to smoldering ruins
• Wrestlers grapple with issues in, out of ring
• Are Zhu Zhu toys safe? Consumer group says no
• Texas escapee joins most-wanted list

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)