Editorial
credit crunch
create a family, have children or keep growing in “Women in sectors such as not-for-profit struggling female numbers. She explains: “We need
their career. In most cases, they cannot achieve it organizations don't think that an MBA will help to show the range of options available and how
all at the same time.” or that it is necessary for their progression.” doing an MBA can help women get what they want,
However, there is also a feeling that women For this reason, many business schools believe like working part time.”
are less likely to ask their employers to support that more needs to be done to communicate the
them in doing an MBA or EMBA, and industry benefits of MBA and EMBA courses to women MBA benefits
observers say that as job security concerns grow, both now, as the credit crunch bites, and in the Women need to be convinced that doing an MBA
they will be even less likely to push for career future as women pick increasingly diverse sectors to or an EMBA will bring benefits to their career. The
development. Valérie-Claude Gaudillate, work in. “The bottom line,” says Coonrod, “is that latter will prepare them for profit and loss
director of MBAs at Audencia Nantes School of women need to see that courses like EMBAs are responsibility and more operational roles; it helps
Management in France, explains that even in less 'doable' and they often need to know that their them migrate out of support roles and into strategy
difficult times, women do not believe that MBAs companies will be supportive at some level.” development, and will also put candidates in touch
are an option. She adds: “They don't think that She adds that women often put such training with each other helping to broaden their business
their company will pay for them." on the back burner and she calls for MBA recruiters outlook. According to Gaudillat, this should be
highlighted to candidates through mentoring
schemes and work by alumni. Siegfried adds: “This
puts the onus back on the business schools; we need
“So far, business schools are remaining optimistic about the future with a
good mentors to show that MBAs don't have to be
majority saying that admissions - from men and women are increasing about a traditional, corporate thing.”
The world of MBAs can appear male dominated
year-on-year with many new nationalities also applying.”
and there are concerns that fewer female applications
mean that recruiters are not always getting a diverse
range of candidates for roles. But crucially, as
There is also a feeling that the credit crunch to be more proactive by letting women employees Gaudillat points out, if there are less women doing
has come at a time when women are seeking know that they are under consideration for high MBAs, there are less women getting to board level.
jobs outside of the traditional corporate arena, level roles. “An executive MBA experience at a top She adds: “If they don't go through the training to
just as for not-for-profit organizations, healthcare program - where they apply what they learn, as they reach the top role, they don't get there.”
and public sector. “I think we might be going learn it - yields great rewards for the individual and With the economic outlook looking unsettled
through a cycle,” says Siegfried. “Women are the supporting organization.” for the foreseeable future, the ability to bring
feeling they don't necessarily want a full time, In the past, says Siegfried, women have not something extra to a role will become increasingly
hard-charging career these days, with many been specifically targeted by communications or important to recruiters. More women need to realize
choosing to be full or part time mothers now. recruitment drives because research has shown that the importance of training and should be proactive
Also, any jobs that women are aspiring to do not they do not want to be singled out. But there is now about getting it from the companies. This means
require an MBA, or they don't want the kind of a widespread feeling that it is time to change strategy more has to be done to show them what they can
jobs where recruiters want an MBA. She adds in case the credit crunch takes its toll on the already achieve if they put the time and investment in.
16 TopMBA CAreer Guide www.topmba.com
MBA_FALL_08_pp_002-065.indd 16 11/8/08 18:05:43
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