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Women Are Taking a Seat in MBA Classrooms

March 28, 2014

More than ever, women are a real presence in MBA programs both across the country and abroad. MBA classes at both Wharton and Harvard, two of the top programs in the US, have record numbers of women enrolled to earn their MBA degrees. A big part of the reason for this trend is that the value of having an MBA in the workplace is increasing. The versatility of an MBA means that you have a wide variety of career options available to you upon completion. Regardless of the career path you decide to take, having an MBA is always helpful in the business world. Aside from large-scale corporations, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, small companies and government offices are also hiring MBA holders. Salary increases are also a result of getting an MBA, since MBAs are usually among the highest-paid workers in the US. Because women have traditionally been a minority in the business world, there is also a significant number of scholarship and grant opportunities for women who are pursuing their MBA. Earning your online MBA degree is a great way to increase your employability and advance your career.

Careers for Women With an MBA

As thousands of women enter the job market with business degrees, many are going into the fields of finance and consulting. However, those are not your only options. With an MBA degree like the one offered online from King University, you can also work in marketing and advertising, as well as the nonprofit and public service sectors. If you want to work in traditional business positions, that’s great; an MBA will definitely help get you there. Women are also branching out into other, more creative fields. Recent surveys report that women want to work in a dynamic work environment in which they can be challenged. This goal, along with the desire for a competitive salary and continued advancement, are the main reasons that women are pursuing careers that require an MBA.

A Valuable Degree

Many studies have been completed to find out how getting an MBA impacts the pay and position women hold within various industries. The findings of a study by the Fortí© Foundation have revealed important information about the true value of an MBA degree. For example, women with their MBA see pay gains of 55-65% within five years of graduation from an MBA program. In addition, companies with female board directors experience approximately a 50% higher return on equity. Finally and most significantly, 85% of MBA graduates believe their MBA has helped them advance their career. There are less quantitative benefits as well, however. On average, women benefit from earning their MBA through increased confidence and career satisfactions. The top five industries for women with MBAs are marketing and advertising, management consulting, financial services, consumer goods, and government and public service. More information can be found here.

Resources for Women in Business

The following is a list of valuable resources for women in the business industry who are prospective MBA students:

The Forte Foundation:

Major corporations and business schools that educate and direct women toward business leadership roles.

National Association for Female Executives:

One of the largest associations for women professionals and women business owners in the US.

Catalyst:

A non-profit organization concerned with expanding business opportunities for women.

Women for Hire:

A company that provides women with recruiting services and career expos.

Earning Your MBA With King

King’s online MBA program will prepare you to be an effective leader in a variety of business settings. Our curriculum focuses on management, research, theoretical systems, skills development and ethical practices that are applicable to real-world business situations. The online MBA degree is a 36-hour program is designed for business professionals who want to enhance their business administration knowledge and skills. Students who complete their MBA with King University also choose one of the following specializations:

  • Accounting
  • Healthcare management
  • Human resources management
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing