US survey reveals ultimate career goals of MBAs

MBACareers.com finds gender gap in male and female career aspirations


According to an MBACareers.com QuickPoll released today, men and women have starkly different reasons for obtaining an MBA. While both pursue an MBA to increase earning potential, the commonality ends there. Men obtain an MBA for networking and preparation for entrepreneurship and advancement while women hope that an MBA will gain them additional career opportunities and credibility in the workplace. Men did not cite credibility as a motivator for obtaining an MBA.

Additionally, the survey revealed the long-term career goals for male and female MBAs differ as well. Men acquiring an MBA aspire to become president or CEO of both public and private companies or to start their own businesses. Women MBAs, however, ranked management consulting, executive level vice-president positions and non-profit executive management high among their career goals.

JillXan Donnelly of MBACareers.com comments, ìthere is a significant gender gap that exists between male and female MBAs. While a graduate business degree may be necessary to both men and women who expect to excel and lead in the business world, women clearly view the MBA as their badge of credibility and hope that it will help open career doors. Men expect to hold the top leadership positions and for women, it is still the exception.î

For women, career advancement challenges still remain. A recent poll by CareerWomen.com, a sister site to MBACareers.com, revealed that women at all levels in an organization are still experiencing tough barriers to advancement in the workplace. The survey pointed to corporate culture favoring men, exclusion from informal networks, perception that family will interfere with work and lack of women serving in board level positions and in senior management. According to one respondent, ìwork/life balance is difficult for women. Children, aging parents, home responsibilities all seem to be womenís issues. When seeking a promotion, I always consider that I can do it all ñ I don''t think this is a consideration of my male colleagues.î