Women without MBA degrees outperform those who do

Where on one hand several studies show that more women than men are currently graduating from universities, a research by Business Because reveals that two thirds of the women that featured in Fortune’s ‘Most Powerful Women in Business’ list this year, did not go to business school.

Some of these women are: Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM and Mary Barra, CEO of US General Motors. The research also revealed that only one out of the top 100 MBA ranked business schools reported enrolling more women than men. The average percentage of women enrolling for MBA programmes is 32%.

According to Forté Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting business education for women; an MBA degree can increase the earning potential of women by over $3 million. The organization has awarded $45 million in scholarships to women pursuing MBA courses.

Forbes reveals that where most men choose to take jobs in consulting, energy, investment banking, private equity and IT fields after getting an MBA degree; most women, take up jobs in  consumer goods, health care, retail, nonprofit and government- relatively lower paying fields. This could be one reason for women without MBA degrees doing better than those who do in corporate fields.

Business Week>

Even though most women pursue working in business after receiving their MBA degrees, there are a small percentage of women who retire at an early age. According to NAWMBA’s Olpin, women begin to quit their jobs three to five years after earning the degree, with more and more droping out along the way.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Business Because

http://www.businessbecause.com/news/business-finance-masters/2797/women-business-leaders-do-it-better-without-mbas

Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/21/graduate-education-business-school-high-paying-jobs-forbes-woman-leadership-mba.html