How Women Can Succeed in Business School | Education

While business school may seem like a male-dominated field, more and more women are enrolled in and thriving in MBA programs.

According to the Forte Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on expanding opportunities for women business leaders, female enrollment in 58 top full-time MBA programs in the U.S., Europe and Canada will increase to a record high of 42% in fall 2023, up from 41% in 2022, 38% in 2018 and 34% in 2013.

“Women who get into top business schools are typically high-achieving students, so they can feel a lot of pressure when they get into an MBA program,” says Alice Van Harten, founding partner of Menlo Coaching, an admissions consulting firm that advises MBA candidates.

She advises women to set clear goals before starting an MBA program, “figure out how you want to spend your time and energy, and embrace imperfection.”

Triada Kloss, who is pursuing an MBA and Master of Science in tourism, hospitality and event management at George Washington University Business School in Washington, DC, said that while female MBA students are much more likely to be successful, “it can be intimidating to enter a field that has historically been male-dominated.”

“Find a supporter or cheerleader to keep you motivated when assignments, projects, or final exams get tough,” says Cross, who also serves as vice president of the Black MBA Association at George Washington University.

Here are some other ways women can plan for success in business school.

Whether you're looking to change jobs or advance in your current field, experts say it's important to do your research and choose the right program and school.

To find the right school for you, look for business schools that have active recruiters from companies you're interested in, that host events on campus, and that have active alumni, suggests Elissa Sangster, CEO of the Forte Foundation. Students should also consider whether the school matches their preferences in terms of location, clubs, culture, and other factors, she says.

“Do they have a high percentage of female students, female faculty and top-notch professors in areas that need growth?” Sangster said.

Experts say it's important to raise your hand, speak confidently and participate actively in class.

“Women can succeed in business school by actively participating in discussions, asking questions and expressing their perspectives both in and outside of the classroom,” says Shaifali Agarwal, founder and CEO of MBA admissions consulting firm The Ivy Group.

Sangster says it's important to speak up in class and remember to “share ideas that others can build on to get the whole class involved.”

Actively participating in class also means making an effort to talk to your professors, such as scheduling a meeting to chat during their office hours.

“Connect with faculty and mentors and feel free to ask for guidance,” Senai Agaca says., She is the chief diversity officer and professor of finance at the George Washington University Business School.

Experts say building close relationships with professors and mentors can give you an advantage after business school.

According to Fortune magazine, by June 2023, women will hold 10.4% of leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies. Meanwhile, 8% of CEOs at S&P 500 companies are women, and 45% of those hold an MBA or equivalent degree, Forte reported in 2023.

Experts say that taking on leadership roles early on helps women build a foundation for such roles later in their careers.

Agarwal said leadership roles within student organizations include club president, committee chair, event organizer, etc. “These experiences give me the opportunity to practice leadership skills such as decision-making, delegation and conflict resolution.”

Agarwal says students should also participate in leadership development programs and workshops sponsored by the business school or outside organizations.

“These programs often provide training in areas such as team building, communications and strategic planning, which can provide a strong foundation for success in business school,” she says.

Agarwal said students can build their networks by interacting with other classmates and alumni through student organizations, study groups and networking events.

“Women who attend business school can develop connections with people who can provide support, encouragement and valuable insight as they navigate their business school experience,” she said, adding that female MBA students should seek out mentorship, career advice and networking opportunities.

“At this point in their lives, many women are beginning to think about how to balance a successful career with raising a family, so it's beneficial to learn from other women leaders about how they've managed to balance demanding careers with raising children,” Van Harten says.

Sangster says it's important to build a network while in business school: “These connections will help you in your first job after your MBA and in other roles throughout your career. Seek out women leaders you want to model your career after.”

While in business school, it's important to find the right balance between school and outside life.

“Women should prioritize activities and endeavors that bring them joy, fulfillment and balance outside of their academic and professional responsibilities,” Agarwal says.

She says students need to remember that “their well-being” — personally, academically and professionally — is paramount to their long-term success and happiness.

“Be persistent,” Agca says. “Reflect on your failures and use the lessons you learned to move forward. Have a growth mindset, take risks, believe in yourself, and enjoy school.”

And don't forget to have fun and make friends along the way, Cross says.

“Business school is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet a diverse range of people, so challenge yourself to balance socializing with studying.”