Completing the advanced degree can help women employees enter the male-dominated world of senior management, writes Meg Shreve
After seven years spent working in marketing and owning a restaurant and bar in the US, Fiona O'Connor knew in 2001 that it was time to return home to pursue a full-time MBA programme at UCD's Smurfit School of Business.
For O'Connor, the advanced degree had "always been part of the plan". It gave her an opportunity to expand her knowledge of the fundamentals of business, and a chance to "revisit the learning curve" by bringing her work experience back into the classroom.
After graduation, O'Connor worked for four years as a senior brand manager at drinks company Woodford Bourne and recently became retail marketing manager at Paddy Power bookmakers. She credits her MBA experience with helping her "get her foot into the door and through the interview process".
Despite the success of women like O'Connor, women still make up a small percentage of the business world.
At UCD, 22 per cent of the current full-time and 29 per cent of the part-time MBA class is female while, at DCU, women make up 24 per cent of the total MBA programme. Only Trinity's current class is close to equal representation. Almost 46 per cent of its current full-time class is female.
And, according to a recent survey by the 2005 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women remain underrepresented in the start up of new firms, with only 5.5 per cent of Irish women involved in early stage entrepreneurial activity.
Irish recruiters also see the divide. "Women are still very underrepresented in senior management in indigenous and multinational firms in Ireland," said Gilda Kelly business manager of sales at recruitment firm CPL.
For women looking to move ahead in the business world, an MBA may open the right doors just as it would for men, according to some experts.
An advanced degree is becoming a prerequisite for many senior positions and it can be one way for women to have the confidence to seek out higher level positions in what can often be perceived as a "male-dominated environment", Kelly said.
At the recent Women's MBA Forum at UCD's Michael Smurfit School of Business, four past and current students, including O'Connor, discussed their MBA experiences. Some were motivated by a desire to change profession or develop a wider range of business skills.
For 2003 full-time programme graduate Tamara Jaradat, an MBA added a "wow factor" to her CV and gave her aoverview of the business and finance world. As an undergraduate, she studied architecture and, after graduation, worked mainly in cultural development.
Drawn to the business side of international development, she decided to pursue her degree at UCD. The MBA, she told prospective students, helped her develop vital business tools such as networking, presentation and negotiation skills. Jaradat emphasised that an MBA "helps women in the business world" and "gives you a push up the ladder".
For others like Helen Prendergast, group programme manager for the Bank of Ireland Group's Sarbanes-Oxley programme and an MBA graduate in 2000, the advanced degree signalled a commitment to her profession and her company.
After working for Bank of Ireland since she was 18, Prendergast felt she was viewed as a "hard worker" and "good employee", but not management material. The MBA allowed her to "change the perception of me", she told attends.
Bank of Ireland even sponsored her programme and Prendergast balanced work with classes by coming in early and staying late to make up for the days she missed at lectures.
As she moved up the management ladder at Bank of Ireland, she was seen as someone who could manage a diverse group of people and deliver, she said.
Before applying for any programme, Kelly suggests prospective students research a variety of universities and compare their requirements to the student's individual needs and goals. A degree is an enhancement and should "bridge gaps" in areas of business that the student lacks experience.
Once accepted, it's important to try to relate to everyone on the programme. MBAs attract a variety of people from different industries who come with a "kaleidoscope of experience", said Hayes. Caroline McDonagh, currently a part-time MBA student at DCU, advised prospective students to take a "holistic approach" towards a programme. Pursuing an MBA is not just about knowledge, but a "personal journey", as you develop personal skills such as teamwork and leadership, she added.
Prospective students can look at an MBA as an investment in a future career. The cost of a part-time, two-year long programme could run to almost €15,000 per year.
Employee sponsorship is a possibility. It is a good idea, especially for someone who is committed to her company and sees herself contributing and moving up the management ladder in the future, said Prendergast.
Prospective MBA candidates should pick a good time to sit down with their supervisor to discuss commitment to the company and what a degree can bring to the firm. They should remember to be realistic about the time needed to complete the degree and suggest a plan to handle the extra workload, according to UCD literature.
Regardless of the route, an MBA does not guarantee a ticket into senior management, but what it will do is provide a springboard to the next level.
