Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 60% of graduate management education programs experienced a rise in female candidate applications in 2020. Comparably, in 2019, only 41% of programs did, according to a recent Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) study.
Part of the “mba.com Prospective Students Survey,” which included responses from over 1,000 participants from July to December, analyzed the motivations and career aspirations of female candidates pursuing a graduate management education on both a local and international scale. Looking specifically at female candidates, the data was divided into study destinations and program types.
“We at GMAC are highly committed to not only helping the schools and all stakeholders understand the diversity of our candidates, but also offer tools and resources which can help bridge that gap,” said Dr. Rahul Choudaha, director of industry insights and research communications at GMAC.
The focus on career advancement plays a factor into the recent growth of female applicants.
“When the unemployment is so high, then the competition for good jobs is even higher,” said Choudaha.
For 84% of prospective females, having the opportunity for a promotion or advancement was rated “extremely or very important”, while 85% agreed that a graduate business degree stands out on a resume, the survey found.
Employers have higher confidence in individuals with a graduate management education due to their ability to communicate and versatile skillset that allows them to adapt to changing work environments and manage the technological disruptions, said Choudaha.
