Number of women seeking MBAs steady at SEMO, down nationally

Though there are fewer women applying for business school nationally, Southeast Missouri State University has had a steady 40 percent of women enrolled in its Master of Business Administration program since 2011.

According to the 2013 application trends survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council, U.S. News and World Report reported, the proportion of women applicants in five different kinds of MBA programs decreased compared to 2012 levels.

Dr. Ken Heischmidt is the director of Southeast's MBA program and has been with the program since 1995. He said the program has not seen sizable changes in male and female applications in the last five or six years.

The percentages of women enrolled in the Southeast MBA program decreased from 49.6 percent in 2007 to 44 percent in 2010, according to data provided by the university. In 2011, the percentage dropped further to 40 percent, where has remained.

Heischmidt said 40 percent is a "pretty good percentage," and he sees that number probably staying about the same in the future.

Women want an MBA as much as men do, he said, but a higher percentage of women drop out of the program to have a family. There is about a 50/50 ratio of male to female undergraduate business students, he said, and a 60/40 ratio of male to female graduate students in the program.

Heischmidt said what has increased is the number of students taking advantage of the online MBA program.

The school has had a "substantial increase in web students that we did not have six years ago," Heischmidt said, including many students who live in rural areas, as well as states around the country.

As the number of women in business school remains lower than men, it could make it harder for women in the classroom.

"Women are self-doubters," said Heather Howell, chairwoman of the National Association for Women MBAs, the U.S. News and World Report reported. Women often hesitate when evaluating what they're good at and how they can contribute to the class, she said. "There's a lack of confidence."

The article gave the following tips for women's success in business school:

* Raise your hand: Do not hesitate and give other students the chance to be called on. Speak up sooner.

* Speak with authority: Abandon negative qualifying statements ("I don't know if this is right, but ...") It detracts from the quality of the message.

* Look like you mean business: Dress in a professional manner. It communicates that you want to be taken seriously.

* Talk with professors: Get to know the professors who will be calling on you in class. The relationship also can be beneficial after business school.

Did you know?

According to the National Women's Business Council 2012 annual report, women own 30 percent, a total of 7.8 million, companies in the United States across all industries -- from mining and utilities to financing and insurance. Women business owners generate $1.2 trillion a year in sales, according to the report.