How Can An MBA Set Women In Business For Success?

Explore ESMT Berlin’s resources that empower female students to thrive.

Breaking into leadership roles as a woman in the business world has traditionally been an uphill battle. While progress is being made, challenges remain, with women holding just 28.2% of management positions globally. At ESMT Berlin, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for women pursuing an MBA: we are proud to share that the current Full-time MBA cohort at ESMT Berlin has reached a record-breaking 58% female representation.

A Strong Network: Women in Leadership Club and MentorMap

Building a supportive community of professionals is essential for career growth. At ESMT, students can engage with a variety of student clubs, including the Women in Leadership club. Founded as a student-led initiative in 2021, this club has grown into a dynamic platform for mentorship, networking, and empowerment. One of its founding members, Victoire Ferrari, was even featured in Poets&Quants’ Best & Brightest MBA list in 2022. Each year, the club hosts a flagship event open to all ESMT students, featuring workshops, discussions, and inspiring talks on female leadership and career advancement that welcomes women and men to the conversation.

In addition to creating an intentional networking strategy, MBA students are encouraged to take advantage of mentoring and coaching opportunities. The Alumni Relations team at ESMT has recently launched MentorMap, a strategic mentorship program connecting students and alumni in a structured way. Female students can decide, for example, if they would like the mentorship of another woman in business, who can offer guidance on challenges affecting women in the workplace.

Addressing Workplace Challenges

Shattering the glass ceiling is no easy task. Research shows that women often face systemic obstacles, including biases in hiring and salary negotiations, as well as external pressures that can contribute to imposter syndrome. Many women feel the need to meet every qualification in a job description before applying, and during negotiation tend to undervalue their worth and initiate salary discussions at lower rates than their male counterparts.

To help female professionals navigate these challenges, ESMT’s Career Development Center team provides tailored coaching and guidance to its Full-time MBA and master’s students. Whether it’s tailoring their CVs for success, refining negotiation strategies or building confidence in leadership roles, our team ensures that every student is well-equipped for their next workplace, considering gender, ethnicity, and other factors that shape their experiences in the labor market.

Taking Advantage of Berlin’s Networking Opportunities

Beyond campus, Berlin’s thriving entrepreneurial scene offers a wealth of networking opportunities. ESMT students are actively involved in off-campus events, connecting with professionals from different industries. Andreza André da Rocha, Senior Career Development & Employer Relations Manager at ESMT, participates in female-focused professional networks such as Women of SaaS and BBWB, a community supporting Germany-based Brazilian women professionals. “Networking remains essential when looking for a job and might be the effort that tips the scales in a candidate’s favor,” she says.

These are just two of several groups in Berlin dedicated to the professional development of female professionals. With multiple events happening at ESMT and across the city each week, students have plenty of chances to build meaningful connections.

Paving The Way to Success

Full-time MBA students have five coaching sessions in their curriculum, complementing the support provided by the Career Development Center. Many students have never experienced coaching before; working with an experienced coach on their goals, exploring interests and overcoming mental obstacles are just some of ways they can benefit from coaching. The process can be especially helpful for those who feel a bit lost professionally or want to pivot their career, but coaching is known for bringing hidden wishes and ideas to the surface and helping clients to regain their confidence and pursue new career paths.

For those new to the practice, coaching can be a challenging experience at first. A good coach will consistently challenge limiting beliefs, asking questions such as: What would you do if everything was possible? What is stopping you from pursuing and achieving your goals? What achievements would you like to celebrate five years from now? Getting rid of limiting beliefs is essential for a successful MBA experience.

Other recommendations to ensure female students have a rewarding MBA experience are taking advantage of opportunities in and outside the classroom, being open to reflection and failure, and seeking meaningful connections. They don’t need to pursue personal and professional growth alone, and while being independent and self-sufficient is an advantage, the professionals who thrive the most are those who allow themselves to be inspired and guided by others – professors, coaches, mentors, managers, and other fulfilled professional women.

Independently of how many years of experience they have, their previous position and industry, women who decide to embark on a transformative MBA journey can benefit from these simple but helpful pieces of advice:

Asking for help or insights is a superpower. It is okay not to know everything – asking can take you far.
Extracurricular and volunteering experiences add value to your profile. Think of transferable skills that can be applied in a different setting.
Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. It might take time (and effort) to reap the benefits of a growing network.
Whether you like it or not, you have a personal brand. It is worth defining, polishing and promoting it; being visible and being remembered for your expertise can make all the difference when marketing your services or applying for jobs.
Know your worth. During a salary negotiation, for instance, it is important to avoid the common traps that prevent women from growing in their careers in the same pace as their male counterparts and being fairly compensated for their work.

Scholarships That Make Your MBA Dream Possible

Financing an MBA is a worthwhile investment in your future, but it can also be a significant hurdle. To support female professionals in pursuing their goals, ESMT Berlin offers Women in Business scholarships across all MBA programs this year: 10 scholarships each in the Full-time, Part-time, and Global Online MBA programs, as well as five scholarships of €12,960 in the Executive MBA program. Combined with early application awards and other financial support, these scholarships make an MBA more accessible and help women take the next step in their careers with confidence.

By combining scholarships, networking opportunities, coaching, and mentorship, ESMT Berlin ensures that female students have the tools they need to thrive during and beyond their MBA experience.

Andreza André da Rocha is a Senior Career Development & Employer Relations Manager at ESMT Berlin, career advisor and coach specialized in supporting international talent to navigate the murky waters of the German job market. She provides advice and training on topics such as personal branding, job search strategy and job interviews. Originally from Porto Alegre, Brazil, Andreza has a PhD in Applied Media Studies and extensive experience in the German higher education sector.