A COMPARISON OF PERCEIVED CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCES OF MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) GRADUATES FOR THE PURPOSES OF COUNSELING AND RECRUITING WOMEN WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze career choices and goals of male and female Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates. The study compared male and female responses to questions concerning: perceived career influences, former educational curricula, demographic data, present career positions and future goals. Marketing and Distributive Education courses for females in high school are recommended as a viable means for an early introduction to business concepts.;It was found that males and females showed no difference in their career influences and career counseling. There was a difference between males and females curricula, demographic data, career-ladder positions and earnings.;From the responses on the write-in questions, males and females answered similarly in all areas. They stated that the MBA programs were too theoretical and not related to industry enough and that there should be more career counseling and teaching of interpersonal skills. Most agreed that work experience was essential for success in the MBA Program.;A list of implications, recommendations, and recommendations for further research are included in the study.;The population used for this study was the Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates from Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania for the five-year period 1976 to 1980. A random sample of 500 names and addresses were selected from the population of 4146. A total response of 348 was received, yielding approximately a 70% rate of return.