Career paths and career success in the early career stages of male and female MBAs

Abstract

This study tests hypotheses about the relations between gender, career paths, and career success in a sample of MBAs. Findings indicate that women in managerial careers did not differ from men on total promotions and career satisfaction but did experience lower salary increases, fewer management promotions, and lower hierarchical levels compared to men of similar education, age, experience, performance, and career paths. In addition, starting salaries, starting job levels, job mobility, line experience, and company seniority were found to affect one or more of the career success measures. The findings have implications for the locus of bias in gender-based differences in career experience.