Institute works to recruit women into business school

Women only make up about one-third of business majors at IU, and the Kelley School of Business is working to change that, said Kathleen Robbins, director of Kelley’s undergraduate program.\nThe business school just finished its third year hosting the Young Women’s Institute, Robbins said, which is designed to educate and encourage young women to consider business as a career. The program consists of two one-week seminars and is open to female high-school juniors all over the world. \n“We find that a lot of women don’t really consider business as a career option because many high schools don’t offer any type of business classes,” Robbins said.\nDuring the program, 36 young women attended several business classes and listened to women speak about their careers in the male-dominated business world. As their assignment at the end of the program, everyone was asked to think of an idea for an online business that would appeal to teenagers, Robbins said.\nSophomore and business major Betsy Head said she attended the institute when she was a junior in high school.\n“I became aware of the multitude of great careers available in the business world,” she said. \nAlong with simply not being exposed to the opportunities available in business, Robbins said some women also might not want to claim business as a major because they think it will get in the way of having a family and social life. Head agreed, adding that her goal is finding that balance.\nAlthough the Kelley School of Business is competitive, Robbins said she encourages anyone to apply – male or female – because a business degree is so versatile.\n“The opportunities after college with a business degree are so broad that you can really do anything you want with that degree,” she said. \nSophomore and business major Stefanie Dohman attended the Young Women’s Institute when she was a high school junior as well and said being in the minority should make women fight harder to succeed in business.\n“Believe in yourself, and never give up,” she said. “And of course, enjoy whatever you decide to do.”