Elite MBAs and the Curse of the Smart (Single) Woman

• In Event: 226 - Regular Session. Elites

Abstract

Elite MBAs and the curse of the smart (single) woman:
How marital status and talent in math affect early career promotions

This project investigates the early career patterns of professional managers in the United States. Specifically, we examine and compare the career mobility of men and women immediately upon their graduation from an elite business school and into the first few years of their employment. Contrary to dominant theory on the labor market penalties to married women due to their lower workforce commitment (Becker, 1985; Polachek, 1975), we find single women the most disadvantaged group. We use our unique data on MBA graduates as well as experimental survey data to provide evidence that single women talented in quantitative skills are penalized on the professional labor market in terms of promotions. This occurs whether they stay at the firm or move across firms. We investigate possible explanations, with early evidence in support of a discrimination explanation based on the role conflict that single women face in negotiating their femininity in the traditionally aggressive male business environment.

Authors

• Jennifer M. Merluzzi, Tulane University

• Damon Jeremy Phillips, Columbia University