The study of business at a women’s college provides a strong basis for success in the business world. Outside of the course material required, there are three traits offered at a women’s college that are essential to becoming a successful business woman. These traits include confidence, ethics, and leadership; all of which are also traits that companies look for in future employees.

Confidence is the first of these traits learned at a women’s college. While at co-ed colleges, confidence is overlooked in the classroom. It is perceived as a trait that you are to already possess when you come to college. At a women’s college, however, confidence is perceived as something to be learned through your studies. This learned behavior is reinforced in your actions. As one raises her hand in the classroom with something to say her confidence level shows. If her hand is low, she is unsure of her position on the argument, but still has some input. If her hand is high in the air, she knows that she has a good argument. Over time at a women’s college, this confidence level increases. You begin raising your hand higher and you stop answering questions as questions. You have confidence in yourself. This is a very important trait to possess as you enter the business world. We need confident women in the boardroom.

Also, as there are so many ethical dilemmas present in the business world at this time, a women’s college recognizes that students need to be prepared for this. Students need to know how to recognize an ethical dilemma, and taught how to handle it. There is no better place to learn ethics than at a women’s college thatthrives itself on honesty with their Honor Code. 

A women’s college provides for leadership, another important element of success in the business world. While at many co-ed colleges, many of the leadership positions are represented by men, a women’s college allows women to handle the leadership responsibilities in all different areas. From being the Student Government Association President, the Treasurer of the Recreation Association, a tutor, or a Big Sis to your Lil’ Sis class, there are endless opportunities to becoming a leader.

As I made the decision to go to a women’s college, the traits outlined here were not my initial reasons for attending. However, over time as I have grown to become who I am today, I am able to recognize that my choice of studying business at a women’s college was the right choice to make. I feel confident that when I graduate in just over a year and enter the business world, I will be successful because I possess these qualities.    

Written by Rene Dorton, Fall 2006