The Leaky Pipeline

Joleene DesRosiers left corporate America after 10 years. Like many women, “I told myself the only way I could wake up everyday happy was to go after my passions – so I did,” she says.

The number of women leaving senior management has been compared to a leaky pipeline. These days, it’s more like a flood.

While studies show 58 percent of undergrad degrees went to women last year – as did 50 percent of new jobs – women’s representation drops sharply from there: women hold 37 percent of manager jobs, 26 percent of VPs, only 14 percent of executive committees and 3 percent of CEOs.

“[Women] are leaving the ‘management pipeline’ to trickle elsewhere,” explains 

DesRosiers. “The result is an imbalance in offices and corporations.” Plus, women are lost from the pipeline through voluntary termination two to three times faster than men.

Today, DesRosiers pursues a career as a transformational speaker and author. “Stepping into the gray after spending a decade in the black and white” is the scariest part, she says.

Some say women who hang in there and work to advance have the best chance of moving up and enjoying the multiple benefits that come with more authority.

DesRosiers’ advice for other women? “Follow your gut,” and consider adult education options. She also recommends the book The Life You Were Born to Live for those “uncertain about where they want to go next.”

Bonus PINK Link: Maybe your job just needs reinventing – find out here.

By Cynthia Good

“If the boat leaks, take a different boat.” Unknown