Scaling the Ivory Tower: Stories from Women in Business School Faculties

This book presents the detailed life stories of nine women academics in business faculties throughout North America. Three are in their early careers, three are facing tenure, and three are recognized leaders in their field. Each of the authors presents her story as a set of choices and reveals the alternatives and the decision making process. Many choices are a trade-off between different roles; teacher versus researcher, wife/mother versus professional, researcher versus administrator. Insights are developed and shared with the reader. The women academics in this book represent a wide variety of disciplines, ages, ethnicity, and family makeup. Their paths and insights are different, but their choices are similar, and recurring themes emerge. These are explored by the editors as they tie the stories together and interpret the individual tales. Through reading this book, graduate students and professors alike can get a glimpse into other's struggles and triumphs. They should emerge with specific strategies and a clear idea of the choices that lie ahead. Laypeople who always wondered what academics did with all their free time will get a glimpse into the diversity of responsibilities and opportunities that this profession entails.

The detailed life stories of nine women academics in North American business faculties--three in their early careers, three at tenure time, and three who are recognized leaders in their field. Their stories are interpreted as a set of choices, and the insights and strategies are developed for the reader.

Booknews

A collection of real, contemporary stories of women academics in university business faculties at different stages in their career development. Each contributor presents a first-person account of her experiences related to career decisions and choices. The accounts reflect the challenges, rewards, inconsistencies, support systems, and the highs and lows of the chosen path. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

DIANNE CYR is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University.

BLAIZE HORNER REICH is Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University.