Megan’s Story:

When I was a junior in high school, my physics teacher suggested that I find a field of study in college that was ‘feminine’, knowing that my level of effort in his class was minimal. I don’t know if he was suggesting that because I am female, I was not suited for math and science studies, or if he simply picked up on the fact that I didn’t see myself as suited for this type of work. Whichever reason that it was, it bothered me enough that I still wonder how many other young women he steered away from ‘masculine’ subjects. Even today, I think of this story when I conduct gender-based research.

I never intended to become so interested in statistics and research methods. After my B.A. in Journalism and my MBA, my first doctoral class was Nonparametric Statistics. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, but I did enjoy being good at it. I quickly learned that women are the minority in pursuing mathematics or statistics, and to specialize in these areas would be a differentiator. So I pursued statistics and research methods as a second field to management for my PhD. Today, I teach statistics to undergraduates and graduates, along with my management courses at Eastern Michigan University.

My research quickly refocused from raising people’s self-beliefs in general, to specifically focusing on women performing quantitative tasks. From the first data I collected in my dissertation to the data I collected this semester (10 years later), I consistently see that women see themselves as less capable than men in quantitative and complex decision making situations. Are they less capable? They appear to be, and this is not a statement of potential. Women certainly have the equivalent potential to men, as we know from research on IQ. However, if we see ourselves as less capable, we will be less interested, less persistent, and less attentive to achieving. In short, our belief that we are less capable leads us to be less capable.

My current research has focused on ways that we learn, and how business courses can improve women’s perceptions of capability. Some of these ways include using women role models in case studies, involving women speakers in our classes, and using internships/field studies at women-owned businesses. All of these methods increase our college students’ (women and men) perceptions that gender is not a predictor of capability in high-level decision making, and that is one further step to breaking the glass ceiling!

My mentor encouraged me to have enough confidence in myself to build a management career while attending college. After I graduated from college, I started running my own business! I achieved all these things while I worked full time and attending school full time. I was able to keep my husband, my two small children, and my home, healthy and happy during those years! I now believe that I can achieve anything!

Cleary University	Business Management	Bachelors Degree 2006
Financial Services Institute	Accident, Life & Health	2005
Dearborn Financial Institute	Series 7, 24, and 63	2000 – 2001
Lansing Community College	Business Administration	1996 - 1997

Sandy’s Story:

Through her interview for Red Heel Profiles, Sandy graciously shares her amazing ability to overcome challenges in life that few, if any of us encounter; and recounts her climb to World Champion status in the horse world. Her Red Heel Profile is posted in the Red Heel Resource Library, accessible to High Heel members. Be sure to read and listen to Sandy’s story. She has a can-do spirit that doesn’t quit in spite of repetitive challenges and setbacks. Sandy is certified by the Red Cross in pet first aid, has years of experience as a professional horse trainer and a life long love and ownership of countless four-legged friends. May we all conquer our challenges as confidently as Sandy! She shares her principles for success in  this 45 minute interview.