Education History of Current Female Executives in the National Hockey League

This report provides a quantitative representation of the educational attainments and specializations of current female executives in the National Hockey League. By identifying the most common pathways to a career in the National Hockey League, including undergraduate institution rigor, undergraduate major, and graduate pursuits, this analysis strives to find an approximate “standard” for female executives. Definitively, findings from this study serve as a standard for the criterion needed to excel as a female executive in the National Hockey League.

Subjects in this study were identified through their respective organization’s front office staff listings. Females who had executive roles, roles as senior vice president or vice president, or assistant general manager were incorporated into this study. To determine their undergraduate institutions, undergraduate majors, and graduate pursuits, information was gathered from professional networking websites. To assess the rigor of the undergraduate institutions, the US News and World Report Education database was utilized. 

Out of 111 identified female executives, only 78 had an undergraduate institution listed in their professional networking profiles. 10 of the 78 institutions were located outside of the US, making the acceptance rates unknown. 9 of 78 females did not have an undergraduate major listed with their undergraduate institution, yet the prevalence of a double major option raised the amount of total, individual undergraduate majors to 78. Majors were categorized into 14 categories based on similarity.  

The average acceptance rate of the undergraduate institutions attended by the current female executives is 53.2%, suggesting that attending a highly or hyper-selective institution is not essential to success in the National Hockey League. The most prevalent majors for current female executives are business/management related, with 37.2% majoring in such. Notably, 14.1% of the subjects majored in communications, and 7.7% majored in political science. A business/management related degree fixes the highest probability for hiring and success in the National Hockey League, yet in view of the fact that less than half majored in degrees as such, it is not essential to success. 

Of those who completed an undergraduate education, 35.9% attended a graduate institution. 39.3% of those who continued their education received a Juris Doctor, and 21.4% received a master of business administration. 10.7% received a master degree in sports management. While receiving a graduate degree may be beneficial, it is not essential to success as a female executive in the National Hockey League. 

All in all, there are many paths to success as a female executive in the National Hockey League. Attending an average undergraduate institution and majoring in a field similar to the prospect’s desired role will start a road to success for females looking to work in the National Hockey League. Completion of a graduate degree does not determine success, yet it aids to the chances of making it to an executive role.