Pipeline Problem

A pipeline problem refers to a trend that is exacerbated as one ascends the ranks. For example, the representation of women in color in high-level executive jobs is much lower than that of lower-level jobs: they represent only 3% of top executives. Pipeline problems such as this one are thus not about ambition or desire to move up in the ranks, but rather about a lack of mentorship. People tend to mentor others who are like them, and thus if one does not have mentors who are like her, she will likely fall through the cracks. Further, it perpetuates a societal problem in which people do not visualize black women in high up positions. Consequently, pipeline problems reproduce themselves and create a cycle.