Does Exposure to More Women in Male-Dominated Fields Render Female Students More Career-Oriented?

60 Pages Posted: 23 Feb 2021 Last revised: 17 May 2023

See all articles by Bruna Borges

Bruna Borges

Sao Paulo School of Economics - FGV

Fernanda Estevan

Sao Paulo School of Economics - FGV

Date Written: May 15, 2023

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in male-dominated fields of study can generate a lack of role models for female students, influencing their career choices. We investigate whether having higher shares of female professors and classmates throughout undergraduate studies in Economics affects female students' labor market outcomes up to five years after graduation. To deal with self-selection into professors and peers, we exploit the assignment rule of students to course sections at the prestigious University of Sao Paulo and focus on mandatory courses. We find that female peers and professors impact female students' labor outcomes through role models, affecting different aspects of their careers.

Keywords: gender, economics, higher education, labor market

JEL Classification: J16, J24, I23

Suggested Citation

Borges, Bruna and Estevan, Fernanda, Does Exposure to More Women in Male-Dominated Fields Render Female Students More Career-Oriented? (May 15, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3789018 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3789018

Bruna Borges

Sao Paulo School of Economics - FGV ( email )

Rua Itapeva, 474
São Paulo, São Paulo 01332-000
Brazil
11999710552 (Phone)

Fernanda Estevan (Contact Author)

Sao Paulo School of Economics - FGV ( email )

Rua Itapeva 474 s.1202
São Paulo, São Paulo 01332-000
Brazil

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