‘Not Rewarding’, ‘Not Relevant’, ‘Not Interesting’: Career Choices of Female Economics Students

Abstract

AbstractIncreasing female participation rates in undergraduate economics programs are not reflected in increasing female representation in the ranks of academic economists. Approximately 42 per cent of undergraduate students are women but the percentage of women participating declines in postgraduate programs and in academic positions in economics departments, where approximately 26 per cent of academics are women. Female representation in the academic labour market has an importance beyond its numbers. A lack of female role models and mentors among academics is one factor that may affect students’ motivation and career aspirations. We use the results of a national survey of Australian economics students to assess the relative importance of a number of factors in the career choices for postgraduate and undergraduate students in economics. We assess the factors that make academia an unattractive career choice for females.