Gender gaps in career opportunities: a look at graduates in the field of business and economics in Uruguay

Abstract

Based on a novel dataset, we examine the gender gaps in the career opportunities of university graduates in accountancy, administration and economics in Uruguay. We find no significant gender differences in graduation marks, time to degree or the likelihood of attaining upper-level job positions shortly after graduation. However, the gaps emerge 7 years after graduation. We show that women are 10% points less likely than men to advance in the job ranking. Additionally, their probability of working full-time is 17% points lower. These chances are reduced even further when children are present. From the supply side, soon after degree women express a stronger preference than men for job stability and free time outside work. Our findings point to a “glass ceiling effect” that persists even within a specific and highly-rewarded skill group and a gender-balanced field of study in the country.