Des parcours genrés : Comment les diplômés des STEM s’en sortent-ils sur le marché du travail ?

Although research in the STEM field has extensively examined its gendered characteristics, the vast majority of the literature has concentrated on educational transitions and young adults. More limited attention has been devoted to the longer-term work trajectories of STEM majors, and how these are linked to family formation. In response, we exploit Finnish register data covering the years 1987–2022 to identify the most common work-family pathways followed by college-educated men and women with STEM majors in ages 30–40 (N=150,796). Given marked differences in gender proportions across STEM fields, we distinguish computer science and engineering majors from natural science majors. In a second step, we study gender differences in the returns to distinct work-family trajectories, in terms of earnings in ages 41–43. We report two main findings. First, we document clear evidence of gender disparities, whereby women are underrepresented in computer science and engineering careers even when they majored in these fields. However, family constraints do not appear to be a deterring factor. Instead, women are particularly underrepresented in computer science and engineering occupations when they are coupled with non-normative family situations (i.e., later parents and singles). Secondly, we observe gender differences in the returns to work-family trajectories. Women, who are employed in computer science and engineering, earn less than their male counterparts, and especially so if they are parents. Even though some women are therefore able to combine employment in computer science and engineering and parenthood, they do not benefit in terms of earnings.