Gender Differences in Work and Life Paths among PhD Holders in Italy

The present paper follows in the wake of previous works that have shown changes and stability regarding female educational and working participation in STEM. Our previous analyzes (De Vita, Giancola, 2017, 2021), have shown several solid evidence. First, we could observe how the paths (both study and work) in STEM are formed at a very early age (with important implications for policies aimed at reduction in gender inequalities). We then saw that the gender variable does not act autonomously but acts combined with the social background, creating further differentiation effects «within» the STEM areas. Finally, we have been able to observe that having a high degree in STEM has a relative protective effect for women (in terms of positioning in the labor market) but that a still substantial salary differential persists. In this paper, using the latest ISTAT data produced as part of the survey on the professional insertion of PhD's holders, we will focus on the observation of the previously estimated trends (female participation and differentiation «within» STEM) after graduation at higher level in the education system. The survey (whose data were published in 2019 and refer to the cohorts of PhD's holders who obtained the title in 2012 or 2014, interviewed in 2018) allows precise comparability, a feature that makes the previously listed analyzes possible. Starting from the database, a specific focus will then be directed to the «University-work transition», developing a differential analysis with respect to gender and ascriptive factors. The basic idea is to estimate the factors that most produce gender differences with respect to employment and income size, with a specific focus on the STEM field. Another aspect of interest is to investigate parenthood, having as a control parameter other data on compatible populations (by age and survey period). The paper therefore aims to investigate continuities and discontinuities but also to investigate specific thematic aspects that allow a more in-depth and detailed analysis of social mechanisms and dynamics with respect to differences and inequalities at the highest level of education and in the following life and work paths.