When Does it start? The gender gap and the university-work transition

Gender inequality persists globally, evident in the gender pay gap and women’s underrepresentation in leadership roles. While much research exists on workplace equality, there is limited understanding of when and where these gaps emerge. Many economists cite human capital theory to explain these disparities, but this approach faces significant criticism. This study analyzes early indicators of gender pay and leadership gaps among students, challenging human capital explanations and offering a more nuanced view of how these gaps develop. Focusing on the university-to-work transition, it examines gendered experiences before and during early career stages. Using data from annual surveys of STEM and business graduates in an Australian work-integrated learning program, we uncover a gender pay gap at entry-level, particularly in Business, and highlight the early underrepresentation of women in leadership programs. These findings underscore the importance of university data in understanding and addressing gendered inequalities, offering insights for policy and career preparation