An evaluation a mentoring program for women enrolled in university economics courses. During the program, students were matched with mid-level or senior women economists and were encouraged to meet at least 4 times during the course of the year. The program also included 3 networking events. 

The program’s aim was to encourage students to continue with their economics studies and pursue a career in economics. It sought to do this by providing students with a role model, a broader perspective on career options for economics graduates, and an insight into the practical applications of economics. 

The mentoring program was evaluated using a mixed-methods randomised controlled trial with a small sample (88 students), drawing on a combination of university administrative data and surveys at the commencement and conclusion of the program. 

Each source of evidence, individually, had limitations. Nonetheless, taken together, the report concludes that the evidence suggests the mentoring program had a material impact on students’ decisions to continue with economics. 

Key findings

• Students in the mentoring program were around 13 percentage points more likely to continue with economics, when compared with a control group. However, this estimate is imprecise due to the sample size.
• In an end-of-program survey, 70 per cent of student respondents agreed they were more likely to pursue a job in economics due to the mentoring program.