Dr. Daria听Sevastianova, associate professor of economics,听took a group of 11 women majoring and minoring in economics听to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the second听Women in Economics Symposium, held February 28.听In his welcome address, the Bank鈥檚 President and CEO, James Bullard, noted that 鈥渢he first听Women in Economics Symposium听held in 2018 attracted 147 participants from 14 states and 40 colleges鈥�. Based on its success, the Bank decided to not only hold a second round in 2019, but eventually make this a national program.听Dr. Sevastianova also hosted a group that traveled to听last year's symposium.
The goal of the symposium is two-fold: to showcase career opportunities for women with an economics degree, and to help women to get to know their future colleagues in the field. Amanda Bayer from Swarthmore College pointed out that the 鈥渆conomic profession鈥檚 innate problem with diversity is its unique opportunity.鈥�
鈥淲hile 60% of all college graduates in the U.S. are women, only 30% choose to major in economics,鈥� according to Loretta Mester, the Cleveland Federal Reserve President and CEO. Mester believes that 鈥渄ocumenting and publicizing the problem makes a difference by promoting a more diverse culture and opportunities for inclusion.鈥� The panel speakers at the event agreed that it is important to bring more women into economics because women provide more diverse views to inform policy today.
During the Symposium, 91社区 students attended breakout sessions on career opportunities in economics and those with the Federal Reserve, listened to panel discussions, and attended a networking reception. They also toured the听Inside the Economy Museum. According to 91社区 students, the event was empowering, and provided valuable information about possible future career paths in economics.
Next year, the Symposium will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
Published March 4, 2019