Yellen says women face many obstacles in economics careers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Janet Yellen, the first woman to head the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury Department, says women seeking to pursue careers in economics face a number of obstacles from the way beginning economics courses are taught to overly aggressive questioning questions in college seminars.

“There is a cultural problem in the profession, and we need to change the culture,” Yellen said Monday. She was appearing at an event with Kristalena Georgieva, only the second woman to head the International Monetary Fund.

The two, who spoke at the event recognizing International Women's Day, discussed the obstacles they both faced embarking on economics careers, a profession where even today, women are in a distinct minority to men.

Yellen said studies have shown that the way economics is taught in introductory courses is often a “turn off” for women because the beginning courses do not focus enough on how economics can improve people's lives.

“The pipeline issue really starts early,” Yellen said. “There are a lot of people who are thinking about how can we reach economics in such a way that it shows women that it is a great way to improve human welfare.”

She said women pursuing degrees in economics often face more hostile questioning in college seminar classes from the men in the class, adding to the hurdles women have to face in pursuing advanced degrees.

Georgieva, who was a top official at the World Bank before taking over at the IMF, said she often encourages women to “don't be shy, please apply” as a way to overcome the reluctance of women to pursue promotions. “Women may be more self-critical and forego opportunities” in male-dominated organizations.

She said on her first visit to the World Bank to make a presentation, she was wearing...