RA Jobs for Undergrads

If you’re an undergraduate student interested in becoming an economist or pursuing an advanced degree in economics, a research assistantship can be a rewarding experience. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to an apprenticeship under an economist, and you’ll get to see what real research looks like.

Is the PhD Right for Me? How Do I Get In?

What I Wish I Told Myself

  • Seek out help, early.
  • 70% of success is showing up.
  • Listen to the news, and spend ten minutes a day learning about economics research. The NBER working paper newsletter is excellent. The NBER Digest is also good for shorter, high-level summaries.
  • Think of your own research questions early. The RAs who get ahead are the ones thinking proactively about the research, consistently trying to work that muscle.
  • You are often your own worst critic. Learn to have faith in your own work and believe in the process.
  • The only way to find out if you like doing research is to do research.
  • If it was easy, everyone would do it.