Each summer, a number of economics faculty members typically hire
student Research Assistants (RAs). Qualifications that are most in
demand include knowledge of econometrics, experience working with data,
and in some cases computer programming skills. If you are interested in
such a job, taking Economics 255 or equivalent will be often be very
helpful, and taking one or more computer programming courses can be
invaluable. The work of a summer research assistant will vary in
nature, from research in the usual sense--estimating econometric
equations, writing software for economic modeling, doing library
searches and writing summaries of articles, searching for data, and
writing literature reviews--to much lower level things like
photocopying, proofreading, filing, preparing mass mailings, and
entering data into spreadsheets or word processing programs. We try to
make sure every RA has a mix of the more exciting and more mundane
things to do, and in any event we will let you know in advance of your
accepting a position just what it is we expect you to do.
Research assistants are paid a stipend (typically $3,400 for ten weeks
of full-time work) and provided with subsidized housing (if located in
Williamstown).
In early February we send out a memo to all economics and political
economy majors, as well as sophomores who have taken any of the core
economics courses, requesting applications for research assistant
positions. Many student research assistants are matched with
professors through this process. If you are interested in a
summer research assistant job, it can also be a good idea to directly
contact a professor you know well and with whom you are interested in
working, in order to inquire about summer employment
opportunities. Most decisions about summer employment and funding
are made in early- to mid-March.
If you have any questions about summer research assistant
opportunities in economics, contact the Economics Department's Research
Director. For academic year 2008-2009, the Research Director is
Prof. Lara Shore-Sheppard.