Our RAs offer their thoughts on the RA experience and their day to day at the Fed!
"By contributing to the economic research work at such a prestigious institution with hundreds of PhD economists, I can honestly evaluate whether economic research and pursuing a PhD is the right path for me.”
Jose Nino,
Research Assistant
“As a summer intern at the Chicago Fed, I learned to collaborate with others and was encouraged to pursue a career in research. I have felt right at home during my time as a Research Assistant. This experience has prepared me for a PhD program by allowing me to coauthor publications, work with influential economists, further improve my technological skills, and play a role in policymaking.”
Emma LaGuardia,
former Chicago Fed Intern and RA, currently PhD candidate at the University of Michigan
“Being an RA has given me the chance to explore and expand my interest in economics in a professional setting. In addition, I’ve been able to see first-hand the important role academic research plays in policymaking.”
Larissa Chan,
Research Associate
Research assistants engage in a wide variety of work and activities and throughout the day.
As a research assistant, you'll work alongside economists throughout the full lifecycle of research projects. Projects typically start with looking at a policy question and theory, reading the literature on the topic, then selecting and gathering data to test the theory.
After the data collection process, you will then perform data cleaning, regression analysis, and produce tables and graphs with the results.
Research findings are documented in policy briefings and working papers. RAs play an important role in helping to review all statistics, citations, and calculations reported in papers and ensuring that they are current before the paper is submitted to a journal or conference.
It’s not all about the work! You’ll have plenty of time for social and enrichment activities inside and outside of work. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences to hear from professionals in the fields of economics and policy.
About two-thirds of our RAs go on to pursue graduate degrees in economics and related fields.
Through on the job experience, supportive mentorship, training programs, and a tuition reimbursement plan, an RA position is an important pathway to grad school.
The skills you acquire as an RA are are also valuable and marketable in fields like public policy, political science, data science, statistics, and law.
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