Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Students who would like to explore possible research careers in economics are encouraged to develop a range of skills: problem-solving, expository writing, and being able to give clear presentations are all very important.

We strongly recommend such students supplement the required economics curriculum with Mathematics and Statistics courses. Some computer programming exposure is also helpful.

Working as a research assistant gives students an insider view of the many aspects of an extended research project. For details on how to prepare for and obtain such a job, attend the meetings for economics majors which meet in the first weeks of each quarter or schedule an appointment to speak with one of the co-directors of the program.

Students may look to a number of different options to obtain research experience:

The Honors Workshop gives students the opportunity to pursue an independent research project. Faculty advisers and the workshop directors set target dates for proposals, provide feedback, and arrange a forum for presentations. The honors B.A. workshop (Econ 29800) admits students who meet the minimum GPA requirements and who talk to us in their third year regarding preparatory work.

In all cases, it is important that during their third year, students focus their research question, take the classes that will provide the research methodology, and begin discussing their research plans with potential faculty advisers and with the college economics program directors.

Faculty members in the economics department and in other schools on campus often require assistants.

Full-time research jobs are also available in Chicago and in other cities. Economics students are encouraged to consult with the office of Career Advancement and make sure they subscribe to the economic program mailing lists designed for this purpose.

Additional Information

Students interested in a Research Assistant position should self-subscribe to the Research Assistant listserv. All research job openings are listed on the Listhost.

For those wishing to recruit our economics students for Research Assistant work please contact Julie Wong.