Argh! How can I get into economics?!?

[wind up bird]

Do any of your professors have connections at the places you're applying, or would they be willing to make a call for you?

[scrobles]

I would definitely ask my professors for help/advice, that's how I got my job after college. Also, if you are into development, check out the JPAL or IPA websites for post-college econ jobs.

[One on One]

I was in a similar situation as you. I was looking for research assistant jobs, but I stopped when I got my first funded offer. I applied to a lot of places, and I didn't get any interviews (except from the Fed recently). So if you haven't applied to the Fed, you should try.

Are you graduating this semester? Because, I think part of the reason I didn't get more interviews was that many of the jobs were looking for people to start immediately, and I couldn't start for six months (June was six months away at the time). So if you're graduating, just keep applying. I think you have a better chance of getting a job when you are closer to the date which you can start.

Also, as a diversification strategy, I would apply to some summer internship programs. With that under your belt, you'll be in a better position to get a job in the fall.

Thing is I need money so internships are out of the question. I know RAs don't get paid much, but I could get by with at least a full time salary.

[MathMathMath]

You think it's this? These positions are generally reserved for students who are interested in econ in some capacity...

If you've taken a number of courses in econ and math, how hard is it to write a coverletter saying you've come to realize now you're considering a PhD, you want to gain some research experience and whatever, and maybe cite a research paper or some programming project you had to do for a class. Also I know of people who enjoy both academic econ as well as wall st careers but decided to go for RA jobs after Wall St turned bad even though in previous years they'd have prioritized the quick $ from Wall St over the research path. Sure there are some Wall St people who would never be able to convincingly show that they want to RA, but there are tons of other smart econ/math people who could probably write a pretty convincing coverletter.

[breakz]

If you've taken a number of courses in econ and math, how hard is it to write a coverletter saying you've come to realize now you're considering a PhD, you want to gain some research experience and whatever, and maybe cite a research paper or some programming project you had to do for a class. Also I know of people who enjoy both academic econ as well as wall st careers but decided to go for RA jobs after Wall St turned bad even though in previous years they'd have prioritized the quick $ from Wall St over the research path. Sure there are some Wall St people who would never be able to convincingly show that they want to RA, but there are tons of other smart econ/math people who could probably write a pretty convincing coverletter.

Yeah this is fair enough. I wonder if it would pass muster once they interviewed these candidates?

Either way this job market is super competitive for finding full-time RA work.

[breakz]

.....