Slighty OT: Jobs in applied econometrics

[Pehr]

I don't really no where else to ask this, but this seems like the most knowledgeable place on the econ job market.

Is it possible to get a job doing applied econometric work (in really any field) straight out of undergrad? Or do most of those types of jobs require an advanced degree?

[gbea]

Somewhat.
You are not going to be able to do cutting edge stuff obviously. And watch out, a lot of jobs that look interesting at your level end up primarily involving spreadsheets.
It also depends if you are looking for a limited term internship type employment or a career. It is my (Canadian) perception that there are more interesting opportunities in the former than the latter for a person with no grad experience.

[ilikefreefood]

Lots of RA jobs involve applied econometric work, as do some consulting jobs. However, most of these jobs are not designed as career positions, they're designed for people that will be going to school after a few years.

If you are really interested in applied econometric work, but don't want a PhD, you should consider going back to school eventually to get a Masters in Applied Economics. Your opportunities will be more limited than they would be with a PhD, but there are definitely career opportunities in government and elsewhere that you could pursue with this degree.

[Pehr]

Originally Posted by ilikefreefood

Lots of RA jobs involve applied econometric work, as do some consulting jobs. However, most of these jobs are not designed as career positions, they're designed for people that will be going to school after a few years.

If you are really interested in applied econometric work, but don't want a PhD, you should consider going back to school eventually to get a Masters in Applied Economics. Your opportunities will be more limited than they would be with a PhD, but there are definitely career opportunities in government and elsewhere that you could pursue with this degree.

Yes, I've thought a lot about getting a Masters in Applied Economics. Is there any kind of rankings for those programs? Or is it more of a "go where you want to work" type of thing?

[walt526]

I'm not aware of any formal rankings of MAE programs. Generally speaking, European programs are considered superior to US.

If you're only interested in a Masters and have a solid BA-level understanding of economic theory, then I would strongly suggest considering a MS in Applied Statistics in a program where you can take Econometrics courses as electives. MA-level theory won't provide you with a very marketable skill set and won't add that much to your understanding of economics if your undergrad courses were any good.

[Pehr]

Originally Posted by walt526

I'm not aware of any formal rankings of MAE programs. Generally speaking, European programs are considered superior to US.

If you're only interested in a Masters and have a solid BA-level understanding of economic theory, then I would strongly suggest considering a MS in Applied Statistics in a program where you can take Econometrics courses as electives. MA-level theory won't provide you with a very marketable skill set and won't add that much to your understanding of economics if your undergrad courses were any good.

What kind of pre-reqs would I need for a MS in Applied Stats, generally speaking?

[SlowLearner38]

Originally Posted by Pehr

What kind of pre-reqs would I need for a MS in Applied Stats, generally speaking?

From the department websites I've visited, I'd say the mode set of suggested minimum requirements is calculus 1-2, linear algebra, and calculus based probability and/or statistical theory.

[Ludwig]

Originally Posted by walt526

MA-level theory won't provide you with a very marketable skill set and won't add that much to your understanding of economics if your undergrad courses were any good.

I've been in both non-PhD MA courses and PhD courses and I'd say that this is mostly true. MA-level theory seems to just be watered down PhD stuff, a huge chunk of which I already learned or was equipped with the tools to handle in intermediate micro.

However, if you can take PhD level courses to satisfy the requirements of an MA, that would raise its value. My econometrics course was very helpful and would have provided the bulk of the skills I would have taken to the statistics-oriented job market, had I decided to go that route.