Guide to Pursuing a PhD in Economics: Roadmap for Success
Explore the comprehensive roadmap for pursuing a PhD in Economics, including insights on why, where, how, and when to apply. Learn about the benefits, challenges, and preparation tips for a successful application process. Discover key alternatives, such as research assistantships, internships, and job-oriented seminars, to enhance your academic and career prospects in the field of economics.
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Placement Meeting Placement Meeting Francesco Sobbrio | Master of Science in Economics
Roadmap 1. PhD: why, where, how, when, tips 2. Alternative 1: Research Assistanships/Pre-Doc 3. Alternative 2: Internships Direct job postings 4. Job orienting seminars and Alumni day
Why Why a a PhD PhD in in Economics Economics? ? Long: 4-7 years, depending on places Tough: courses/exams, research is stressfull, scholarships lower than the wage you could get with a MSc But worth it: learn to do frontier research, access more skilled jobs (through a centralized job market), long-run satisfaction (higher wages, recognition, make a difference) | Master of Science in Economics
Where Where US: international, competitive, tough Europe: international, very good programs (UK, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, etc.) Italy: shorter (max 4 years) | Master of Science in Economics
How How GPA: do your best! GRE (quantitative): expensive, not easy, practice, do it in time (possibly more than once) Reference letters: get to know your professors, especially those with more international exposure Personal/Research statement: sincere, not standard, non AI, not naive Some applications have a fee (especially in the US, 50/100$) Some scolarships from outside: UniCredit, Bank of Italy | Master of Science in Economics
When When Have the GRE ready by September of the 2nd year (i.e., prepare it in the Summer), then repeat it by November (if necessary) September-November: talk to (your most beloved) professors about your grades and motivation Whole package ready by November-December, then send everywhere Deadlines: for the US is December, for Europe January-February, for Italy February-May (but check the webpage of each institution) Responses: late Winter/early Spring | Master of Science in Economics
Tips for Applying for PhD programs in economics American economic association Jessie Shapiro (2015?) "Notes on Applying for a PhD in Economics" - Prepared for undergraduate students at Brown University. Athey (undated) "Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Economics" - as the author is a professor at Harvard (and previously at Stanford and MIT), this advice is useful at least for applying to the top 5 schools . Rachael Meager (2012) How to get into a Top 10 Economics PhD Program (from Australia) Core Economics. Smith (2013) If you get a PhD, get an economics PhD - If you wonder about the merit of obtaining a PhD in economics Blattman (2010-2013) Frequently asked questions on PhD applications - If you are wondering whether you should apply for PhD in economics or in political science. Blattman (2007) "How to get a PhD *and* save the world" - This piece of writing targets prospective PhD students interested in development economics (and perhaps in other policy-oriented fields of economics). Mankiw (2013) Working Before Grad School - In case you are wondering if you should work for a short period before entering the PhD program. Mankiw (2010) Choosing a Graduate Program - If you receive more than one admission offers. thegradcafe.com
FAQ FAQ Am I worth a PhD? Apply, otherwise you don t know What if I am not sure? Again, apply! Then decide (you might change mind, might do better than expected, etc.) Can you help me? Of course (reference letters, circulate vacancies, one-to-one talks) | Master of Science in Economics
Alternative 1: Alternative 1: Research Research Assistantships Assistantships/ /Pre Pre- -Doc Doc One year of work as a RA with a renowed research group (e.g., Chicago, Zurich, UBC, others) Pros: an international experience, get to know good professors who might help you in the job search, or write a reference letter for a PhD/Internship/Job Again: requires good GPA + reference letters + motivation letter Deadlines: start in December-January, through the Spring EconJobMarket Econ RA Listings American Economic Association National Bureau of Economic Research | Master of Science in Economics Placement Meeting
Alternative 2: Alternative 2: Internships Internships Preferential entry for jobs in many institutions (governments, international organizations, private sector, etc.) Again: requires good GPA + reference letters + motivation letter Deadlines: all year round Where to look? Our direct job posting + be proactive! | Master of Science in Economics
Job Postings (Direct Contacts Direct Contacts): INSTITUTIONS INSTITUTIONS OECD ECB (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) IFAD CONSOB (European Central Bank) AGCM Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale (Autorita' Garante per la Concorrenza ed il Mercato) European Commission FAO
Job Postings (Direct Contacts Direct Contacts): Private SECTOR Private SECTOR I-Com, Medici senza frontiere DELOITTE LEAR (Istituto per la Competitivit ) Centro Studi Confindustira ENI Poste Italiane Ernst&Young
JOB ORIENTING SEMINARS AND ALUMNI DAY JOB ORIENTING SEMINARS AND ALUMNI DAY Two job orienting seminar in May: Dr. Andrea Blasco (JRC European Commission): May 6 at 10 (TBC) Dr. Marco D Errico (Economist, FAO): TBD Alumni Day: June 14 Dr. Gabriella Rovigatti (Senior Analyst, Save the Children, UK) Prof. Raffaele Saggio (Professor, University of British Columbia, Canada)
THANKS! | Master of Science in Economics
