Economist

Role at a glance

What is your job title and role?

Economist. The main part of my job is economic data, models, forecasts, research and policy/business analysis.

What industry or field do you work in?

My field is economics & Policy.

How long have you been in this role?

8 years.

What does this work involve?

What are the primary responsibilities of this role?

I'd put economic data, models, forecasts, research and policy/business analysis at the top of the list.

What is the purpose of this role in the organization or industry?

Basically, the organization needs someone responsible for this area so problems don't just get passed around. At my workplace, at least.

How does this role contribute to the success of the team or company?

A lot of the value is catching issues early instead of letting them become bigger issues. The job description didn't really explain that part.

What does a typical day and workload look like?

What does a typical day look like in this job?

I check what needs attention first, then spend most of the day on economic data, models, forecasts, research and policy/business analysis. I usually have a couple meetings mixed in.

Are there any recurring tasks or projects that are central to the role?

Some tasks are routine. The projects are what keep it from feeling like the exact same day over and over. My last job handled it differently.

How often do deadlines or high-pressure situations occur?

Depends on the season/project. I wouldn't call every day high pressure. That's been pretty consistent for me.

Where and how do people work in this role?

Is this job remote, on-site, or hybrid?

My current job is hybrid. That's how it works on my team.

What tools, software, or equipment are commonly used in this role?

The main tools are R/Python/Stata, Excel and databases.

Does this role require collaboration, or is it more independent?

More independent than group work, although I check in with people throughout the day. That's been pretty consistent for me.

What education, licensing, and skills are useful?

What level of education or training is necessary for this job?

The common path is economics training; graduate degree common for research economist work.

Are specific certifications or licenses required?

There are some depending on the exact job. I would check local requirements before paying for a certification. That's the part I notice most.

What technical or soft skills are most important for success?

Knowing the technical basics matters, but so does being able to explain a problem clearly. My last job handled it differently.

What are the schedule and lifestyle considerations?

What are the typical work hours for this role?

8 to 5 most days. That's how it works on my team.

Is the job schedule flexible or rigid?

The schedule is set more by the work than by me. My last job handled it differently.

Does this job allow for a good work-life balance?

Most weeks are fine. Busy periods can be rough. That's been my experience anyway.

Who do you interact with most during a normal week?

Mostly my immediate team and people from two or three related departments. It depends a lot on who you're working with.

How can this career grow or change?

Are there opportunities to advance within this role?

There are several ways to advance. Management is one, but becoming a stronger specialist is another. Some months are completely different.

What is the typical career path for someone in this job?

Early career is mostly learning. Later you start owning decisions instead of just tasks. The exact mix changes from week to week.

Are there any related roles someone could transition into?

Project management is a common move. Consulting is another. I notice it more during busy weeks.

Is this role in high demand?

Demand is pretty healthy for people with experience. That changed a little once I had more experience.

Are there common challenges or obstacles associated with this job?

Priorities change. You can do good work and still have to redo it because the situation changed. That's the part I notice most.

Do you expect more or fewer opportunities in this field over the next 5-10 years?

I think there will be more opportunities, but the required skills will shift. That's how it works on my team.

What should students know about pay and benefits?

How is the job expected to evolve in the future, especially because of technology or AI?

I expect software to handle more routine work. Someone still has to understand the result and catch when it makes no sense. That's how it works on my team.

What is the typical salary range for this role?

The range is wide enough that I'd check current job postings in your area rather than trust one number. That matters more than I expected.

What is the work really like?

Are there additional benefits, such as bonuses, healthcare, or retirement plans?

The usual benefits are available at larger employers. Smaller places can be different. That's the part I notice most.

What would you recommend someone learn or practice to prepare for this role?

Learn the fundamentals first. Tools change, fundamentals don't change nearly as fast. That matters more than I expected.

Are there specific internships, projects, or experiences that are helpful?

An internship helped me because I finally saw what the work looked like outside school. That's been pretty consistent for me.

What made you choose this career?

A family friend introduced me to the field. I didn't know much about it before that. Some coworkers would probably answer differently.

What is the most interesting part of your job?

I like that I still run into problems I haven't seen before. It depends on the project, though.

What is the least enjoyable part of your job?

Repetitive follow-up emails. It can be different at other places.

What is the biggest misconception people have about your job?

People underestimate how much preparation happens before the part they actually see. I didn't really understand that until I started working.

What type of person tends to do well in this career?

Someone patient and consistent usually does well. That matters more than I expected.

Who might not enjoy this career?

Someone who needs every day to be different might get bored with the routine parts. I learned that pretty quickly.

What surprised you most after starting this career?

The number of meetings surprised me. That matters more than I expected.

If you could go back to high school, what would you do differently to prepare?

I would've worked a summer job related to the field. It took me a while to get used to that.

What do you wish you had known before entering the profession?

I should've asked about workplace culture during interviews, not just salary. I notice it more during busy weeks.

What is one experience or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of?

I worked on a project that had been stuck for months and helped get it finished. I notice it more during busy weeks.

How has your role changed as you have gained experience?

I've become much more comfortable saying 'I don't know yet' and then figuring it out. My last job handled it differently.

Does the job require evenings, weekends, travel, or being on call?

I'm on call sometimes, which is probably the biggest lifestyle downside. The exact mix changes from week to week.

Before you choose: test the fit

Use these final reflections to turn career research into one practical next step.

What advice would you give a high-school student considering this career?

Look at the boring parts of the job too. Every career sounds good when you only list the highlights. It can be different at other places.

If you were 17 again, would you choose the same career? Why or why not?

I might choose a related specialty instead, but I wouldn't move far from this field. That changed a little once I had more experience.

What is one good way for a student to test whether this career is a good fit before committing to it?

Find a summer job or volunteer position close to the field. That's how it works on my team.