The AEA: It's more than just a conference!

There is one very obvious resource that I never thought to even glance at when I was a grad student: The  American Economics Association web site. It simply never occurred to me that I could find any value there. Please do not make the same mistake I did. There is a wealth of relevant information at your fingertips. For prospective graduate students, it is particularly helpful to check out the aptly named “For Graduate Students” menu. Here you will find not only a discussion of the types of possible degrees and a ranking of programs, but also information on the necessary qualifications for the various programs. For those further along, there is a good discussion of the types of careers your degree might lead to, as well as a number of links that will assist you with your job search. There is also abundant information on the job market and salary information. And You absolutely MUST NOT MISS the Resources for Economists section which has links to data sites and valuable information on grants and funding.

I didn’t really start paying attention to the AEA web site until I started thinking about going on the job market. One of the most valuable tools offered on the site is know as JOE (Job Openings for Economists). Conveniently, you can subscribe for an e-mail alert so you can easily keep up with new listings.

Of course, if all this isn’t enough, you can always do their crossword puzzles.