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Economist research assistant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
John Levendis,
John Levendis
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical economist research assistant skills. We ranked the top skills for economist research assistants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.1% of economist research assistant resumes contained research projects as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an economist research assistant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 economist research assistant skills for your resume and career

1. Research Projects

Here's how economist research assistants use research projects:
  • Worked independently on a variety of research projects for clients including Vietnam veterans, university professors, and international companies.
  • Communicated with lab colleagues and research collaborators via e-mail and conference calls to discuss confidential information regarding research projects.

2. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how economist research assistants use r:
  • Conducted longitudinal data analysis, logistic regression data analysis and linear regression analysis for the biological experiments using R and SAS.
  • Conducted antibody screening via ELISA to test efficacy of a developing vaccine prototype and implemented database management platforms R and MATLAB

3. Macro

Here's how economist research assistants use macro:
  • Conducted research and current analysis on macro economic and capital markets issues.
  • Combine macro analysis with sales and trading urgency

4. Statistical Analysis

Here's how economist research assistants use statistical analysis:
  • Implement retrospective and/or clinical analyses through the design, collection and statistical analysis (in SAS) of databases.
  • Core personnel in a social and behavioral science research lab responsible for data collection and coding behavioral data for statistical analysis.

5. Econometrics

Here's how economist research assistants use econometrics:
  • Utilized various econometrics techniques and statistical methods to assist in regression analysis.
  • Applied Econometrics and Mathematical Economics.

6. Economic Data

Economic data, also known as economic statistics, refer to quantitative measurements that record the economy. This allows companies and researchers to determine what the economy was like during a certain period of time compared to other economies, whether another country's economy at the same time or compared to the same economy years in the future.

Here's how economist research assistants use economic data:
  • Maintained historical databases of survey results and actual economic data for sale to clients.
  • Provided strategic oversight and conducted written analysis involving key economic data releases and events while administering the core U.S.

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7. Financial Markets

Fіnаnсіаl mаrkеtѕ еnсоmраѕѕ аnу рlасе оr system thаt allows buyers аnd sellers tо trаdе financial іnѕtrumеntѕ, including bоndѕ, stocks, еԛuіtіеѕ, ѕесurіtіеѕ, foreign еxсhаngе, derivatives, rаw materials, and рrесіоuѕ metals. It serves аѕ an іntеrmеdіаrу bеtwееn іnvеѕtоrѕ аnd thе соllесtоr by mоbіlіzіng саріtаl bеtwееn thеm.

Here's how economist research assistants use financial markets:
  • Researched and delivered innovative longer-term focused reports on macroeconomics and financial markets.
  • Conducted research on payment systems, international economics and financial markets.

8. MATLAB

Here's how economist research assistants use matlab:
  • Utilized Matlab for calculations and plots relevant for finding detection ranges of submarines and analyzing the sound waves that propagate underwater.
  • Created a system through Matlab to study if the brainwaves (Delta through Gamma) could be analyzed for PTSD.

9. Economic Analysis

Economic analysis refers to examining or assessing issues or topics from an economist's point of view. The goal of such analysis is to find out how efficiently the economy or something within it is functioning. For example, a company's economic analysis would involve determining the profit it is making. According to some economists, economic analysis involves a systematic approach to determine how to use scarce resources optimally. To perform economic analysis, you should have analytical, communication, critical thinking, mathematical, statistical, and writing skills, in addition to being detail-oriented.

Here's how economist research assistants use economic analysis:
  • Translated data into written reports/economic analysis for clients and for online blogs, connecting results of analysis to actionable information.
  • Managed several important client relationships and performed customized economic analysis for clients from a variety of industries and government institutions.

10. Academic Papers

Here's how economist research assistants use academic papers:
  • Reviewed and edited academic papers received for publication.

11. Regression

Here's how economist research assistants use regression:
  • Performed regression analysis on large datasets and developed machine learning models to aid client decision making.
  • Research Using Instrumental Variable Regression to Estimate the Demand for Wine: co-authored with Steven S. Cuellar.

12. Financial Analysis

Here's how economist research assistants use financial analysis:
  • Provided economic and financial analysis in support of long-term policy development and evaluations.
  • Conducted economic and financial analysis of investment projects.

13. Market Research

Market research is a collective effort to collect information related to a consumer's needs and wants. It is a systematic approach that involves recording and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. Market research helps a business to identify a target market correctly and identify the gaps in potential consumer's expectations.

Here's how economist research assistants use market research:
  • Supported all development, construction and management functions in regard to market research needs.
  • Conducted market research and tracked market activity in designated markets across multiple sectors to update and maintain designated company databases.

14. SAS

SAS stands for Statistical Analysis System which is a Statistical Software designed by SAS institute. This software enables users to perform advanced analytics and queries related to data analytics and predictive analysis. It can retrieve data from different sources and perform statistical analysis on it.

Here's how economist research assistants use sas:
  • Performed appropriate qualitative and quantitative data analysis and developed performance measures, evaluation designs and analytic methods with SAS and ACCESS.
  • Coded and analyzed quantitative data with SAS to determine if medical providers would benefit from education classes on neglected parasitic diseases.

15. Economic Development

Economic development refers to an increase of creation of wealth that overall benefits a community. This may occur when a community, city, or country produces more goods to sell or when a job program is developed. By increasing the wealth of a community, the economy is stimulated and the quality of life for that population also increases.

Here's how economist research assistants use economic development:
  • Assisted in the promotion of economic development and tourism, and supporter of western Colorado water rights.
  • Prepare maps and demographic analyses using ESRI ArcGIS software for business start-ups and retention/recruiting efforts by regional economic development professionals.
top-skills

What skills help Economist Research Assistants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on economist research assistant resumes?

John Levendis

Professor of Business Analytics and Economics, Loyola University New Orleans

This all depends upon what kinds of jobs you're applying for, who the employer is, etc... A job at the Fed as a research economist will require a different skillset (and a Ph.D.) from an analyst with the Department of Labor. Regardless of your employer, econometric/statistical skills are highly valued and expected.

What soft skills should all economist research assistants possess?

John Levendis

Professor of Business Analytics and Economics, Loyola University New Orleans

Though economists are expected to have strong technical skills, especially with statistics, soft skills are equally important and easily overlooked by students. It does employers no good to hire economists who cannot explain their work or their conclusions. Be able to convey technical matters to non-technical audiences. Try explaining your research to your parents, for example, without using jargon. Even better, try explaining it to a grade-schooler. Your boss might not need to know the gory mathematical details. But they will need to know what your conclusions are.

What hard/technical skills are most important for economist research assistants?

John Levendis

Professor of Business Analytics and Economics, Loyola University New Orleans

Economists are expected to be able to analyze reams of data. Econometrics and prob/stats skills are expected. Take as many of these classes as possible. Outside of the standard econometrics offerings, consider taking general programming courses.

What economist research assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Patrick Scott Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Economics, Louisiana Tech University

I wouldn't recommend the gap years. Instead, I would suggest start higher education now or pursue graduate degrees to give yourself a marketable edge.

What type of skills will young economist research assistants need?

The typical Economics major on the job market doesn't need economics, per se. They need the analytical skills that the economics curriculum provides. We train students to think and analyze situations in a manner that other disciplines do not. Sometimes that will lead them to quantitative jobs, and sometimes it will lead them to qualitative jobs. As such, the necessary skills vary.
In general, I would say deep quantitative skills are becoming increasingly attractive. Job titles such as analyst, quantitative analysts, data analysts, and data scientists are accessible to economics majors. This requires a strong understanding of statistics and computational methods. At a minimum, these students should have an advanced understanding of Excel and at least one computational language like R, Python, or Matlab. Database skills are very helpful as well. Moreover, data visualization is key. Economics majors tend to be great storytellers.

What technical skills for an economist research assistant stand out to employers?

Employers value our graduates for their ability to independently solve complex problems, whether in or out of the lab. This skill has not and will not change regardless of instructional mode.

List of economist research assistant skills to add to your resume

Economist research assistant skills

The most important skills for an economist research assistant resume and required skills for an economist research assistant to have include:

  • Research Projects
  • R
  • Macro
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Econometrics
  • Economic Data
  • Financial Markets
  • MATLAB
  • Economic Analysis
  • Academic Papers
  • Regression
  • Financial Analysis
  • Market Research
  • SAS
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Indicators
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Collection
  • Statistical Software
  • Stata
  • Data Management
  • Regression Analysis
  • GDP
  • PowerPoint

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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