TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

The International Economics Program makes extensive use of teaching assistants (T.A.s) and research assistants (R.A.s).

Teaching Assistants
Each semester, the economics program requires the assistance of students with advanced economics skills to act as aides in teaching for basic, core, and several elective courses.  The T.A.s are required to hold office hours and weekly teaching sessions as a means to provide help to students in need.  Duties may consist of reviewing lecture material, answering questions pertaining to course content and assignments, reading course papers/case studies and photocopying selected course materials.  T.A.s may also be involved in limited grading activities.

Applicants for Teaching Assistant positions should submit a current resume and course transcript to the International Economics Program Administration Office.  The name of the course of interest must be stated.  Requirements include having previously taken the course and performed well or having equivalent economics background.  T.A. selections are made at the beginning of each semester. T.A.s are compensated for work performed on a hourly basis.

Research Assistants
SAIS is part of a major research university, therefore, research is an important component of the economic faculty's responsibilities.  In this regard, faculty often have need of student research assistants in carrying out their research projects.  While different faculty have different needs, typically they are interested in students who have strong analytic and computer skills, (including programming skills or previous experience with data analysis software such as SAS, eViews, MatLab or Excel).   In addition, faculty also often have need of students with good data research skills who can assist in collecting economic and financial information from various electronic databases and published sources.

R.A.s must have good organization and communication skills and be able to work effectively in unsupervised situations.  R.A.s are generally compensated on a hourly basis.

To apply for a R.A. position, please see the economics program faculty member directly.

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