But applied theory people get tarred with the same brush, at many schools; applied theorists often get flack from theorier-than-thou people, AND from realisticer-than-thou people.
Economics Job Market Rumors » General Job Market Discussion
Worst field to be candidate in?
(36 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
-
"But applied theory people get tarred with the same brush, at many schools; applied theorists often get flack from theorier-than-thou people, AND from realisticer-than-thou people."
The problem is that most economists are not openminded enough to accept other styles of research. Empirical people tend to be dismissive of theory. Theorists tend to be dismissive of purely empirical work. Both sides tend to be dismissive of people who try to combine both theory and empirical work (the theorists say the theory component isn't very good; the empiricists say the empirical work isn't very good). This is a real problem with the profession.
The lesson for people on the job market (I am on the hiring side) is that you need to (a) in your interview and job talk, be clear about what your contribution is. If your contribution is mainly on the empirical side, be sure the theorists know this so they don't solely judge you on your model. (b) As you consider job offers, be sure there is a person or group within your new department that will support you and your style of research.
Posted 1 year ago # -
so, if anyone had any doubts still -- the only nice guys are the applied theorist (and nice guys always lose).
Posted 1 year ago # -
from the o.p. of this thread. What I meant was really what fields are having the toughest time relative to expectations? There are never many job openings for theorists, so of course it's rough for them this year, too. But is there a field in your department that is getting, say, 10% of the calls people got last year, while another field is getting 75% of the calls those types got last year?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Actually, I always thought the nice guys were the empirical people and the applied theorists were the bullies.
Posted 1 year ago # -
you seem to have a problem of identification, mate.
Posted 1 year ago #