National Economic Association
Promoting Economic Growth

Margaret Simms
Vice President for Research
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

Education:
B.A. in Economics, Carleton College 1967; M.A., Ph.D. in Economics, Stanford University 1974

Q: How did you become interested in economics?

Dr. Simms' initial interest was in the natural sciences. But, her first economic principles class at Carleton College convinced her that she could apply her same skills to solve problems and improve people's lifestyles. The heady atmosphere of the 1960's helped to solidify her positive attitude toward public service and the belief that people can make a difference in changing society.

Though her initial interests were in the economics of developing countries, her graduate work at Stanford and the tumult of the late 1960's changed her focus toward America's mounting domestic problems. Dr. Simms specialized in public finance, and wrote her dissertation under Michael Boskin who became Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under former President George Bush.

Q: What have been the major highlights of your career?

After graduate school, Dr. Simms taught at the University of California-Santa Cruz, and then joined the faculty of Atlanta University (now merged into Clark Atlanta University). From Atlanta University, she worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at a Brookings Fellow.

As chair of the American Economic Association (AEA) Committee on the Status of Minorities in the Economics Profession, Dr. Simms is actively involved in pushing the economics profession to being more open to the participation of women and minorities. Her work keeps her fellow economists' feet to the fire to insure that the background of those engaged in debating the economy will reflect America's diversity. Most noted is her committee's work in the AEA Minority Summer Workshop. And, she takes an active leadership role in the National Economic Association to push forward the professional standards of her fellow African American economists.

Dr. Simms is currently the Vice President for Research at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the leading African-American public policy think-tank. She joined the Joint Center from the Urban Institute. At the Joint Center Dr. Simms coordinates research staff activities and projects, and serves as the lead researcher for the Joint Center. Though her administrative duties, she insures that the African-American viewpoint is heard on a variety of issues in the important policy debates taking place in Washington.

Q: What insights do you have for those considering a career in economics?

Dr. Simms' advice to those interested in working in the policy arena is to get good quantitative skills. Those skills are not only necessary for doing quality work, but to feel comfortable in understanding other people's work. She warns students not to be fooled into believing that only a few people have the gift for doing quantitative work. Instead, students must challenge themselves to conquer such apprehensions and to do the hard work necessary to master quantitative skills. Even if the hard work is not rewarded with grades, the effort will insure that the core of the knowledge will remain with you.

Aspiring policy analysts should try to get experience working in the policy arena. The demands of translating theory into practice are best understood through experience. And, the knack for doing policy is not always a skill taught in academic settings. A key prerequisite for success as a policy analyst is teamwork--a skill not emphasized in academic settings. Dr. Simms warns that as part of a team you have to learn not to be supersensitive to criticism. You must learn to take criticism as a way of improving your work, and to realize that as part of a team you will not always be the one who determines the direction the team takes. If an idea is rejected, you have to learn to bounce back and continue to contribute ideas to the team's efforts.

Finally, though training as an economist makes you very excited about research and formulating policy, a career in public policy may lead you away from research to administration. Someone pursuing a career in public policy must, at some point, decide which way they want to go. There are many contributions to be made to improve the level of policy debate in our country. Dr. Simms is making a contribution, and her advice can help you follow along.

Dr. Margaret Simms
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
1090 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005-4961
phone: 202.789.3500
fax: 202.789.6390