Succeeding in economics.(Column)

The editors of American Economist invited me to discuss professional aspects of my life as an economist as part of an ongoing series of similar discussions by others. They thought readers might find this of interest and might even benefit from learning how contributors to this series go about their work. My intent here is simply to highlight some aspects of my career that have helped me progress in the profession. What has helped me may not be equally helpful to others, each of us being unique in experience, capability, and interest. Indeed, some conditions that have helped me along have not been of my own making. Each of us, for example, is born at a particular time in a ...