MIT students and postdocs visited The Brattle Group’s Boston office to explore careers in economic consulting—gaining firsthand insight into how rigorous research informs high-impact, real-world decision-making.
The visit, hosted by MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD), offered participants an opportunity to learn more about economic consulting—engaging in candid conversations, participating in consultant panels, and seeing how analytical work translates into practice across market and policy contexts.
Paths into the field
The visit included a tour, a panel discussion, and individual conversations with consultants. During the panel, employees answered questions and shared insights into their paths into economic consulting, including transitions from academia and the collaborative nature of their work.
Senior Energy Analyst Nathan Felmus described a recent case involving PJM’s electricity market, where his analysis informed pricing decisions across large regions of the country. “It’s amazing to know that my work is informing such impactful policy decisions,” he added.
During the visit, participants walked through Brattle’s in-house library, complete with a dedicated librarian—a resource consultants described as central to their work. In conversation, they shared that much of their growth comes from taking on new cases, learning deeply as each project unfolds, and building expertise through hands-on experience supported by mentorship.
Reflecting on fit and career exploration
For students early in their academic journeys, these conversations added valuable context. First-year student Maria Calvo shared that learning about Brattle’s roles, structure, and recruitment timelines helped her better understand how opportunities might unfold over time. “The visit sparked my interest in energy consulting and made me aware of upcoming recruitment cycles I hope to participate in when I’m eligible,” she said.
By the end of the visit, participants left with a clearer picture of what economic consulting looks like in practice at The Brattle Group and of the paths for growth within the field. Experiences like this, supported by CAPD, allow students and postdocs to explore careers through firsthand exposure—meeting professionals, seeing workplaces, and considering fit, whether for an upcoming hiring cycle or opportunities still ahead.
On behalf of the participants, CAPD thanks The Brattle Group for hosting a thoughtful and engaging visit.
Related Links
- Students: “Connecting with Employers“
- Employers: Explore Scheduling an employer program or event to learn more about CAPD opportunities. If you are interested in hosting MIT students at your workplace, reach out to the Employer Relations team at hiremit@mit.edu.
- Article: “Exploring robotics, scale, and systems through a Symbotic site visit“
