Melissa Carleton
In a world of rapid technological change, unprecedented access to information, and growing uncertainty around higher education, how do we make sense of it all? These forces shape our lives profoundly, yet their origins often feel abstract.
I help break them down through the lens of economics, giving you tools to make informed decisions about your career and life.
I’m Melissa Carleton, a PhD Candidate in Economics at Princeton University. My research focuses on the labor market impacts of technological change, and I particularly enjoy exploring how society, families, and governments can make decisions that address challenges such as unemployment and inequality. In my writing, I aim to help you understand your role in the economy and the steps you can take to shape your future.
Beyond my PhD and writing for The Honest Economist, I’ve worked as a Data Science Intern at Mutual of Omaha and as a Human Frontier Collective Specialist at Scale AI, training AI to reason like a PhD economist. I also share insights on PhD admissions and snapshots of life at Princeton on LinkedIn. Across all my work, my goal is consistent: to empower others with knowledge that advances their careers and understanding of the world.
I strive to actively shape the dialogue around preparing students and society for today’s evolving economy. Thank you for engaging with my work, and I look forward to learning what drives you.
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