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Â鶹Æƽâ°æ College
Economics Department

Q: What do economics students do after Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?

A: Anything they want.

From research to  consulting to healthcare to risk analysis to entrepreneurial endeavors, Economics alumni are using the skills they developed here at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ to make a difference in the world --- all over the world. Read on to find out more about some of our recent graduates and their words of advice for current students.

I personally feel that Iʹve maintained the same relationships with my professors even after graduation and that to me is my biggest accomplishment. I love connecting with them and an email from my professors just brightens my day, it makes me feel like I never left campus.
Prachee Arora, Class of 2019

 

Prachee Arora, Class of 2019
Prachee Arora
Class of 2019

Current City: Delhi, India
Current Position: Research Analyst at RTI International
Beginning an MS in Policy Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Spring 2021

What have you found to be most valuable about your economics education at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
I've had the opportunity to engage with and learn from the research conducted by my professors and that really has initiated my interest in helping design and evaluate social policies at the intersection of public and development economics.

What is your fondest Economics Department memory from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
Fried chicken from Hattieʹs at Economics ExploreMore and hanging around in Ms. Ameliaʹs office before/after class!

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a similar career?
Become comfortable with being uncomfortable and utilize STATAʹs help command more often!
Ryan Warnock, Class of 2018
Ryan Warnock
Class of 2018

Current City: New York City
Current Position: Associate, Global Structured Credit Solutions, at Natixis CIB Americas

What have you found to be most valuable about your economics education at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The Economics Major at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ enhanced my ability to think critically about markets, global economies, and beyond. Combined with a broad multidisciplinary study, I graduated from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ college with a skillset which provided a variety of exciting opportunities. The skills I learned as economics major at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ has certainly helped me think about problems differently, and these insights are highly valued at companies these days as businesses look for innovative solutions.

What is your fondest Economics Department memory from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The support and mentorship that Professor Qi, Professor von Allmen, Professor Goff, and Professor Wolfe provided during my Senior Seminar – while attempting the arduous endeavored of writing my senior thesis, is something that stands out in my mind when thinking back to my time as an economics major. The willingness of these individuals to offer guidance and support is an incredible testament to the devotedness of the entire Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Economics Faculty/Department.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a similar career?
READ! Being well read and staying current on the status of the global economy, monetary/fiscal policy developments, and general financial news stories goes a LONG way. Being able to discuss a recent news story, or your opinion on a current event is an incredibly valuable skill – these conversations will undoubtably come up at networking events and in interviews. I suggest reading the NY Times (free on Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Campus), and subscribing to the Wall Street Journal (student accounts are very affordable).
Sean Timmons
Sean Timmons
Class of 2018

Current City: Boston
Current Position: Healthcare consulting at Boston Healthcare Associates

What have you found to be most valuable about your economics education at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
My economics education at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ has directly correlated to my career path, as I would not have been introduced to the business-side of the healthcare industry if it was not for health
economics with Professor von Allmen.

What is your fondest Economics Department memory from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
Handing in my thesis

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a similar career?

I would advise current students to take a wide variety of electives because you never know what you may find interesting. In terms of pursuing a similar career, I would advise students to keep their options open and to utilize the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ alumni network as resources.
Xinyi Denny Zhang
Xinyi (Denny) Zhang
Class of 2020

Current City: Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
Current Position: Graduate Student, Imperial College, London, Master of Business Analytics program

What have you found to be most valuable about your economics education at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
My education showed me how broad and applicable economics could be and how we are all involved in the economics world.

What is your fondest Economics Department memory from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
My fondest memory is the warm support I received from professors throughout my studies. They’ve offered intelligent advice when I’ve needed it, provided a sounding board for my own ideas, constantly encouraged me to push myself and grow, and provided valuable intellectual company.