Q: What do economics students do after ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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
Current City: Delhi, India
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
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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!
Become comfortable with being uncomfortable and utilize STATAʹs help command more often!
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
The Economics Major at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø enhanced my ability to think critically about markets, global economies, and beyond. Combined with a broad multidisciplinary study, I graduated from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø college with a skillset which provided a variety of exciting opportunities. The skills I learned as economics major at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Campus), and subscribing to the Wall Street Journal (student accounts are very affordable).
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
The Economics Major at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø enhanced my ability to think critically about markets, global economies, and beyond. Combined with a broad multidisciplinary study, I graduated from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø college with a skillset which provided a variety of exciting opportunities. The skills I learned as economics major at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Campus), and subscribing to the Wall Street Journal (student accounts are very affordable).
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
My economics education at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumni network as resources.
Current City: Boston
Current Position: Healthcare consulting at Boston Healthcare Associates
What have you found to be most valuable about your economics education at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
My economics education at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumni network as resources.
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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.
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
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.