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Hometown: San Gabriel, CA
Major: economics  Minor: public health

Have you taken part in any economics research opportunities at Oxy?
I am incredibly grateful to have been able to participate in multiple economics research opportunities at Oxy. In my junior year, I was a research assistant for Professor Diana Ngo and worked on two projects: one focusing on the STEM gender gap and another that uses consumption data to better target interventions that alleviate poverty. I also began working as a research assistant for Professor Kevin Williams on a project relating to higher education. The data cleaning and literature review skills I developed from these research assistantships were extremely helpful, and it was amazing to be able to work on research with real-world policy implications.

I also had the opportunity to do independent research. The summer after my junior year, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Center’s summer research program with Professor Williams as my mentor. My project focused on the impact of policies that increase administrative burdens (i.e., things like increased paperwork that make it harder for individuals to apply) on child Medicaid enrollment rates. For ECON 498 (Research Seminar) with Professor Jorgen Harris, I am currently looking at the impact of hospital closures on inpatient mortality at adjacent hospitals. Research can be challenging, but it is extremely rewarding to be able to apply economic concepts to a wide range of real-world questions.

Research can be challenging, but it is extremely rewarding to be able to apply economic concepts to a wide range of real-world questions.

Can you describe your working relationships with econ professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
The professors in the Economics department are amazing and extremely supportive of students! In addition to being passionate about their field and research, professors genuinely care about teaching and mentoring students. In every class I have taken, professors have held regular office hours and are open to talking about coursework, future career paths, or random updates in the world of economics. Even professors with whom I never took a class or who I took a class with semesters ago still say “hi” and ask me about the economics major and life. In terms of stand-out classes, Economics Data Analysis and Applied Econometrics were two of the most influential courses in my time at Oxy. Both classes opened my eyes to how economic theory and economic research techniques could be applied to a wide variety of topics, be it public health, education, development, sports, or the music industry.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in economics?
Don’t let previous failures or perceived shortcomings stop you from pursuing the economics major or from pursuing opportunities you want! There are elements of economics courses like math and Stata programming that can be challenging, especially if you are like me and have never considered yourself good at math or coding. However, there are many support systems within the economics department. Professors regularly hold many office hours, and there are also peer tutors/TAs who hold study hours as well. Women of Economics (WOE) and the Economics Student Association (ESA) often have events and meetings where you can meet other economics majors who can provide guidance on economics-related topics. Furthermore, the economics department truly values growth over time. Getting a less-than-ideal grade in one exam or class does not mean you cannot succeed later in 300-level economics coursework or research.

My time at �鶹Ƶ��also highlighted the importance of using qualitative research from other disciplines to inform quantitative research so as to ensure health equity.

What are your plans or ambitions post-Oxy? How has the liberal arts approach helped to shape those future ambitions?
After graduation, I plan to work as a research assistant for 2-3 years before pursuing graduate studies in health services research or health policy. The liberal arts approach at �鶹Ƶ��helped shape this path by allowing me to study health-related issues through an interdisciplinary lens. My time at �鶹Ƶ��also highlighted the importance of using qualitative research from other disciplines to inform quantitative research so as to ensure health equity. These experiences have been extremely helpful in preparing me for health research, as it will inevitably require interdisciplinary problem-solving and collaboration with professionals across disciplines.

Hometown: Portland, OR
Major: economics

What was your motivation to major in economics?

When I entered Occidental, I did not have a clear idea of my career goals or what I wanted to major in. I cast the net wide, taking a variety of courses across many departments. Economics stood out as a perfect blend of my interests in problem-solving and strategy, and a field of study relevant to a wide array of career paths. I’ve found studying economics intellectually stimulating and engaging. I’ve developed my qualitative and quantitative skills through learning theory, using math, and working with data. No matter your academic interests, I’d recommend an introductory economics course to learn how and why businesses and economies operate the way they do.

Economics stood out as a perfect blend of my interests in problem-solving and strategy, and a field of study relevant to a wide array of career paths.

Can you describe your working relationships with econ professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?

The economics department is full of enthusiastic and engaging professors who are eager to see their students grow and succeed. Office hours are a fantastic opportunity to get career advice, learn about potential research opportunities, and simply get help on assignments or studying. Of the courses currently offered, my favorites have been Industrial Organization, Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets, Game Theory and Econometrics, in no particular order. While these are challenging courses, they are exciting (no joke) and relevant to the real world.

What are your plans or ambitions post-Oxy? How has the liberal arts approach helped to shape those future ambitions?

I’m eager to pursue work in a strategy or finance-related position, where I can directly apply my education and background while continuing to learn, grow and develop my skill set. My coursework has given me a solid foundation in economic theory, quantitative and analytical skills, and strategy formulation. A liberal arts education provides exposure to a wide range of subjects; it has developed my capacity to think critically, communicate and collaborate across disciplines, and approach complex tasks with creativity.

A liberal arts education provides exposure to a wide range of subjects; it has developed my capacity to think critically, communicate and collaborate across disciplines, and approach complex tasks with creativity.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in economics?

For those considering majoring in economics, here are a few pieces of advice:

• Explore different areas: economics is a broad field with a variety of specializations, including macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics and international economics. Take courses in all these specializations. Take courses in other departments, as well; the liberal arts education brings with it the opportunity to gain a broad perspective of the world through various disciplines.
• Stay informed: The Occidental education is about applying the skills and knowledge you gain in the classroom to the real world. Economics is deeply connected to current events. Staying up to date on economic news, policies and trends is a practical application of economic theory, and instills the subjects learned in class.
• Networking matters: Occidental is a small school with a tight-knit community. It doesn’t take much effort to connect with professors, alumni and fellow students. The economics department (among others) has many successful graduates who have interesting perspectives on career, education and life. Networking can build relationships with a great group of people, lead to research and career opportunities, and be an enriching part of the �鶹Ƶ��experience.

Hometown:Los Angeles, CA
Major: economics  Minor: cognitive science

What was your motivation to major in economics?
I came to Occidental undeclared, but in the back of my mind, I knew economics was the right choice for me. I am passionate about the inequality that exists in society, as well as urban economics issues such as homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing. Majoring in economics allowed me to learn more about these issues and how we can use the field of economics to better understand them and construct potential solutions. I had an “aha” moment during my junior year after taking the Urban Economics and Economics of Race and Gender courses. Everything snapped into place and my choice to major in this subject made sense.

We had the chance to use an intersectional lens to investigate how we can reform our economy to address discrimination and inequality.

Can you describe your working relationships with econ professors? Were there any standout classes you’ve taken?
The professors have all been very supportive and encouraging. They are always looking to help you both in school and with your aspirations beyond school. One of my favorite 300-level courses in the major was Economics of Race and Gender with Professor Mary Lopez. It showed me how we can use economics theory and models to address so many issues. We had the chance to use an intersectional lens to investigate how we can reform our economy to address discrimination and inequality. I also enjoyed Urban Economics. After taking that class I became very interested in public policy.

What do you like most about studying economics?
Economics is everywhere. It gives us the ability to understand the world and its problems in a very fascinating way. I like that economics is entangled with so many other subjects. More often than not what I learned in my economics classes was also talked about in the classes that I took in other departments. I enjoy observing the crossovers between economics and these other areas. I feel like majoring in economics gives me a different perspective on how the world functions.

Economics is such a broad field. Economists are in the sports industry, the music industry, television and film, etc. There are so many possibilities.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in economics?
My advice would be to get involved with the economics department. Go to office hours and engage with your peers. Going to TA sessions or office hours may feel like an inconvenience, but you will build meaningful connections and learn so much. I would also say you should take all of your math classes as soon as possible. Building a good foundation there will make your life easier as you continue your journey in the department. My last bit of advice would be to think about the industries you love and think about what economics looks like in those fields. Do not be afraid to take classes in other departments to explore your other interests as well. You’ll find that they align with your economics interests. Economics is such a broad field. Economists are in the sports industry, the music industry, television and film, etc. There are so many possibilities.

Hometown: Berkeley, CA
Major: economics; minor: politics

What was your motivation to major in economics?
I wanted to major in economics because it offers a variety of tools for answering questions I’m interested in. I’m really interested in politics and policy, and economics offers a great theoretical framework to understand these policies and a wide variety of empirical methods to evaluate them. I took my first economics class in the fall of 2020 and the professor often highlighted how the models we were learning could be used to understand the economic shocks caused by Covid-19. Seeing the direct applicability of the material immediately drew me to the major.

I’m really interested in politics and policy, and economics offers a great theoretical framework to understand these policies and a wide variety of empirical methods to evaluate them.

Can you describe your working relationships with econ professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?

All of my professors have been incredibly open and excited to work with students both during and outside of class. Not only are they happy to answer any questions related to class material, but are also always willing to engage in conversations about current events or answer career and internship questions. I always have a hard time deciding what my favorite classes in the department are because they seem to change every time I take a new class. I have really enjoyed both senior seminar classes because of the opportunity they offer to apply so much of what I’ve learned in the major to specific topic areas.

What are your plans or ambitions post-Oxy? How has the liberal arts approach helped to shape those future ambitions?
I plan to work as a research assistant for a couple years to develop my technical skills and get experience outside of the classroom. Afterwards, I want to pursue a Ph.D. in economics. The liberal arts approach has allowed me to have a really diverse educational experience ranging from an Asian American literature course to a biology lab. These experiences taught me how to look at problems multiple ways and have a variety of strategies for coming up with solutions. This is really helpful for thinking about and working on research projects. Beyond that, having so much control over what classes I took really allowed me to love learning.

Having so much control over what classes I took really allowed me to love learning.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in economics?

Do it! Economics is a really useful major and the skills you learn are applicable across a wide variety of careers. Also, make use of office hours! Some of my best conversations and most productive learning have taken place during office hours and all of the faculty are very open and helpful. Not only will they help you do well in their classes, but you will also learn a lot beyond the material.

Hometown: Evanston, IL
Majors: economics, computer science

What it was like taking business classes through the Oxy-Caltech Exchange Program?

I thoroughly enjoyed the finance course (BEM 103) I was able to take through the Oxy-Caltech Exchange Program. I love Oxy’s focus on liberal arts and think this exchange program offers additional subject areas not taught at �鶹Ƶ��which enhances the �鶹Ƶ��experience. The course is lecture-based and relatively similar to most �鶹Ƶ��economics course formats, but there were close to 100 students in the class. 

Do you have any advice for students who are interested in taking business and finance courses through the Oxy-Caltech Exchange Program?

My advice to students who are considering taking business, economics, and management courses through the Oxy-Caltech Exchange program is to reach out to your �鶹Ƶ��advisor along with the Caltech professor teaching the course you are interested in. The Caltech professor will be able to walk you through course prerequisites and required prior knowledge. One thing to keep in mind is that all Caltech students are expected to have completed math courses through Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra. There is also a strong focus on programming skills in the Investments course (BEM 104).