Where are you from?
I am from Portland, Oregon.
What drew you to studying economics and political science?
Starting around my senior year in high school, after taking both AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, I developed a fascination with better understanding the decisions that lead to a country becoming either rich or poor. When I started at OSU, I was initially undeclared, and though I was relatively confident that I was eventually going to major in economics, it led me to explore other fields and cultivate new interests. In particular, after taking Intro to International Relations (PS 205) my freshman year, I realized that there was a deep connection between the relations of countries with one another and their economic well-being, which prompted me to eventually minor in political science.
What has been your experience as a student of both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College?
The College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College have afforded me the opportunity to explore many areas of interest that I would not have considered otherwise through the diverse set of available colloquia courses, and also granted me the ability to develop a greater connection with faculty mentors, which was made possible by smaller class sizes.
Have you started your honors thesis? If yes, what’s the topic and/or focus of your research? If not, are you considering any ideas so far?
Yes, I’m currently in the process of writing my thesis. My research focuses primarily on analyzing Chinese-backed investment in Africa, identifying what drives these investments, and looking to better understand how these investments influence the strength of civil liberties and political rights in a select set of countries.
What have been some of your favorite classes?
Two of my favorite classes that I’ve taken during my time at OSU have been Public Policy Analysis (ECON 539) and Causal Inference (DS 455). Public Policy Analysis was one of my favorites since it was probably the class that, looking back, likely was responsible for fully cementing my interest in economics, and giving me confidence that I’d be able to excel in the field. Similarly, I enjoyed Causal Inference because it served to break down the process of research and analysis in economics, which, up until that point, felt somewhat esoteric. Overall, what these courses had in common was that they made me feel as though I belonged and instilled the confidence that was necessary for me to continue to persevere.
What are you hoping to do after you graduate?
While I don’t yet have any concrete plans, I’m planning on eventually getting my master’s in economics. However, before then, I’d like to get some experience in the field, either through a job or an internship, mainly as a means of further exploring eventual career paths that I may take. Whatever I end up doing, I’d prefer a career that allows me to work across multiple countries and broaden my horizons.
How do you feel that your experience in CLA and HC is setting you up for success?
I think the CLA and HC have set me up for success in the sense of providing an extensive network of both peers and mentors that I feel comfortable reaching out to and working with moving forward. Specifically in the case of the HC, I think the thesis process has gone a long way in helping me to develop my professional skills, as well as enabling me to cultivate a research interest that truly excites me.