Q: What initially drew you to study economics at Rice?
A: When I decided to come to Rice, I had no intention of studying Economics. I applied to Rice as a Political Science major. Yet I quickly realized that simply completing my Political Science major requirements would not be nearly enough for me to graduate. Therefore, to complete Rice’s distribution requirements, I decided that I needed to branch out. Since all my friends were taking it, and it sounded interesting, I thought ECON 100 with Dr. Jimmy DeNicco would be a great distribution class for my first semester; little did I know just how profoundly his class would shape my academic trajectory at Rice. Dr. DeNicco opened my eyes to the wonders of economics, to how it can be used to better understand society, and to how the movement of goods and services is a fundamental force governing our world today. I fell in love with the field, and despite it being a challenging major, I cannot recommend it enough to anyone interested in understanding why our world is the way it is.
Q: What do you value most about your experience in the economics program?
A: If I could pick one thing, I would say the mentorship that the Rice Economics Department provides is unparalleled. All my professors know who I am, are interested in my ambitions, and want to help me learn in and outside of the classroom. If you are a dedicated student with a good relationship with your professors, the sky is the limit as to what you can achieve at Rice.
Q: What skills or ways of thinking have you already developed through studying economics?
A: Studying economics changes one’s perception of the world from that of one concerned with visible realities to one built by considerations of unseen consequences. Economics has taught me to consider not only the first-order effects of political and financial decisions but also their knock-on effects. It has taught me to code, to solve complex problems, and to use data and assumptions in creative ways to arrive at my own answers about what is happening in the world today, and I feel these are all invaluable skills.
Q: Is there something you have learned at Rice Economics that you believe will set you apart and give you an “edge” when you enter the workforce?
A: I think the most fundamental thing I have learned is that hard work pays off. The Rice Economics edge lies in its ability to teach students to persevere through immense challenges. Even if the content is difficult, intense, and fast-paced, it is through persevering that one accomplishes great things and learns a great deal.
Q: What do you think an economics education gives students that they might not get elsewhere?
A: The versatility that Economics provides you is unmatched. Economics allows its students to use data, theory, and assumptions to build models that can yield empirical conclusions about nearly anything in society. I don’t believe any other field allows you to directly model and predict the consequences of everything from rising interest rates to capital punishment. I don’t think any other diploma gives such a versatile skill set.
Q: What are some unique opportunities you’ve had as a Rice economics student in the School of Social Sciences?
A: Rice’s School of Social Sciences has an amazing partnership with the Baker Institute, one of the world’s foremost policy think tanks. I cannot begin to describe how much the partnership enhances the student experience at Rice. Students are not only frequently invited to hear some of the world’s foremost political and business leaders speak, but also have the privilege of being introduced to some of the most distinguished members of the Houston community; beyond that, the institute provides students with amazing professional opportunities, inviting them to engage directly with them in research.
Q: What piece of advice would you give a Rice student considering majoring in economics?
A: Economics is a tough but incredibly rewarding major. Do not be afraid to use the resources around you, as they are there to help you succeed.