My eight month work term at Hydro One allowed me to simultaneously get a taste of the work force and complete my grad degree. It allowed me to add to my resume a work experience related to my area of study. My co-op work term opened the door to an exciting Analyst position at a small consulting firm named Exchange Solutions Inc (ESI). I spent seven years at ESI working my way up from an analyst to a manager of the analytical team.
What interests and goals led you to graduate studies in economics?
Economics is a part of the everyday world and it can be applied to many facets in life. I found the subject matter to be very intriguing and hence searched for a program that would help me take the basic principles I had learned in my undergraduate program and empirically apply them to different market areas. I wanted a career that would be built on the advanced economic skills I would obtain in graduate school.
What aspect of Waterloo’s economics grad program did you find most outstanding?
Together with the co-op work experience, the grad program equipped me with analytic and applied skills as well as opportunities for empirical studies. This experience really gave me a competitive edge upon entering the job market. I was able to show my employers’ papers and empirical studies I had completed. The core studies that were taught and the many courses we were able to choose from, allowed me to tailor my program so that I could develop knowledge and skills in areas I was most interested in.
What did you appreciate most about your professors and your supervisor?
Because the economics program was small (~ 30 students) I found that professors really went out of their way to help students with questions or when clarification was needed.
How has your graduate education influenced your current job?
I am now at Equifax Canada working as a Consultant for Analytical Services. Every day I use a lot of the knowledge and skills I acquired during grad school. The credit world is highly correlated with how the economy is performing, and I have the knowledge to understand how changes in the economy trigger effects in the credit world. When I visit clients and talk to them about credit market trends, I draw on my economic knowledge and am better equipped to explain trends and their causes.