Why did you choose to major in economics?
In high school, I was drawn to topics like geopolitics, markets, and data. Economics felt like the perfect blend of those interests, offering a broad foundation to explore and discover my niche.
Describe the internships you’ve participated in.
I’ve had several internships that shaped my data analytics skills. At Poole College of Management, I worked as a marketing analytics intern, using Google Analytics, building live dashboards, and presenting insights to leadership. Later, at Forsyth Technical Community College, I helped the team use SQL to pull educational data, and used Power BI and Excel to generate insights on program performance. At Lincoln Economic Development Association, I explored how the team uses data to make recommendations to local businesses, such as prime expansion locations.
How has an economics major with a business analytics concentration prepared you?
Economics gave me a strong foundation in how markets and businesses function, while business analytics helped me apply those concepts using data. I’ve built models connecting income to education and explored healthcare trends through social indicators—merging theory with real-world applications.
What professional certifications have you completed or plan to pursue?
I’ve earned the AWS Cloud Essentials certification, which is helpful given the rise of cloud-based analytics. That said, I also recommend personal projects as a low-cost way to demonstrate your skills, especially when certifications are expensive.
What are your future plans and where will you be working?
I’ll be moving to Boston to join N1 Health as a Data Analyst!
What advice would you give to other economics majors?
Economics is versatile, so branch out with electives in areas like statistics, political science, or STEM to see what sparks your interest. For me, stats courses enhanced my understanding of econometrics and shaped my analytics focus.
