How did you find your way to where you are today? Share a little about your professional journey.

I found myself drawn to mathematics, particularly statistics, from early on in my educational journey due to my ability to grasp the core principles and theories that often times lead many students to lose interest in the subject. Thus, when it came time to decide on a major at Furman, my decision was much easier than most. But, when I started to list out the possibilities I found myself cornered. Being a math teacher, a mathematician, or even an actuary didn't fit the role I was looking for in life, so I decided to become an economics major as well as a math major. The mathematics-economics major allowed me the freedom to take the core classes of both and to really find my niche in the two relatable disciplines. The econometrics course was required of all economics majors to participate in prior to completion of the degree. That single course taught me the real-life application of a Furman economics degree through the extensive use of Stata, Tableau, and other research mechanisms. This course, along with the programming skills, gave me a leg up in the competition when applying for positions in a competitive job market today. When applying for jobs, whether I realized it or not, I was prepared to take a job in analytics.

When providing advice for professional development, what are some tools or resources one should consider?

The statistical programs that I recommend focusing on would be Stata, SAS, SQL, or R. At my company, we use Stata day in and out when working with large data sets. If interested, I recommend Tableau, a program that has gathered a lot interest in statistical analysis lately. Here are some online courses I found useful:

Stanford course on SQL (self-paced version)

Data Science Specialization on Coursera, It's a series of 4-week courses that go through a variety of topics related to Data Science, including R programming, analytics tools, machine learning, etc. This may not be quite as relevant as the SQL information in the short term but it will be interesting and useful nonetheless. They start once a month, so you can take them whenever works.

What do you wish you would have known getting started in your field?

Furman does an excellent job in preparing students for any environment, intellectually, socially, and competitively. Often times, we get caught at Furman comparing ourselves to our classmates, other well-rounded and top of their high-school class in academics type students, and let scores and class discussions get to our head. For many of us that’s the reason we applied and excelled at Furman; we wanted to be challenged. Once outside of Furman, it’s easy to see that the university has left us a step ahead against the playing field, on par with master or graduate level students.

Are there any unspoken rules or recommendations that "they" don't tell you?

For a job in econometrics, the unique identifier is the level of experience with statistical programs and how that person is able to put it into practice. Furman is one of a few undergraduate programs that teaches Stata, a programming tool that we use day in and out at the company I work for. It is not an unspoken truth in the industry and Furman knows that, but it is how well you identify with that software that allows you to set yourself up for potential growth. The more programming a student can familiarize themselves with the more opportunities there are out there. But, be cautious because a broad knowledge of programming techniques without one area of focus can also be a hindrance.  

How has your liberal arts background shaped your career path or supported your success?

A liberal arts background provided me chances to interact with students of varying backgrounds and interests by placing me in classes outside of my comfort zone. This has played a huge role in my post-Furman success as I am more capable than before to relate with coworkers and clients.

What are other skill sets or majors (perhaps unconventional) that thrive in this field?

The ability to speak clearly and effectively and make my presence felt around the room has allowed me to thrive in my line of business. On a daily basis, I make written and verbal communication with directors and data science experts as well as with CEOs, CFOs, and corporate level management. The ability to adapt to my audience and maintain composure has been a huge part of my success. While there is argument over whether this skill is inherent or acquired, it was developed further at Furman through my communication with classmates, professors, and visiting scholars and invited guests, both in person and through writing.

Were there particular courses within the economics department that were especially useful in helping you identify your career or that ended up helping you to be successful in your career?

Empirical Methods led to early success in my working career rather unexpectedly. At the time of the course, I wasn’t aware that I would be applying the techniques I learned to my job daily. Learning Stata (and Tableau to a smaller extent) got me hired, off on the right foot, and promoted within a short period of time.

Were there particular projects or activities from any of your economics courses that were especially useful?

The semester long empirical paper that was assigned in empirical methods is the most notable. I could choose a topic of interest to me and apply the things I learned in class to it using Stata, Tableau, and Microsoft Office, all programs that I use today in my job. Also, the fact that it was an independent project from start to finish has translated well to real life work scenarios. There are points in time where I hit a mental roadblock in research, formatting data, or something of the like and could rely on the help of others in solving, but instead I opt to use my own mental capacity. That’s a trait employers relish in my industry.

Any other "highlights" from your experience in economics?

Your professors are great outlets when it comes to the job search. They know your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and what role would suit you best better than might. They are always in contact with other Furman economic graduates looking to hire Furman students like themselves. They have colleagues in all types of industries, from consulting to political, and can provide a recommendation on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them and have that conversation.