What do you like most about your program?

What I liked most about the Economic Policy program at McMaster University is how well it prepares you to enter the job market. You still go over important micro/macroeconomic models and maximization problems, but most of the focus is teaching you skills that you will implement in your future career. The professors in the program are very knowledgeable and always willing to put in some extra time to help you out with your studies and career. One of my professors (Professor Sweetman) even helped me update my resume and regularly sent me job opportunities that he thought would fit my skillset.

What do you find beneficial about your program?

There are many benefits to taking the Masters in Economic Policy program, the first one is the length it takes to complete your degree. You gain so much important knowledge in a short amount of time and in just 12 short months you are a master’s graduate; the opportunity cost is definitely worth it. Being around like-minded people with similar goals is also very beneficial. I have learned almost as much from my peers and their various backgrounds as I did from the policy program.

In your opinion, what is the value of an economics degree?

In today’s climate, an Economics degree is invaluable. It can lead you to so many different career paths in the public or private fields: economist, financial/data analyst, researcher, accountant, consultant, etc. Furthermore, it can help you understand and analyze everyday policy changes that are occurring in your city/province/country. Having a basic understanding of Economics can help you develop better spending habits, gain important knowledge and skills that employers want, and enable you to contribute to the greater good of society.

What advice would you give to a current student interested in career options?

You have to be passionate about what you’re doing if you want to make it your career. Go out of your way to get involved on campus, go to your department events and get to know your professors. Seek internship opportunities early on, the more work experience you can get early on in your degree the better equipped you will be when you’re on the job hunt after graduating. Find a balance with your social life, burnout is a real problem! If you can find a healthy balance between your social life and your schooling/work, you’re going to be set up well for a good future.

What advice would you give a future student interested in the department or programs?

Ask lots of questions! You will quickly learn that people love talking about the things they are passionate about. Ask about what the student life on campus is like, what you can do with this type of degree, how many students typically get jobs after graduating. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions that you think are important, this is YOUR future and you deserve to have the best opportunities.

What do you like most about your program?

I love that the MAEP has such a strong focus on public policy as opposed to the MA which is much more theory-based. The required courses and electives all have a focus on the implications for public policy and they provide answers to interesting policy questions. The MAEP also has a small cohort – everybody in the program knows each other, we all take mostly the same classes, and we are all pretty close and get together outside of classes.

What do you find beneficial about your program?

The required MAEP courses provide the tools and techniques to analyze public policy using the economic theory learned in undergraduate economics. These courses along with econometrics provide the statistical tools to analyze and derive insights from data. I love the interesting selection of economics elective available in the fall and winter terms. These electives allow students to gain a deeper understanding of different strands of economics beyond micro and macro.

In your opinion, what is the value of an Economics degree?

An economics degree provides students with not only a unique perspective but the analytical skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.  Economics teaches you how to better understand what is happening in the world and in the media as it relates to the economy, government spending and finance. An economics degree provides the flexibility and the skills to work for the public sector, the private sector or continue in academia.

What advice would you give to a current student interested in career options?

Apply to any and all jobs that align with your skills, interest and education. The worst thing you can do is not apply to a job because you think you’re under-qualified. Practice extrapolating and expanding on your skills and experiences. Continually update your resume and LinkedIn profile so when you apply to jobs you have the most recent skills and experience information.

What advice would you give a future student interested in the department or programs?

Stay organized – write down your assignments, due dates and other deadlines at the beginning of the term so you always know what’s coming. Find a study method that works for you and stick with it but be flexible in the approach. Adapt your study style based on the style of the course (microeconomics vs. econometrics). Keep track of your assignment grades so you know where you stand heading into final exam season.

What do you like most about your program?  

The people. The professors and administration have been great. They have challenged me for the better, but I always knew I was supported and that they wanted me to succeed. 
 

What do you find beneficial about your program?  

The MA program forced me to learn beyond the textbook. It made me challenge what I thought I knew and why. I am more confident in my economic knowledge now, and I am ready to bring these skills into the workforce.

In your opinion, what is the value of an economics degree?  

Economics is so flexible and applicable to everything. It is more than the stock markets and prices; it is a way of understanding how the world interacts with itself. Understanding economics allows you to go into whatever industry you want with a solid foundation. 

What advice would you give to a current student interested in career options?  

Get involved and try new things. As you get involved in clubs, activities and areas you are passionate about, not only will you meet new people and expand your network, you will find new career opportunities in places you never imagined. Additionally, more experience helps you know what you enjoy doing and what you don’t. That was my biggest struggle as I considered my future career: What do I want to be when I grow up?

What do you like most about your program?

What I liked best about my program was that the real-world relevance of studying economics was always expressed throughout each course. I also appreciated having extremely well-trained professors who were clearly enthusiastic about the topics they were teaching. As the years passed, these factors only bolstered my passion for economics.

What do you find beneficial about your program?

The specialist option has been the most beneficial aspect of my program. I believe that the additional training in econometric theory has helped me progress along the career path I want to pursue. It has also given me an advantage in the job market.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Social Science degree?

The value of a social science degree, or any degree, is what you make of it. If you have goals you want to pursue, it’s about finding the right path to achieving them. What makes a social science degree unique is the ability to incorporate subjectivity and human behaviour into our studies. It enables us to see the world as it is. That, in and of itself, is a humble perspective to gain that distinguishes you from most other disciplines.

What advice would you give to a current student interested in career options?

My advice to current students is to be proactive. Opportunities rarely present themselves randomly, you must work to get them. If you are interested in research, stay and talk to your professors outside of class and go to office hours. Make connections wherever you can and network with peers and professionals in the field you see yourself in.

What advice would you give a future student interested in the department or programs?

If you are interested in economics, don’t be afraid to take extra math and computer science electives. They will only bolster your ability to get a job or pursue further training in the field.

Studying at McMaster made me truly interested in macroeconomic and development issues.  It helped me develop a wealth of knowledge in international economics and the ability to look at problems from both theoretical and practical perspectives, which I appreciated a lot. 

The best experience I had was meeting such wonderful classmates, teachers, and alumni. They provided strong support in my studies and in life.

What do you like most about your program?  

The MAEP is focused more on application and not just theory. It exposes students to what they will meet in the labor market, a vital tool for success.  

What do you find beneficial about your program?  

It is a discipline that offers broad opportunities, ranging from the public to the private sector. 

In your opinion, what is the value of an economics degree?  

The value of an Economics degree cannot be quantified because its value runs for some generations to come. Aside from its financial benefits, it has a positive externality to society that cannot be fully quantified.   

What advice would you give to a current student interested in career options?  

When you have a dream, chase it, follow it with passion because someday you will look back and be proud of what you will have achieved.  

What advice would you give a future student interested in the department or program?  

McMaster is home for all and not just a school. It has an enabling environment that integrates students and lecturers, and forms a bond beyond the classroom. If you need a family and an enabling environment, McMaster is the right home.