Tyler Hilbert, a senior at the College of Wooster, is currently pursuing a degree in Business Economics with a minor in Data Science and Physical Education. Fascinated by investments and the stock markets since he was a kid, he gravitated towards topics in business and finance. Choosing Business Economics was a perfect match, integrating his passion into his intellectual pursuits.
For Tyler, the standout departmental opportunity is the three-semester senior thesis experience called “IS”. Since childhood, he enjoyed collecting sports cards and Pokémon cards, a shared hobby with his dad, who was particularly passionate about collecting Hot Wheels. When faced with the challenge of deciding on an IS project, Tyler turned to his dad’s suggestion: exploring the financial aspects of collectibles. This idea seamlessly blended Tyler’s childhood interests with a practical and intriguing project. His IS asks how collectibles fare during recessions and can be added into a diversified financial portfolio. After reading the literature on this topic, Tyler came up with his own rational choice model to explain how an investor would choose between investing in a collectible versus an equity. Tyler’s model goes further by arguing that collectors experience additional consumption utility over and above the investment return, adding an intriguing dimension to Tyler’s innovative approach.
Tyler has enjoyed his time in Wooster’s Economics department for two key reasons. Firstly, the department’s professors stand out for their exceptional supportiveness. They readily address questions and actively guide students to a deep and comprehensive understanding of the material. This commitment to fostering deeper learning has enriched his academic experience. The second special aspect is the intentional structure of the economics department curriculum. Each class is designed to lead students towards their IS projects. According to Tyler, the initial introductory courses lay the groundwork, providing a foundational understanding, while the intermediate courses progressively elevate students’ knowledge in economics, equipping them for independent research. Looking back on his academic journey within the department, Tyler recognizes the progression in his knowledge, attributing his intellectual growth to the scaffolded structure of the economics classes.
Tyler has also benefitted from the co-curricular programming in the department. For example, Jenny Investment Club has been a fantastic opportunity for him. He enjoyed conducting research on stocks and presenting his research suggestions to grow the portfolio. Another memorable experience was this year’s Wilson Lecture featuring alum, Dan Griffis. Tyler ended up having an affirming conversation with Dan. His two takeaways from the conversation were to “Bett on oneself”, and,: “Fear being slow more than you fear being 100% right.”
Currently, Tyler is enrolled in the Business Consulting class. Students are partnered with clients from actual businesses. Tyler is working for Common Owner, a company operating a real estate crowdfunding platform. Tyler and his team have to analyze and provide insights on the feasibility of expanding into the Historical Tax Credit (HTC) market. So far, Tyler and his team have delved into vast amounts of competitor data and industry trends to obtain insights that will inform the client’s strategic decision-making.
Tyler’s primary advice for students taking courses in economics is to ask questions; it’s perfectly fine if certain concepts are confusing. Secondly, he advises to avoid procrastination. Tyler has learned that by staying on top of tasks, he has used the remaining time to seek clarification and grow his understanding of the material and enhance his performance.