One of the main reasons I chose to major in economics is because of the freedom it gave me in choosing a career. I feel the skills I am learning in Economics can really be useful in any field or industry. Since declaring my major, I have tailored my interests to focus on the economics of natural resource management. While economics is often associated with consumption, I’ve learned how to use economic tools to support conservation through many classes and projects at the College.
For example, in my sophomore year, I worked one-on-one with Dr. Moses Luri, investigating the effect oil and gas production has on at-risk bird species. I spoke with state biologists, collected and analyzed data, and produced a professional report on my findings. Through the economics department, I also learned about Wooster’s Local Social Entrepreneurship Program, which provided me the opportunity to consult for the Ohio State University’s Agroecosystem Management Program. Our team interviewed agricultural researchers from across the world and used the insights to develop a report on funding and management strategies for OSU’s new research program. These experiences then helped me secure an internship with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, where I worked as an environmental economic researcher. Using methods learned at the College, I wrote a report outlining the processes for conducting an ecosystem valuation. Valuations such as these can help inform management decisions and advocate for increased conservation funding.
All of this work helped guide me toward the topic for my senior Independent Study. Currently, I am researching the impacts that rising sea levels have on housing markets in Boston, Massachusetts. Beaches and other coastal ecosystems have traditionally generated revenue through recreation and other local economic opportunities. My research aims to see if climate change is affecting these markets.
Wooster’s economic department has given me many opportunities to work on interesting and unique projects. But more importantly, the classes I take every day are engaging and interesting because this department has some of the most involved and supportive professors on campus. In and out of the classroom, economics at Wooster has helped prepare me for any work that I may do in the future.