Global Awareness:
In terms of global awareness, I have extensively paid attention to issues of economics policy on the global scale as they unfold, and I’ve also taken classes on the history of the global economy, the history of the economy of the americas, and the current economic issues that affect both the US and the global community. Although I have not and do not plan to travel abroad, this does not in any way mean that I have ignored the importance of the global community.
Original Inquiry:
Currently I am seeking to perform research in two distinct economic areas, The first is to look at a wide range of factors in state universities in the Midwest to see if mental health spending per student has an impact on suicide rates. The second is more experimental, and focuses on how depression symptoms impact economic behavior in a laboratory setting. The goal of both of these studies is to provide motivation for both the field of economics and universities to take notice of the impact of mental illness on people’s behaviors, and the necessity of actually committing resources to ensure mental health issues are properly addressed.
Academic Enrichment:
I have currently taken far more 4000+ level classes than required for the honors program, and I intend to take more as I further develop my understanding of the field of economics. Although I have not pursued a minor, I have spent the time that has afforded me taking classes that have given me a broad and deep understanding of the current state of economics as a scientific field, and this has helped me to see how each area of economics aligns with my strengths, weaknesses, and preferences.
Leadership Development:
During my time here, I have primarily developed and demonstrated my leadership talents through my involvement with Moneything and my job as a tutor from the economics department. Moneythink is, put briefly, a club through which OSU students go out into high schools in the local community and mentor high school students about financial literacy, college/job readiness, and other vital life skills that aren’t taught in schools. Both of my leadership roles have centered around the ability to get along with and communicate vital information to people of vastly varying backgrounds, experience levels, levels of interest, and degrees of academic ability, which is a vital skills for any leader to have. In addition, I have been promoted to Lead Tutor, which adds the responsibility of ensuring that all of the other Econ tutors are performing their jobs well, as well as organizing the tutoring schedule and proposing changes to improve the tutoring center.
Service Engagement:
As previously mentioned, I have been involved extensively with Moneythink’s goal to provide high school students a more solid grounding in financial literacy, a topic that is often left out of a typical high school education. In addition, through Moneythink’s partnerships with other organizations, I have also taken part in information campaigns against sex trafficking, cleaned streets of columbus, and collected water for Flint, Michigan (they may be That State Up North, but the right thing to do is the right thing to do). Overall I have found no shortage of opportunities to serve my community on a local and national level, and I have had no shortage of desire to do so.