Ashley Taylor

Why did you choose to attend UM?

My journey to UM first started when I visited my older sister during my junior year of high school, and it was there that I learned just how prevalent the term 'velvet ditch' is. Oxford's charm and illusive campus atmosphere instantly felt like home to me, and I couldn't imagine a better place for me to grow and thrive.

When and how did you choose your major(s)/minor(s)?

Originally, I came into college with Health Sciences as my major, but as time went on I had a complete change of heart. I realized my passion lay in current events around the world, policy discussions, and learning about our ever changing economy; so Economics seemed to be like the clear choice for me.

What would you tell a high school student about your major?

Choosing a major in Economics can open a world of opportunities, with a degree in this field you can develop critical thinking skills that are vital in a wide range of fields; from finance to business to policy making and social science. You develop analytical skills crucial to addressing real-world issues, and if this type of work seems interesting Economics could be the perfect fit.

Why is your department a special place?

The Economics department is really a special place; it’s much more intimate than other mega departments on campus, and therefore I feel as though every professor I’ve had with these courses has really cared about the material and us as students, encouraging us to follow our interests and hoping we will succeed. I thoroughly enjoy my major being apart of the College of Liberal Arts, as it combines a multitude of different areas of study across the board, all while combining the students’ interests.

Can you tell me about a professor or a class you've taken that has had the most impact on you?

Public Policy Leadership is my minor, and my first course through this was Fundamentals of Public Policy Leadership with Dr. Holland. Coming into this program, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in intersecting the analytics of economics with the implementation of policy, but was unsure where that might lead me. Dr. Holland’s class was one of the most welcoming and exciting environments that I’ve been in since coming to UM, and he really tries to help each of his students find their niche in the program. I would recommend his class to anyone interested.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

I’m still not completely sure where I’ll end up after college, whether that be going to law school or getting my master’s degree with a hopeful career in international policy work at a Think Tank organization or lobbying firm, or pursuing data analytics and market evaluation. But that’s the beauty of a degree in Economics, especially with my minor, is that there are so many various paths to go down, and provides so many different areas and opportunities.

Apart from school, how do you spend your time in Oxford?

I spend my free time with my friends either exploring new restaurants and stores on the square, or at different sporting events like baseball and football games. Oxford is really such a unique blend of people from all over the country, and coming from out of state I love to explore as much of the town as possible.

What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you'd tell your past self (about the general college experience)?

If I had to tell my freshman self a piece of advice, it would be to try to stop worrying about what the future will look like and focus on experiencing the present. I’m a firm believer in whatever is meant to happen will, and having this mindset really has helped me forgo worries about what my path will look like, or circumstances I can’t control.