Why did you choose to attend UM?
The alumni network here is massive and I knew that I would be presented with the most opportunities for my career after college. Scholarships also played a big role for me to move away from my home state of Alabama. Most of my peers stayed in state while it turns out I was the only one to go to UM. This happened to be the biggest blessing for me to grow as a person and develop new relationships.
When and how did you choose your major(s)/minor(s)?
I chose my major before I enrolled in college through extensive research of topics I felt I would enjoy. Economics turned out to be the best choice for me and I've enjoyed every bit of it so far. It's a unique way of thinking that I don't believe most other majors offer. As for my minor, I chose Sports Administration because it peaked my other interests outside of academics, and believed that it will pair well with my major to hopefully guide my career in a more specific direction.
What would you tell a high school student about your major?
I would tell a high school student that economics is more than just studying statistics. It is understanding how and why people determine their financial decisions and influence everyone around them every single day. When deciding if economics is the right field of study to pursue I suggest that high school students understand that economic courses in your first two years of college are many times transferable to other majors. Give economics a shot and decide for yourself if it is something you would like to continue.
Can you tell me about a professor or a class you've taken that has had the most impact on you?
Professor Thomas Garrett has had a major impact on my career probably without even knowing it. I've never had a class with him but in the Fall of 2022 he forwarded an email to me about a study abroad program in Washington D.C. called TFAS. I applied for it and ended up accepting an internship in Congress working for a member of the House of Representatives while taking classes at George Mason in the Spring semester of 2023. This was a life-changing experience that I could not be more grateful for Professor Garrett's simple email recommendation.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
After my time at UM I hope to enter the financial banking sector and possibly go back to working on The Hill. If I enter politics I would prefer to run as a member of Congress in hopes of proving a positive change for our world.
What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you'd tell your past self?
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