B.ECON Student Ambassadors

Desmond Anuku

B.ECON with concentration in Financial Economics, 2nd year

I chose economics because I believe that I will gain a much more vast and diverse understanding of financial systems and the process of making financial decisions using economic understanding.

What has been one highlight of your experience in the program so far?

The highlight of my program so far has been the ability to work as an economics ambassador for the department, being a point of reference and answering questions from a peer point of view for students coming into the program.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

Currently I want to go into wealth management. I am studying in hopes of taking my CFA exam in the coming summer!

Anne-Shirley D.

B.ECON with concentration in Financial Economics, 3rd year

I took an economics class in high school and took an immediate interest to the subject. I love that my Economics degree is multidisciplinary and I get to take classes in mathematics, computer science, statistics and finance. My interests lie in several fields, so Economics allows me to explore several at once.

What has been one highlight of your experience in the program so far?

This summer, I had the opportunity to research with the former dean of the Economics department. Learning how to create VAR models and conduct formal research has been invaluable to me. I am also participating in the Bank of Canada Governor’s challenge this semester and can’t wait to learn more about forecasting inflation.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

I’m currently taking the steps to pursue a higher education after my degree. I’ve always considered myself a lifetime learner. There’s so much more I’d like to learn and my education journey won’t end any time soon. 

Portia Ikiriza

B.ECON with concentration in Financial Economics, 2nd year

Economics is an often underrated yet fundamental factor in our daily lives. It offers valuable insights into how financial policies, such as monetary and fiscal policies, directly or indirectly impact us. For me, there’s a unique satisfaction in working through the mathematical aspects of Economics, which deepens my appreciation for the subject.

What has been one highlight of your experience in the program so far?

A key highlight of my program so far has been taking Intermediate Macroeconomics II (ECON 2103) with Professor Ahmad Malgarai. His teaching not only deepened my understanding of the macroeconomic world but also heightened my passion for the subject—something I didn’t think was possible.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

The beauty of my program is the wide range of career opportunities it offers. While I haven’t decided on a specific path yet, I am leaning toward a career in financial analysis. I also plan to pursue a master’s degree to further strengthen my qualifications.

Abigail M.

B.ECON with concentration in Mathematics & Quantitative Economics, 4th year

I chose to pursue a degree in economics because I enjoyed mathematics and finance in high school. After beginning my studies at Carleton University, I was inspired by the various ways in which economics can have a positive impact on people’s lives.

What has been one highlight of your experience in the program so far?

There were two experiences which greatly enhanced my university experience at Carleton.

Firstly, I had the opportunity to participate in the Carleton Undergraduate Research Opportunity (CUROP), where I researched youth financial literacy under Professor Woolley’s guidance. Through this program, I had the opportunity to address a problem that mattered to me while learning more about research and the broad scope of fields in which economics can be applied.

Additionally, I had the privilege of being a part of Carleton’s Governors Challenge team. Through the competition, my teammates and I analyzed the Canadian and international landscape and forecasts of key macroeconomic variables. Then we utilized our findings to present monetary policy recommendations at the Bank of Canada. After winning the preliminary round, we had the opportunity to compete in the finals where we met the governor and networked to learn more about work opportunities at the Bank of Canada.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I would like to pursue a PhD in financial economics with a focus on housing. Upon completing my education, I hope to conduct research to develop policy that makes affordable housing more accessible.