{"id":45966,"date":"2024-04-15T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T19:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/?p=45966"},"modified":"2025-06-11T16:25:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T20:25:18","slug":"dual-masters-completing-a-master-of-economics-and-mba-with-cassandra-blackwell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/2024\/dual-masters-completing-a-master-of-economics-and-mba-with-cassandra-blackwell\/","title":{"rendered":"Dual Masters: Completing a Master of Arts Economics and MBA with Cassandra Blackwell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Dual Masters: Completing a Master of Arts Economics and MBA with Cassandra Blackwell\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Meet Cassandra Blackwell.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"314\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-240x314.jpg\" alt=\"photo of Cassandra Blackwell\" class=\"wp-image-45977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-240x314.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-160x210.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-768x1006.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-400x524.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-1173x1536.jpg 1173w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-360x472.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April-200x262.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/112\/Cassandra-Headshot-April.jpg 1446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cassandra recently graduated with a dual <a href=\"https:\/\/calendar.carleton.ca\/grad\/gradprograms\/business\/#Master_of_Arts_Economics_with_Concentration_in_Financial_Economics____Master_of_Business_Administration__with_Concentration_in_Finance_and_Economics\">Master of Arts Economics with Concentration in Financial Economics &#8211; Master of Business Administration with Concentration in Finance and Economics<\/a>.&nbsp; She currently works as an Economist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. We had the chance to discuss her dual Masters experience, sharing her insights and how this unique education combination is setting her up for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    \n    <dl class=\"cu-description cu-component-updated\">\n        \n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-after-completing-your-bachelor-of-political-studies-at-u-ottawa-what-motivated-you-to-purse-a-masters-at-carleton\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    After completing your Bachelor of Political Studies at U Ottawa, what motivated you to purse a Master\u2019s at Carleton?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-after-completing-your-bachelor-of-political-studies-at-u-ottawa-what-motivated-you-to-purse-a-masters-at-carleton\">\n            \n\n<p><em>During my undergrad, I found Economics a little bit later, as I think a lot of students do. Jumping into an undergrad, choosing a direction, and not really knowing if it\u2019s exactly what they want to do.&nbsp; That\u2019s what happened to me.&nbsp; I fell into Political Science and discovered Economics through taking electives.&nbsp; I was only able to do Economics as a minor, but I still had questions about Economics following my undergraduate degree.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&nbsp;<\/em><em>I found that in Political Science it was more about what decisions were made that led to a specific scenario and not so much&nbsp;<strong><u>how<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;those decisions were made.&nbsp; When I started talking the causes of political events, economics was constantly popping up as a key factor. Those discussions didn\u2019t really go deeper into what economic decisions meant, so that sparked curiosity \u2013 there\u2019s no way it\u2019s just \u201cEconomics\u201d as a blank statement!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I love having the opportunity to \u2018dive-in\u2019 and follow various threads, which you get to do with Economics. It is so fun! You follow one thread to see if it is the core cause of a scenario, the end of a tunnel, or just the beginning on of a new area of research! Economics often goes somewhere else, and you keep following; it leads you down a lot of different rabbit holes. The constant uncovering is what I really like about the research of economics.&nbsp;<strong>I knew that I wanted to do my Master\u2019s of Economics, just from an interest perspective.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>When I graduated from my undergraduate degree, I was still left with questions about economics that I wanted to better understand, and my professors and uOttawa recommended the program at Carleton based on the high esteem of the professors and quality of research.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-was-the-deciding-factor-to-pursue-a-dual-masters-of-economics-and-mba-at-carleton\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    What was the deciding factor to pursue a dual Master\u2019s of Economics and MBA at Carleton?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-was-the-deciding-factor-to-pursue-a-dual-masters-of-economics-and-mba-at-carleton\">\n            \n\n<p><em>It was always in the back of my mind to pursue my MA Economics based on my interest, but I worked in project management after my undergraduate degree, which very much required business knowledge. As I was moving towards work in portfolio management and strategic decision-making, it was very obvious to me that there was a knowledge gap that I wanted to fill.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>That said, I was really on the edge of going to pursue more education or not 2 years after I graduated from my undergraduate degree. when I eventually made the decision, &nbsp;it came from hearing the stories of women who followed their interests and passions in my home community.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>During COVID, my friend and I started a podcast that aimed to highlight the stories of women entrepreneurs and community leaders from our hometown of Kamloops BC, in the pursuit of inspiring other women to take leaps of faith and learn from their stories. In turn, I was the one who was inspired, as I saw that each of the women we interviewed talked about investing in their passions, and how by doing so, they were able to not only advance their personal careers, but build up the communities around them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>So that really inspired me to start looking at Master\u2019s programs. I was hopeful that there was a university that could accommodate my two interests, but I didn\u2019t know if both was an option anywhere. &nbsp;So I started looking into different programs, \u2013 both MBA and MA Economics programs, and I came across the dual degree at Carleton! The dual program happened to be in a city I was already familiar with, and at a school that had already been recommended to me. It felt like the opportunity was a perfect fit.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-which-areas-of-economics-are-you-most-interested-in-has-that-changed-or-evolved-as-you-progress-through-the-program\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Which areas of Economics are you most interested in? Has that changed or evolved as you progress through the program?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-which-areas-of-economics-are-you-most-interested-in-has-that-changed-or-evolved-as-you-progress-through-the-program\">\n            \n\n<p><em>I was really interested in financial economics during my undergrad. I was specifically researching financial crises like the Great Recession in 2008.&nbsp; It was really interesting to me what happened in the states and why didn\u2019t it happen in Canada. Studying Political Science only answered half of those questions.&nbsp; I wanted to dig a little bit further. &nbsp;Seeing that there was a financial Economics concentration at Carleton that would allow me to keep pursuing that research and addressing those questions, was what really attracted me to the program.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Now, I currently work in sustainable finance, so my interests have led me more into the environmental economics side.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-is-sustainable-finance\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    What is sustainable finance?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-is-sustainable-finance\">\n            \n\n<p><em>Sustainable finance is the \u00a0financial activities that consider environment, social, and governance factors to promote long-term sustainable growth. For example, it refers to the investment into new green technology or investment in climate risk mitigation activities. The emphasis is around where the funds are going when we talk about sustainable finance. My research investigates whether funding is going to renewable areas, and asking questions such as, \u201cWhy are people making decisions not to invest there?\u201d or \u201cHow do we change incentives to encourage people and financial institutions to invest in a green economy?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-have-been-the-most-interesting-and-or-applicable-courses-in-the-program\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    What have been the most interesting and\/or applicable course(s) in the program?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-have-been-the-most-interesting-and-or-applicable-courses-in-the-program\">\n            \n\n<p><em>There have been quite a few classes that have directly related to my work and my interests, which has been really nice! \u00a0I would say the financial economic courses have been the most interesting and very applicable because of completing finance studies in the MBA. I would say probably most useful for me so far has been the Economics of Public Policy course with Doctor Christopher Worswick. \u00a0It was a course about economic policy research for students not necessarily from an economics background, but it used an economic lens to look at current policy problems. Although the course is part of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/graduate-studies\/the-graduate-diploma-gdip-in-economic-policy-2\/\"><strong>Graduate<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Diploma in Economic Policy<\/strong><\/a>, I was able to take it as an elective, and it was incredibly useful for my work in economic policy research.\u00a0 I was able to connect economic theories to the relevant policies that I was working on, which was really great.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-economics-is-a-rapidly-evolving-field-in-what-ways-has-the-program-content-incorporated-current-events-and-the-changing-economic-landscape\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Economics is a rapidly evolving field, in what ways has the program content incorporated current events and the changing economic landscape?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-economics-is-a-rapidly-evolving-field-in-what-ways-has-the-program-content-incorporated-current-events-and-the-changing-economic-landscape\">\n            \n\n<p><em>I have to hand it to the professors, in terms of making courses relevant to what\u2019s going on in Economics today. I think we are very lucky to be in Ottawa, in Canada\u2019s capital, because a lot of the professors and students work in, or consult on, economic matters that are happening in real time. Not only do the professors share their analyses on situations, but they open up lectures for discussion on what is happening. Sometimes we\u2019ll see our professor on the radio the next day or on TV talking about what we talked about in class! This is a great advantage of Carleton and our location. It has really helped me understand the concepts better and apply what we\u2019re learning.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What networking opportunities or experiential learning have you leveraged through this program?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Within the program, I would say half are full time students and the other half are working professionals.&nbsp; We have a lot of people that work for financial institutions or for various government departments, that are upskilling with the Master\u2019s degree, but already work in economics. I<\/em>t\u2019s really great to be able to network and collaborate with these students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the community in Ottawa, and Carleton specifically, promotes peer networking strongly. Carleton offers an internship program for MA Economics students, which leverages the schools extensive community connections to align students with incredible work opportunities.&nbsp;<strong>I currently work where I had my internship, and I am very thankful for the program in that regard!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-how-has-the-masters-in-economics-complimented-the-mba\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    How has the Master\u2019s in Economics complimented the MBA?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-how-has-the-masters-in-economics-complimented-the-mba\">\n            \n\n<p><em>They are incredibly complimentary. I didn\u2019t realize it as much as at the beginning of the program as I do now, but sometimes Economics is intensely theoretical; it\u2019s very abstract, talking about a representative firm that\u2019s making perfectly efficient decisions. Whereas in the MBA, the focus was really on how to make those direct day-to-day decisions.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I found Economics focuses on efficiency, finding the perfect equilibrium between societal and business factors. In the MBA we talked about how businesses are shifting to consider their social purpose to benefit all stakeholders, not just shareholders<\/em><em>, and to do that, thinking holistically about efficiency and conducting cost-benefit analyses is crucial. In economics, we consider all actors in the economy and how they interact, and as we businesses shift to that perspective as well, thinking like an economist is more and more valuable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Additionally, I concentrated in Financial Management in the MBA, so understanding the economics behind finance allows me to see financial decisions from another perspective, allowing me to make more efficient decisions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-have-you-had-opportunities-to-apply-your-economics-degree-in-your-current-position\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Have you had opportunities to apply your Economics degree in your current position?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-have-you-had-opportunities-to-apply-your-economics-degree-in-your-current-position\">\n            \n\n<p><em><br>Yes, definitely!\u00a0 I use my Master\u2019s of Economics probably every single day!. Working in sustainable finance with the government, Economic Policy Research is my job, so I get to use my skills from writing research papers and analyzing economic data that I gained from my degree. I recommend policy changes too, which is something that we practiced in class and now I get to do in my job!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-is-sustainable-finance-growing-are-their-avenues-for-advancement\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Is Sustainable Finance growing, are their avenues for advancement?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-is-sustainable-finance-growing-are-their-avenues-for-advancement\">\n            \n\n<p><em>Sustainable finance is growing! There is a growing amount of international organizations promoting sustainable finance, and there are national policy considerations regarding, and encouraging, sustainable finance. Canada has net-zero transition goals for 2050, and finance plays a significant role in achieving them. Canadian financial institutions are really starting to focus on sustainable finance, and a lot more research and analysis can be done by new and future MA Economics graduates!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-career-avenues-or-opportunities-do-you-see-for-yourself-particularly-those-that-would-not-have-been-possible-without-the-masters-of-economics\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    What career avenues or opportunities do you see for yourself, particularly those that would not have been possible without the Master\u2019s of Economics?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-career-avenues-or-opportunities-do-you-see-for-yourself-particularly-those-that-would-not-have-been-possible-without-the-masters-of-economics\">\n            \n\n<p><strong><em>I think the biggest benefit and knowledge gained from the master\u2019s degree came from the opportunity to work with data.&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>Almost every business is now focusing on leveraging data to make decisions, and not everyone has the background or experience to use data, clean data, or visualize data, which we get hands-on experience within the Economics program. Having that skill in your pocket is valuable, no matter what field you\u2019re going into.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In general, the Master\u2019s of Economics has opened up a lot of different doors for me career wise. Previously I was working in project management, but now I have a whole new range of opportunities. When I look at my career, because of my economics background, I can work in any field and for any firm that aims to leverage data and economic research to make efficient decisions for sustained growth.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-is-there-anything-you-wish-you-knew-before-starting-the-program-that-would-have-helped-with-the-success-of-your-studies\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Is there anything you wish you knew before starting the program that would have helped with the success of your studies?\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-is-there-anything-you-wish-you-knew-before-starting-the-program-that-would-have-helped-with-the-success-of-your-studies\">\n            \n\n<p><em>I wish I knew how intense it would be! Doing two degrees at once is not for the faint of heart, and that first semester is very intense. I would definitely tell my past self to go and have as much fun as possible before starting this program, because you\u2019re about to spend most of your free time in the library for the next two years. The MBA runs 6-week long courses, while the Masters of Economics is 12 week-long courses, and that can be very difficult to manage when finals and midterms overlap!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Also, I wish I knew ahead of time that its difficult to understand Economics without help or without somebody working through the problems with you. In the Master\u2019s of Economics you really need to sit down and work through problems with your colleagues. While that was difficult at times, this aspect of the program allowed me to network and build strong friendships!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>And I wish I knew earlier to not be shy about asking questions! At first, I was nervous about going up to professors, knowing that they are all so incredibly busy.&nbsp; However,&nbsp;<strong>the Economics department is incredibly supportive<\/strong>. I quicky realized how willing the professors and the administrators are to help, not just with questions about homework or the theories, but also with career advice. It was nice to have that support throughout the process and know that the department is rooting for us!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet Cassandra Blackwell. Cassandra recently graduated with a dual Master of Arts Economics with Concentration in Financial Economics &#8211; Master of Business Administration with Concentration in Finance and Economics.&nbsp; She currently works as an Economist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. We had the chance to discuss her dual Masters experience, sharing her insights and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":45984,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45966"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50061,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45966\/revisions\/50061"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/economics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}