My name is Nadine Chami and I completed my PhD in Economics in 2019. I also graduated with an Honours B.A. in 2014 and an M.A. in 2015 from the same program. The eight years I spent in the Economics program at McMaster opened so many opportunities for me, academically and professionally. The program allowed me to realize how interconnected economics is with so many other fields, such as business studies, health studies, political science, and statistics. The wide variety of undergraduate courses offered by the program, from international development to sports economics, helped me determine early on what topics spark my interest, and ultimately led me to choose a career path in health economics. 

 A huge part of my success in the program is due to the support and resources it offers to students. My professors always had their doors open for any questions and were always willing to provide me with academic and career advice. With many experts in their area of specialization, there is always someone you can seek advice from. The department also has access to a number of state-of-the-art research centres such as the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA), the Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC), and the McMaster Experimental Economics Laboratory (McEEL).

 After completing my undergraduate studies and before starting my MA degree, I was fortunate enough to be offered a summer research assistant position, allowing me to gain experience in quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis which I still use at my job today. The graduate program not only focuses on course studies but encourages students to take on internship positions to enhance their skills and apply their knowledge outside the walls of an academic institution. During my graduate studies I took on internships at the OECD in Paris, France and at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia in Beirut, Lebanon, as well as a contract position at Cancer Care Ontario in Toronto. Today, after graduating with three degrees from the program, I am working at the Ontario Medical Association in Toronto as a Senior Economist in the Healthcare Evaluative Research Team, which entails preparing academic research papers for the purpose of publication. My focus is primarily on the organization, funding and delivery of primary healthcare services in Ontario. What I love about my job is the opportunity to work with data in order to tell a story. 

 My advice for future students entering the program is to take advantage of all available resources, take on internship positions to enhance your skills and learn more about you’re interested in, always ask questions and seek advice from faculty members, and, finally, be curious. You never know what you’ll discover that will set you on your career path.