My name is Tatiana Satizabal and I entered my final semester of Economics at McMaster in September 2019. My initial attraction to the program came from my experience taking economics electives in first year. At the time I was in Commerce, but my enjoyment of those courses captured my attention and led me to research what careers I could have with a degree in Economics. After speaking with multiple professors and academic advisors I made the decision to transfer out of the Faculty of Commerce and into Social Sciences and never looked back! The amount of information and support I received during this transitioning period confirmed I had made the right choice and prepared me for my future in Economics.

 The program provided me with a range of topics to explore all the way from health economics to economic issues to the economics of aging in order to help me narrow down the type of field I want to enter after graduation. The skills I developed in each of these courses allow me to view the world from a completely different perspective and also strengthened my interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Also, the numerous opportunities presented for experiential learning, internship placements, and fieldwork are what really fuel my passion to pursue a future in economics and develop an understanding of the effect of economics in our everyday society.

 My biggest piece of advice to students entering this program is to keep an open mind. Whether it’s about picking electives out of your comfort zone; joining groups of strangers for study sessions; or getting involved in extracurricular/experiential learning opportunities, keeping an open mind will help to set you up for success in whatever you choose to get involved with. I for one took part in Welcome Week as a Social Sciences Representative and gained a substantial amount of knowledge about not only my program but also about all of the other faculties and programs within McMaster. My newfound interpersonal skills I acquired through meeting people both in class and during Welcome Week significantly impacted my confidence towards entering the post-grad world.

 The skills and knowledge I obtained while at McMaster will last a lifetime and will forever benefit my future career whether it be in Budget Analyzing, Public Relations, or Financial Consulting. With Economics my options are endless and I’m confident future students will find this to be true too!