Why is Economics for you Read what students have to say

1
Why is Economics for you? Read what students have
to say
Simon Halliday, BSocSc
Trevor Chuma, BBusSc Winner Old Mutual Nedbank
Budget Speech Competition 2007
Having studied a B.Soc. Sci for my undergrad, I
realised that pursuing my interest in Economics
would give me a good grounding for later policy
work and research into the economic problems
which our country faces. I have been overwhelmed
by the number of opportunities presented to me by
the department in terms of choice of study and my
research interests. My masters thesis has
involved sociology and genetics in addition to
the customary approaches of economics.   Furthermo
re, the programme has offered me the direction
and skills for further study, or the option to
leave and work in either the private or public
sectors.   Yearly student conferences with the
Universities of Stellenbosch and the Western Cape
offer interaction with students from other
departments . Furthermore, when viewing the
papers presented by UCT students the conference
acts as testament to the high calibre of student
that UCT produces.   I endorse UCTs Economics
Department to any who would pursue a career in
policy, development or other such allied pursuits
When I started studying at UCT in 2003 I was
registered under a B.BusSc (Actuarial Science).
In my third year, after having enjoyed most of my
economics courses up until that time, I then
decided to further my studies in the discipline
by adding third year economics to my Actuarial
Science stream. My passion for the subject grew
as I tutored macroeconomics to 2nd year students-
this also broadened my understanding of topical
economic issues through intellectual debates with
my tutees. It is towards the end of the year that
I acknowledged that I thoroughly enjoyed my
economics to the point of pursuing it even
further to Honours level. I then formalized my
decision by registering for B.BusSc (Economics)
in 2006. Said a friend of mine of me, in
reference to my decision to take the economics
route, Trevor would much rather get a first
class pass in economics than an exemption in
Actuarial Science.   One of my lecturers said to
me that I would learn more in my economics
honours year than all my undergraduate years put
together. That could not be truer. More than
anything, Economics Honours has enabled me to
develop into a far more lateral thinker and my
decisions are always backed by a very thoughtful
process. This has proved to be very useful thus
far in my work experience in the private sector.
My plans for further study are to write my CFA
exams and hopefully qualify accordingly.
Economics as a discipline offers learners a
competitive advantage- needed in any industry-of
being able to effectively apply your mind.
Daniel Trappler, BBusSc
Kate Orkin, BSocSc
I was unsure what to study when leaving high
school so started off with an undergrad in
Business Science, majoring in Economics. Given my
experience of the subject in high school, I knew
that Economics, as a discipline, does not
narrowly restrict ones skill set, but rather
challenges and develops ones mathematical,
writing, and conceptual faculties.   As one
progresses through the School of Economics, one
is able to fine-tune ones interests into one (or
more) sub-fields. I selected the finance and
international trade options in completing my
Business Science degree with honours in
Economics. This I did concurrently with tutoring
in the department, which is a great way to earn
extra money consolidate ones undergrad
material and is a great opportunity offered by
the department to develop ones leadership
skills.   Upon completion of my Business Science,
I went straight into a two year Economics Masters
degree, where I again In nearing the end of my
masters degree, I began applying to major
overseas investments banks, and was flown over to
London for an interview with JP Morgan. After an
intensive 8 hour interview process, competing
against local graduates from Oxford, Cambridge,
and LSE, I was offered a position in their London
branch as a Junior Analyst. I am now about to
commence a two month training programme in New
York with other graduates from around the world,
before settling for some years in the London
financial services industry.   My experience at
the UCT School of Economics was crucial in the
development of both my analytical and
inter-personal skills, and I cherish the memories
and relationships made there. continued to
specialise in the areas in finance, international
finance, and international trade. My masters
thesis focused on bilateral international trade
exchange rate dynamics, which I completed whilst
lecturing undergrad economics on a contract
basis.  
I first got interested in this area through
debating at high school and chose to study
Economics, Politics and English for my
undergraduate degree. I did a lot of community
development work at university in education
projects, and became particularly interested in
education policy and local government
capacity-development issues.   I chose Economics
for Honours because I thought it would equip me
with a broad range of quantitative and
qualitative skills. I wasn't disappointed - I
gained a solid background in Maths, Stats and
theory. I had enormous flexibility in my elective
options, enabling me to study survey methods,
South African economic policy and African growth
issues. The degree gave me a solid grounding and
the flexibility to choose among a number of
options for my Masters.   The Department is an
incredibly exciting place to be. I've had
opportunities to go to conferences and to do
summer courses at universities we partner with.
I've done research work and fieldwork. I've
studied with fascinating people from all over
Africa. Most importantly, I've had the privilege
to be mentored by leading academics in their
field, who are supportive and thoughtful and
really care about their students.   I was awarded
an SA-at-large Rhodes Scholarship and will read
for the Mphil in Development Studies at Oxford. I
was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. I hope
to complete a PhD in the US after the MPhil and
work for a multilateral organization like the
World Bank or United Nat ions Development
Programme. Afterwards, I would like to return to
South Africa to work in the Treasury or the
Ministry of Education.  
My undergraduate degree was a Philosophy,
Politics and Economics Degree a radical change
from my first year at UCT which was spent
studying medicine. Despite some pressure to
pursue a Commerce degree, I found Humanities
subjects incredibly stimulating, requiring the
application of a mix of technical, analytical and
creative skills. I believe this was the best
preparation I could have for postgraduate
studies. I have found the freedom to structure
my degree using a balance of common sense and a
healthy dose of genuine interest. I have also
enjoyed disproving the fallacy that Humanities
students cant do Economics. There is a fantastic
semester exchange organised by UCTs
International Academic Programme Office I spent
a semester at the University of California at
Berkeley. I recently received the fantastic
news that I have been granted a 2-year
scholarship to read for the MPhil in Economics at
Oxford. After completing this qualification, I
hope to pursue PhD studies with the intent of
focussing specifically on the design of relevant
and effective economic policy in developing
country settings. Thereafter, I see myself
working in a research environment such as an
economic consultancy, treasury or a university.
Margaret Irving, BSocSc Winner Old Mutual
Nedbank Budget Speech Competition 2005