Alumnae Share Where Their Economics Major Has Taken Them

By Amelia Yeager ’20

Five alumnae returned to the Hill last Monday evening to illustrate how a Kenyon degree in economics can launch careers in a wide range of industries— from journalism, to finance, to academia, to law. Students and faculty gathered for desserts and discussion to learn from this panel of Women in Economics: Beyond Ascension Hall.

Many current students asked the panelists about their experiences with internships. Sophie Alexander ’18, who now works as a Wealth Reporter for Bloomberg News, has had her share. “For me, doing an internship every summer was a way to discover things that Kenyon didn’t teach,” she said, citing a journalism internship in the newsroom of her local public radio station. “Luckily enough, my last of several internships turned into a full-time job.” 

Jacqueline Nguyen ‘14 found a passion for academia at Kenyon that initially translated into a master’s degree in Economics and Social Sciences from Università Bocconi in Milan, Italy. Now, she’s pursuing a PhD in Economics from the University of Maryland, and found that her liberal arts education naturally applies to her duties in research projects. “My academic intuition, my curiosity and original ideas—those are all from Kenyon,” she said. “I have a strong educational foundation that is really valuable in grad school.” 

Each panelist spoke to the importance of having a mentor in both academic and professional contexts. “Find people who will champion you, but not speak for you,” said Mariah Williamson ’16, a Senior Internal Auditor for Macy’s Corporate Finance who utilized her workplace’s formal mentoring program to connect with a more experienced colleague. “The best mentors will advocate for you,” added Sarah Kahwash ‘14, a Judicial Clerk for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and recent graduate of Harvard Law School. She advised students to take initiative in reaching out to potential mentors: “people truly are invested in you, and they want to see you succeed.” 

Claire O’Donnell-McCarthy ’17, who works in Client Services at BlackRock, a global investment and financial planning firm, cites her Kenyon experience as integral to her confidence in the workplace. “I realized I knew the answer just as well as anyone around me, so I started raising my hand,” she said. “It’s definitely a male-dominated field, but there’s no reason to limit yourself because of that.” Nguyen agreed. “Don’t be shy in sharing your good ideas,” she added. “If you’re well-prepared, you have a strong argument, and you’re confident in it, you will do well.”

Although some of the panelists have found work in unexpected disciplines, a Kenyon economics degree has shaped each of their careers. In Kahwash’s experience, “law is infused with economic thinking and framing. It’s all about finding a reasonable way to structure outcomes, and to get people to respond to incentives.” For O’Donnell-McCarthy, her ability to make informed decisions is crucial. “I learned how to face problems at Kenyon that I didn’t even know I’d have to deal with,” she said. “It’s all about using what you know to help a client solve a problem—Econ taught me that.” 

Williamson, who is pursuing an MBA part-time alongside her full-time position, agreed. As soon as she began a career at Macy’s, she saw echoes of her Economics coursework everywhere. “The job I have is internal, so it’s all about the business,” she said. “The problems we run into are basically economic challenges. So my background, and what I’m learning now, are really helpful.” Having a worldview informed by economics has prepared these alumnae for success; now, they are excited to see similar outcomes in current Kenyon students. 

When asked for career advice, each panelist suggested students utilize the CDO’s resources. Career counseling, job shadows, internships, and informational interviews with alumni can be the beginning of a successful career in economics or any other field. To search for a work opportunity, find a mentor, or ask for career advice, check out the Kenyon Career Network. Numerous internships and jobs are listed on Symplicity. If you don’t know where to start, or you’d like specific advice, schedule an appointment with the CDO.