Viet-Long Nguyen: Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance
"Studying Economics at UC Davis has trained me to analyze policy choices in terms of trade offs and assumptions, and taught me that usually the right solution is that “it depends”. Thinking like an economist is a foundational skill for addressing our world’s most pressing issues through multidimensional solutions, whether you’re in the public or private sector."
Name: Viet-Long Nguyen
Major: Economics (Specialization in Data Analytics and Economics Analysis), International Relations
Minor: Professional Writing
Current Position/Status: Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance
Graduated: 2022
What do you do in your job? What is your work like?
I’m currently a Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance. This state government entity serves as the fiscal advisor to the Governor and promotes long-term economic sustainability and responsible resource allocation through the state’s annual financial plan. I have been in my role since October 2023. My responsibilities include analyzing budget requests, presenting the Administration’s budget proposals in hearings before the Legislature, analyzing the fiscal impacts of legislation, and providing administrative oversight over departmental budgets in my portfolio. My budget portfolio touches on water and environmental policy.
If relevant, is your current job related to Economics and/or the skills you learned from the Economics major?
My work connects deeply to Economics because at the core of my role is the allocation of the state’s finite resources and virtually all budget analysis draws on concepts related to Economics. Water is a great example of a public good that is facing overwhelming demand while water supplies are ever more scarce.
How did your UC Davis education prepare you for this work?
My UC Davis education has been very helpful because I’m comfortable working with numbers due to my completed coursework. I regularly use research and statistical concepts to ground my analyses.
How long did it take you to get a job after graduating UC Davis?
At the time of graduation in Spring 2022 I had obtained limited-term employment as an Executive Fellow at the Delta Stewardship Council. The program lasted from October 2022 through August 2023 and placed Fellows in various state agencies and departments in the state executive branch.