Name: Melina Lopatin Major: Economics (Data Analytics and Economic Analysis Specialization) Current Position/Status: Master of Business Administration Graduate Student
Graduated: 2021
Can you describe your career path from your first job after UC Davis to your current position?
After graduating, my first job was an Assistant Financial Controller. I was promoted from assistant financial controller to Financial Controller. Now I am completing my MBA.
Name: Padmaja Iyer Major: Economics Current Position/Status: Lecturer, San José State University. I am also currently enrolled as a third year PhD candidate at UC Davis in the Geography Graduate Group.
"Our careers usually aren’t linear and predictable. There will inevitably be bumps and detours along the way so don’t be afraid of change, or fear of trying something new or making mistakes."
Name: Christian Damsen Major: Economics Minor: History Current Position/Status: Strategic Account Director at Adobe
"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."
"I also benefited from the research experience I gained through working on my honors thesis at Davis and doing some summer RA work before my senior year."
"Economics courses, especially Game Theory, create a strong conceptual foundation for any analytical work. Being able to do research on your own is also very important in my job."
Name: Cassandra Bicakci Major: Double Major in French and Economics (Specialization in Behavior and Strategy) Current Position/Status: Staff Services Analyst at the Central Valley Flood Protection Board
"This exchange study experience has greatly encouraged me to pursue graduate study in economics and devote myself in economics research."
Name: Pengyue Zhu Major: Non Degree Seeking- University Extension (Economics Department) Current Position/Status: Current second-year Ph.D. student in Economics at Boston University
"In economics, I learned how to analyze data, visually present trends and communicate my reasoning. One thing I really appreciate is that rather than just memorizing information, I was taught how to think."
Name: Eric Ung Major: Economics Minor: Managerial Economics Current Position/Status: Grant and Contracts Accountant at CommuniCare Health Centers
