Melanie has worked as an economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics since June 2022. Previously she was an intern with the U.S. Department of State and undergraduate research assistant at Virginia Tech.

Employment of economists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,200 openings for economists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Why did you choose AAEC's online master's program?

I chose AAEC's online master's program for its curriculum and flexible structure. The program offered the content I had hoped for, emphasizing data manipulation and econometrics. The online format allowed me to begin my career after my bachelor’s without delay while pursuing an advanced degree. I appreciated the flexibility of the online modality, without compromising the quality of the courses.

How has the program enhanced your knowledge?

This program enhanced my knowledge by teaching me technical skills that built off my theoretical economics background. Upon completion, I'm a much more confident programmer than I was before.

What was your favorite course and/or professor and why?

I believe every professor had a positive impact on my academic career. If I had to choose a class, I'd say Applied Forecasting was my favorite because we were able to work in depth with different kinds of time series models. I want to thank all my professors and instructors!

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