Staff Spotlight - Jordan Chen

What was your undergraduate major, and why did you choose it?

JC: I always loved art class the best growing up, but my ever-rational engineer father strongly encouraged me to find a way to combine art with computers, thus my Graphic Design major was born! Although I hated the classes that attempted to teach me how to make websites, I did enjoy my degree on the whole. Even though I ended up deciding later on that the design world was way too competitive for someone like myself, I still have a great appreciation for good design and enjoy employing some of the things I learned during the pursuit of my degree. (There’s a < .01% chance that – at any given time – I will provide you with an Excel spreadsheet that has NOT been formatted at least in some way to “look/work better.” 😉)

What was your favorite class and why?

JC: Although it took place insanely early in the day (you should be thankful that UB starts their classes at 8:00 instead of 7:40am!), I absolutely loved my Typography class. To this day, I carry strong opinions on certain fonts (and their inevitable mis- or over-uses), passed down by our opinionated professor. He made the subject matter interesting and I loved learning about the practicality and intentionality of choosing a typeface for a project, even before you get to more “artsy” elements. (Maybe this class is why I don’t even use the default fonts in Word or Outlook… 🤔)

What is your favorite little-known fact about the Department of Economics?

JC: That we’re on the fourth floor of Fronczak hall! This may sound silly, but since so much of Fronczak hall is dominated by the Physics department, people are often surprised that Economics is here, too! If you’re coming for a class to rooms 408, 422, or 454, you’ll be in our department’s area! Stop by and say hi!

What is your top piece of advice for students in the economics major?

JC: What you get out of your degree (and your time here at UB) is directly proportional to the effort you put into it. Are you confused about a topic being discussed in your course? Head to your professor’s office hours! They’re here to help you understand the material and they want to see you succeed! Are you looking for something cool to add to your resume? Become a college ambassador or apply for one of our departmental scholarships/awards! P.S. The last thing I’ll say is to do your best to avoid using generative AI for assignments unless you’re specifically instructed to do so. You are valuable because you’re a human who can expound on interesting topics on your own — plus, your cognitive abilities will only thank you for this! Critical thinking is key!

What is one thing that you recommend students do while at UB?

JC: Get involved in something you care about! There are so many clubs and events here at UB – you’re bound to find one that speaks to you!