College Ambassador Spotlight - Kaiyi Wang

Why did you choose economics?
Originally, I was stuck between choosing Finance or Economics, but after talking with Professor McLaughlin, I decided on Economics B.S. Studying economics provides more flexibility, covering larger topics such as institutional functions and decision making among individuals, governments, institutions, and society as whole, while still providing the option to specialize in various areas. The interdisciplinary aspect of Economics also stands out to me as a way to not only learn about the economy but the world as a whole. 

What class in your major has been your favorite and why?

I really like Econometrics because of how analytical and grounded it is. I can sometimes feel a bit lost in theory classes, but Econometrics is a very applied class and also helped me learn a lot about research in Economics. In class, we learned about different research models and how to use them to approach different problems, which was really interesting!

Which class outside your major has been your favorite and why?
I took Intro to Astronomy to fulfill the UB required science curriculum, and I definitely recommend it. I learned so much about outer space and all the unbelievable bizarre wonders that really exist. Some topics were so bizarre, it felt like I was learning fiction! There was also a lab where students were able to use the observatory to see stars and planets. 

What is your top advice for students in the Economics major?

I think I would have two. The first piece of advice would be to pay extra attention in fundamental classes since higher-level classes often build upon what you’ve learned in previous semesters. Next would be to get to know your peers! Especially during later courses, class sizes can get small so take the time to get to know your classmates and professors and you could find a mini community within the department.

What is one thing you recommend students do while at UB?
Explore a lot and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! This advice goes for academics as well as socially and professionally. UB has a lot of resources, and I think taking the time to familiarize yourself with them can be really rewarding. Try new things! Finding out what you don’t like is just as important as finding out what you do.

Pet names: Pluto (cat) and Venus (snake)