Economics, a field that encompasses the study of resources, decision-making, and the intricate workings of societies, holds significant importance in our ever-evolving world. From the theoretical foundations laid by prominent philosophers like Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes to the modern-day application of economic principles, this discipline shapes our understanding of how societies function and progress.
In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Clémence, a passionate and multifaceted individual who graduated with a Master of Science in Economics from HEC Lausanne in 2020. Clémence's journey highlights the diverse possibilities that studying economics offers and demonstrates the value of an interdisciplinary approach.
COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND IN WHICH YEAR YOU GRADUATED WITH THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMICS AT HEC LAUSANNE?
I am Clémence, I am 26 years old, I am from Switzerland, and I graduated in 2020 from the Masters in Economics, with a specialization in Behaviour, Economics, and Evolution. After the MScE, I worked a bit in research, then headed off to Mongolia to work with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Gender-Based Violence within a project funded by the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency. After my assignment, I took some time for myself to do things that I’ve always wanted to try. So, I worked in a farm, as a bartender and I realized one of my dream: hiking the GR5 trail. Now, I am working as an ESG analyst at the Ethos Foundation, a Swiss Foundation promoting responsible investment and sustainable development.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ECONOMICS, AND HOW DID THE PROGRAM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR CAREER GOALS?
To be honest, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do so it wasn’t a clear-cut choice. I think what really mattered was that I wanted a degree that would keep doors open for the future and give me tools that I could apply to topics that I was interested in and where I would feel useful. I didn’t want a master’s degree that would put me into a single category of professions and make me too specialized. At that time, I was getting more and more familiar with the climate crisis, social justice, and sustainable development in general, so the content of the courses mattered to me, and the general perspective they gave on how the world functions were important too. Economics started to sound more and more interesting, considering the large spectrum of subjects available.
Also, it was one of the first years where the specialization in BEE was available and I was curious about what such a program had to offer. I was keen on discovering this interdisciplinary approach. I thought it would be more sustainability-oriented than it actually was, but still, getting familiar with other sciences, different perspectives, and ways to tackle an issue was very enriching. It contrasted a lot with what I was used to in HEC.
Lastly, I was told that the MScE was one of the smaller programs offered at HEC, where there was a lot of cooperation between students and the atmosphere was pretty chill. I think this aspect ended up convincing me!
COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US ABOUT A PARTICULAR PROJECT OR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE YOU HAD DURING YOUR MASTER'S PROGRAM THAT WAS ESPRECIALLY IMPACTFUL OR MEMORABLE?
It’s difficult to narrow it down to one thing. Research projects only get as interesting as what you’re willing and what you can put into them. The most notable one that comes to mind is probably the master’s thesis – hated and loved doing it at the same time. I chose to do an academic thesis because I was very curious to have the opportunity to dive into a subject and dedicate a whole semester to one single topic. I chose to design an experiment on motivated reasoning and behavioral change within the climate crisis context. I was so happy to finally be able to use the tools that I learned during the first 3 semesters toward something that was meaningful to me. However, I underestimated the energy that a thesis (academic or through an internship) required. I think it is also during this project that I felt the biggest gap between what I wanted to do and pursue, and what my degree was leading me to (in terms of a traditional career path as an economist). I already knew that I didn’t want to be an economist (again, as in the traditional profession), but this really showed me. This almost got me to quit before handing in my thesis. Now, I realize that the skills I acquired and the tools that were taught are indeed useful, even if the theoretical framework that came with is hum... dusty?
WHAT SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE DID YOU GAIN DURING YOUR MASTER'S PROGRAM THAT YOU USE ON A REGULAR BASIS IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?
Definitely quantitative analysis skills and critical thinking. I don’t perform any sophisticated econometrics models or whatever, but the ability to understand data, know how it works, what assumptions are sound to make, or what bias might appear are key in an analyst job. Critical thinking is also always required. For example, we spend a lot of time analyzing companies’ sustainability reports and it’s important to differentiate what are the true efforts the company is making compared to the greenwashing. It’s a constant learning journey, where you familiarize yourself with new topics and new regulations on a regular basis. It’s important to be able to see the bigger picture while identifying shortcomings.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT STUDENTS IN THE MASTER'S PROGRAM IN ECONOMICS, BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES AND CAREER JOURNEY?
Take your time to figure out what you want, what you’re good at, and what really makes you thrive. You don’t have to have it all figured it out by the time you get your diploma. Studying economics does not have to make you an economist if you do not want to. If you don’t know what you want to do, that’s okay. Take a break, go on a solo trip, work in a farm, or do something that is completely unrelated to this field for a moment, and you’ll figure it out :)
Also, keep in mind that university is a particular world. You’re in a fantastic environment, you will have great opportunities, and, at the same time, it’s a very particular mindset, kind of wrapped in a bubble that sometimes fails to meet the reality of the world. Again, use your critical thinking, don’t be afraid to challenge what is presented to you, and challenge your professors. That’s also how new ideas emerge and how change can be initiated.
So, all in all, I’d say: Don’t be afraid to try new things, even when it means being in a less comfortable position for a moment, and don’t settle for anything less than what makes you thrive.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Clémence Gallopin for generously sharing her valuable insights and experiences with us. Her journey and reflections provide valuable inspiration and guidance for aspiring economists and individuals interested in the intersection of economics and personal growth.
Author: Ümmügülsüm Çavuş
