The U of M Economics Society (UMES) hosted a graduate student panel in collaboration with the Economics Graduate Students Association to help undergraduate students understand what to expect in graduate-level economics.
UMES president Abby Procter expressed the idea for the event came directly from student feedback. “At our first open meeting, it was brought to our attention that many students were interested in pursuing graduate studies and would benefit from hearing firsthand perspectives from current grad students,” Procter said. “Our goal with this event was to gather questions from our members and have the graduate students answer them to provide our members with the academic counselling they sought.”
The session was organized as a come-and-go event to accommodate students’ schedules. Procter mentioned the society wanted to create a space where members could ask questions and receive practical guidance about research, workload and transitioning into graduate programs. “Participation in events at the U of M is something a lot of groups struggle with,” she said. “UMES is redefining what it means to be an academic club by providing social and networking opportunities as well as engaging content.”
Questions from attendees focused on workload and research direction. “This event deconstructed misconceptions around choosing your research and how to manage the workload,” she said. “All of the graduate students emphasized the importance of pursuing a research topic you are genuinely passionate about, [as] you are responsible for shaping your own academic journey.”
She said early engagement with research and graduate-level discussions gives students practical preparation for future goals. “Our society provides a space for students to engage with research-based learning while in their undergrad and also leverage social and networking opportunities,” she said. “There’s no single path to success in economics […] What matters most is curiosity, persistence and aligning your choices with what genuinely interests you.”
According to Procter, feedback after the event was positive. “Many students appreciated the opportunity to hear honest, real experiences from graduate students and found the discussion helpful in clarifying what graduate-level economics entails,” she said. “Participants expressed that events like this make the path to graduate studies feel more approachable by addressing questions about research, coursework and career planning that aren’t covered in class.”
Procter, on behalf of UMES, encouraged students to reach out to [email protected] so “we can connect them with tailored support [such as] career opportunities, economic insights, scholarships, research opportunities and more,” she said.
There will be a follow-up event for new and continuing students titled “Why Econ?” on Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. in 217 Russell Building. The session will feature economics professors and student representatives who will discuss the value of studying economics, potential career paths and tips for academic success within the program.
