Lily Hamacher
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Year in School: Junior
Interests/Hobbies:
Reading, lifting, running track, traveling
Involvements/Employment/Activities:
Women in Econ Trip Chair, Federal Reserve Challenge Club Senior Research Analyst, Wisconsin Track Club.
Where is your favorite place on campus and why?
The terrace on a warm and sunny day. It’s the perfect place to do homework, gather with friends, people-watch, eat food, and soak up the sun.
What has been your favorite Econ course?
Econ 410 (econometrics). I thought the techniques were really cool and Professor McKelvey is fantastic.
If you have any other majors or certificates in addition to Econ, how did you decide to add Econ or add the other major/certificate?
I have a math major because I really like math and was considering grad school for Econ, for which math would have been very important. I also have the business certificate to gain the skills necessary to succeed in the business world, the PEPP certificate because I wanted a philosophy certificate but they don’t offer one, and I will be adding the entrepreneurship certificate because I would love to start my own business some day.
How do you manage your course load?
I keep track of all my assignments in a planner and organize them according to due date/priority level on a weekly basis. I also like to treat school like a 9-5 where I work consistently during the day and take the evenings to pursue other interests and unwind.
Where did you intern/research, and did you have a good experience? Why or why not?
I did research for a business coaching company based out of Jackson, WY. It was hard and a lot of work, but ultimately rewarding and eye-opening—I do not want to pursue research as a career! (more on that later). I also did an extensive research project while on exchange in the Netherlands with two of my peers. This was a great experience. I really enjoyed the collaborative process of continual improvement and producing something original that I am proud of.
What advice do you have for students seeking an internship/research experience?
For internships, apply early! Don’t wait until a few days before the deadline to apply because by then, they have probably already started interviewing and selecting candidates. Early bird gets the worm. For research experience, email professors explaining why you’re genuinely interested in their work and why you have the necessary skills and experience to be a contributor. It’s quality over quantity. Also, look outside of the econ department; there are lots of opportunities in other disciplines and colleges. For example, I got the opportunity to be an RA for a professor in the Urban Land Economics department of the Business school by sending a cold email and asking to meet with them.
Do you know what you want to do after graduation? If yes, what? If not, what advice would you give to another student who may not know either?
Currently, I’m thinking that I want to work for a couple years, either in consulting or at a startup, and then go to grad school for an MBA. But, who knows where I’ll end up–I change my mind frequently. My advice is not to be afraid to pivot and explore something completely new if you feel unsatisfied with where you’re currently at. I spent the last few years preparing myself for an econ PhD, but I realized that’s not what I want anymore, and that’s ok. I’m now exploring the business and entrepreneurship world to see if that’s something I want to pursue.