Sophie Portnoff
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, CA
Year in School: Senior
Interests/Hobbies:
Skiing, gym, reading
Involvements/Employment/Activities:
Economic Outreach Assistant August 2022- May 2025
PR chair Women in Econ 2023-2025
Where is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place on campus is Memorial Union. I love sitting on the terrace either with friends or even studying.
What has been your favorite Econ course?
Econ 522 (Law and Economics) was one of the most interesting classes I’ve taken. It made me think about laws and social situations from an economic lens. Every class felt like solving a new puzzle, which kept it really engaging and fun.
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?
In addition to Economics, I’m majoring in Political Science and earning a certificate in Data Science. I chose to major in Economics first because I found those classes the most interesting. I became curious about how economic policies influence and are influenced by government decisions, which led me to add Political Science. I decided to pursue Data Science to improve my ability to analyze and interpret data. I was also hoping to learn how to use different coding platforms to help me in my future career.
How do you manage your course load?
I have a Google doc that has anything and everything I have to do every day. Without my Google Docs and calendar nothing would get done.
Where did you intern/research, and did you have a good experience? Why or why not?
I had the opportunity to intern at the Wisconsin State Assembly, and it was an incredible experience. I highly recommend it to anyone majoring in both Economics and Political Science. It gave me insight into the legislative process and how it directly impacts economic policy.
What advice do you have for students seeking an internship/research experience?
The process can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to start early and apply to as many places as possible. You might not hear a lot of “yes” at first and that’s completely okay— because eventually, you’ll find the right fit!
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?
After graduation, I’m planning to do a bit of traveling for a few weeks before starting my job at Aon’s. If you’re unsure about what you want to do next, that’s totally okay—you’re still so young, and there’s something exciting about having the freedom to explore different paths.