Logan Hansen

After graduating from George Mason with an undergraduate degree in economics in May 2020, Logan began working full-time as a program manager at the Mercatus Center. This professional experience solidified his interest in economics and led him to continue his formal education through the MA program. 

What was your specific area of study and how did you choose it? 

The MA program allowed me to pursue a course of study best suited to my interests. I studied economic theory in fields such as Austrian economics, comparative systems, and family and gender economics. I also received hands-on quantitative training in causal inference using Stata. 

If you completed a dissertation, thesis, or capstone, please tell us about it. 

The MA program capstone provided the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in economic theory, quantitative methods, and research skills. For my project portfolio, I chose to examine the ways in which the Austrian school's microeconomic and macroeconomic emphases differ from standard neoclassical analysis. I also focused on research in the field of family economics, exploring the roles of flexibility, fertility, and family life in impacting labor supply and wage dynamics. 

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you? 

For the past 9 years, my time at George Mason has included being an undergraduate student, working full time on campus, and now pursuing an MA. Throughout this time, CHSS, and specifically George Mason Economics, has been my intellectual home, shaping me into the student and learner that I am today. It's hard to overstate the positive impact of my experiences here. 

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your George Mason career? 

There are several professors that I would like to personally thank for their contributions to my experience in the program. Chris Coyne, the director of the online MA in economics, has put together a wonderfully rigorous yet flexible program for students. Chris and Pete Boettke have each designed exceptional courses in fields of their specialty, such as Austrian Economics and Comparative Economic Systems. Together, Chris and Pete have served as academic role models for me during my time at George Mason. Their intellectual honesty and curiosity are worthy of imitation by students in any discipline. I'm also especially grateful for my courses with Karras Lambert, whose dedication to providing detailed feedback and personalized suggestions for inquiry helped deepen my understanding and encouraged me to pursue my interests in the material beyond the scope of the classroom. 

Why did you choose George Mason for your graduate studies? 

I originally chose to attend George Mason as an undergraduate because of its unique style of economic thought, which blends insights from the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy. I am immensely grateful to have learned directly from the same leading scholars in these fields who initially inspired me as a youthful student to study economics, and they continue to teach me each time we interact. 

After my undergraduate degree, I began working a full-time job with an irregular schedule and significant travel components. The flexible design of the online MA program worked perfectly for these circumstances and allowed me to continue my studies within this department. 

Which accomplishments during your time at George Mason are you most proud of? 

The knowledge of economic theory and quantitative skills that I gained along the way were well worth the time and effort that the program required. However, I'm especially proud of having completed the MA while working full time and persevering amidst all the joys and trials of life. 

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students? 

Always do the readings and never lose your sense of wonder about the science of economics. These often go hand in hand, as the more you read, the more you'll learn and be amazed. 

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals? 

Since graduating from George Mason as an undergraduate, I have been working at the Mercatus Center managing programs that help introduce other students and professionals from around the world to the ideas of George Mason Economics and the intersection of the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy that we explored in this MA program. I enjoy these types of project management roles and using the toolkit of economics as a lens to see the world and solve problems.